As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2007
1933 Act Registration No. 33-17619
1940 Act Registration No. 811-5349
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
 
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 þ
Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 þ
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 þ
Amendment No. 150 þ
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
 
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s Telephone Number,
including Area Code 312-655-4400
 
     
Peter V. Bonanno, Esq.
  Copies to:
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
  Kenneth L. Greenberg, Esq.
One New York Plaza — 37 th Floor
  Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
New York, New York 10004
  One Logan Square
 
  18 th and Cherry Streets
 
  Philadelphia, PA 19103
(Name and address of agent for service)
   
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
þ   Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
o   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
o   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
 
o   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
 
o   On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
o   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
 
 

 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND AND
STRUCTURED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Class A, Class B, Class C, Service and Institutional Shares

Supplement dated January 19, 2007 to the

Prospectus dated January 19, 2007


The Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund have been created in connection with the proposed acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund, respectively (each a “Fund”), of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (“Enterprise Trust”).

It is anticipated that at a shareholder meeting in the second quarter of 2007, the shareholders of each Fund will be asked to approve a proposed agreement and plan of reorganization whereby the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund would be acquired by the Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund, respectively.

The Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund are each a newly organized fund that has been created for purposes of acquiring the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund, respectively. If the reorganization is approved by the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund’s respective shareholders, for purposes of the reorganization, the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund will each be considered the accounting survivor of their respective reorganization, and accordingly, certain financial highlights and other information relating to the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund have been included in the attached prospectus and presented as if the Enterprise Trust reorganizations have been consummated. However, as of the date of this prospectus, the reorganizations have not yet been approved by shareholders and have not occurred.

AXASTK 1-07

538575


 

Prospectus
  Class A, B
and C Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund

n
 Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM ® ”) serves as investment adviser to the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   QUANTITATIVE STYLE FUNDS   

  GSAM’s Quantitative Investment Philosophy:
  GSAM’s quantitative style of funds management emphasizes the three building blocks of active management: fundamentally-based stock selection , careful portfolio construction and efficient implementation.

   GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED FUNDS   

  Step 1: Stock Selection
  The Investment Adviser attempts to forecast expected returns on approximately 10,000 stocks on a daily basis using proprietary CORE SM (“Computer-Optimized, Research-Enhanced”) models developed by the Global Quantitative Equity (“GQE”) team. These quantitative models are based on six investment themes—Valuation, Momentum, Analyst Sentiment, Profitability, Earnings Quality and Management Impact. The Valuation theme attempts to capture potential mispricings of securities by comparing measures of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value. The Momentum theme attempts to forecast companies’ future returns based on their past stock price performance, measured over various periods. The Analyst Sentiment theme looks at how Wall Street analysts’ views about a company’s earnings and prospects are changing over time. The Profitability theme assesses a company’s profit margins and operating efficiency relative to its peers, and views those that are more profitable as more attractive. Finally, the Management Impact theme evaluates a company’s management strategy through the company’s investing and financing behavior.
 
  Step 2: Portfolio Construction
  The Investment Adviser uses a proprietary risk model to help manage the expected deviation of the portfolio’s returns from those of the benchmark. The model attempts to identify and measure the comparative risks between equity investments as accurately as possible by including all the above themes used in the return model, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. In this process, the Investment Adviser seeks to manage risk by overweighting stocks with positive characteristics identified in the return models and underweighting stocks

 
1


 

  with negative characteristics relative to their benchmark weights, while maintaining other characteristics such as size and sector weights close to the benchmark. A computer optimizer evaluates many different security combinations (considering many possible weightings) in an effort to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each Structured Fund’s benchmark.
 
  Step 3: Efficient Implementation
  The portfolio management team considers transaction costs at each step of the investment process. The team incorporates expected portfolio turnover when assigning weights to the variables in the multifactor model. The team also factors expected execution costs into portfolio construction and evaluates multiple trading options. The team then selects the trading strategy it believes will minimize the total transaction costs to the Fund.
 
 
  Goldman Sachs Structured Funds are fully invested, broadly diversified and offer consistent overall portfolio characteristics. They may serve as good foundations on which to build a portfolio.


  References in this Prospectus to a Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.

 
2


 

 
  Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Value Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap value stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Value Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not
*   To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
3


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
continued

  required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $94 million and $3.0 billion.
 
  As described in “General Investment Management Approach”, the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of small cap companies with low earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.
 
  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
4


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Growth Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $90 million and $3.0 billion.
*   To the extent required by SEC regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
5


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
continued

  As discussed in “General Investment Management Approach”, the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of small cap companies with above average earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.
 
  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
6


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/ semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. Each Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Funds publish on their website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which a Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

         
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited Structured Structured
only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Practices    
Borrowings
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
   
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
   
Equity Swaps*
   
Foreign Currency Transactions**
   
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
   • 1    • 1
Investment Company Securities (including iShares SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts )
  10   10
Options on Foreign Currencies 2
   
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 3
   
Repurchase Agreements
   
Securities Lending
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Unseasoned Companies
   
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
   
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
   

 
  *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
**
Limited by the amount a Fund invests in foreign securities.
   1
The Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
   2
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
   3
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
7


 

         
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; Structured Structured
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Securities    
American and Global Depositary Receipts
   
Bank Obligations 4
   
Convertible Securities 5
   
Corporate Debt Obligations 4
   
Equity Investments
  80+   80+
Fixed-Income Securities 4,6
  20   20
Foreign Securities 7
   
Real Estate Investment Trusts
   
Structured Securities *
   
Temporary Investments
  35   35
U.S. Government Securities 4
   

 
   *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
    4
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities and limited to cash equivalents only. The Funds may invest in bank obligations issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
    5
The Funds have no minimum rating criteria for convertible debt securities.
    6
Except as noted under “Convertible Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
    7
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
 
8


 

 
Principal Risks of the Funds

Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.

         
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
•   Applicable Fund Fund

Foreign
   
 
Stock
   
 
Derivatives
   
 
Interest Rate
   
 
Management
   
 
Market
   
 
Liquidity
   
 
Investment Style
   
 
Small Cap
   

 
9


 

n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in small and mid-capitalization stocks and REITs will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which GSAM or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A

 
10


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS

Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
11


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED   

  The Funds have not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Fund”), respectively. Each Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of each Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization each Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAM.
 
12


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Class A, B and C Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of a Fund.

                         
Structured Small Cap Value Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
                       
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    5.5% 1     None       None  
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2
    None       5.0% 3     1.0% 4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None       None       None  
Redemption Fees
    None       None       None  
Exchange Fees
    None       None       None  
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 5
                       
Management Fees 6*
    0.85%       0.85%       0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 7*
    0.26%       0.26%       0.26%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses *
    1.36%       2.11%       2.11%  

See page 15 for all other footnotes.

  The “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  
                         
Structured Small Cap Value Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 5
                       
Management Fees 6
    0.81%       0.81%       0.81%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 7
    0.19%       0.19%       0.19%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
    1.25%       2.00%       2.00%  

 
13


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued

                         
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
                       
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    5.5% 1     None       None  
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)  2
    None       5.0% 3     1.0% 4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None       None       None  
Redemption Fees
    None       None       None  
Exchange Fees
    None       None       None  
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 5
                       
Management Fees 6*
    0.85%       0.85%       0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 7*
    0.37%       0.37%       0.37%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses *
    1.47%       2.22%       2.22%  

See page 15 for all other footnotes.

  The “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  
                         
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 5
                       
Management Fees 6
    0.81%       0.81%       0.81%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 7
    0.19%       0.19%       0.19%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
    1.25%       2.00%       2.00%  

 
14


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

1
The maximum sales charge is a percentage of the offering price. Under certain circumstances, as described in the Shareholder Guide, the maximum sales charge may be reduced or waived entirely. A CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions (within 18 months of purchase) of Class A Shares sold without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more.
2
The maximum CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of the NAV at the time of the redemption or the NAV when the shares were originally purchased.
3
A CDSC is imposed upon Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase at a rate of 5% in the first year, declining to 1% in the sixth year, and eliminated thereafter.
4
A CDSC of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
5
The Funds’ annual operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
6
The Investment Adviser is entitled to management fees from the Funds at annual rates equal to the following percentages of the average daily net assets of the Funds:

                 
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85 %   First $2 Billion    
      0.77 %   Over $2 Billion    
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85 %   First $2 Billion    
      0.77 %   Over $2 Billion    
 

The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Investment Adviser may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
7
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.19% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s Class A, B and C Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to the following annual percentage rates of each Fund’s average daily net assets:
                 
Other
Fund Expenses

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.004%          
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.004%          
 

These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.
 
15


 

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, B or C Shares of a 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 a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

                                   
Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Structured Small Cap Value
                               
Class A Shares
  $ 681     $ 957     $ 1,254     $ 2,095  
Class B Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 714     $ 961     $ 1,334     $ 2,250  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 214     $ 661     $ 1,134     $ 2,250  
Class C Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 314     $ 661     $ 1,134     $ 2,441  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 214     $ 661     $ 1,134     $ 2,441  

Structured Small Cap Growth
                               
Class A Shares
  $ 691     $ 989     $ 1,309     $ 2,211  
Class B Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 725     $ 994     $ 1,390     $ 2,365  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 225     $ 694     $ 1,190     $ 2,365  
Class C Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 325     $ 694     $ 1,190     $ 2,554  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 225     $ 694     $ 1,190     $ 2,554  

The hypothetical example assumes that a CDSC will not apply to redemptions of Class A Shares within the first 18 months.

Certain institutions that sell Fund shares and/or their salespersons may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
16


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”)
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
  Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth

  GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAM had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of each Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable

 
17


 

  monthly, at the annual rates listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):

                 
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

  The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds will be available in the Funds’ annual report dated August 31, 2007.

   FUND MANAGERS   

  Quantitative Domestic Equity Portfolio Management Team
  n   A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
  n   More than $100 billion in equities currently under management, including over $52 billion in US equities

             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Ms. Brown joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1984 to 1998, she was the director of Quantitative Equity Research and served on the Investment Policy Committee at Prudential Securities Equity Research.

Robert C. Jones
Chief Investment Officer
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Mr. Jones joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1989.

  Melissa Brown, CFA, is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for US portfolios. She is also a member of the GQE Investment Policy Committee. Robert C. Jones, CFA, is a Managing Director and Chair of the GQE Investment Policy Committee, which oversees the portfolio management process. He currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer for the GQE Team. The computer optimizer constructs the portfolio based on the team’s models and design and no one person
 
18


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  on the team has a subjective override of the computer optimizer process, except in very specific limited cases.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as each Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The

 
19


 

  results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. A Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for each Fund to the extent that the Funds engage in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of the cash received as collateral for loaned securities. In addition, the Funds may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of

 
20


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation , and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”), the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and GSVIT and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were also named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and charges; and reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this

 
21


 

  decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
22


 

 
  Dividends
 
  Each Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the same Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, your dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:

         
Investment Capital Gains
Fund Income Dividends Distributions

Structured Small Cap Value
  Annually   Annually

Structured Small Cap Growth
  Annually   Annually

  From time to time a portion of a Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of a Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
23


 

 
  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES   

  How Can I Purchase Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Funds?
  You may purchase shares of the Funds through:
  n   Authorized Dealers;
  n   Goldman Sachs; or
  n   Directly from the Trust.

  In order to make an initial investment in a Fund, you must furnish to the Fund, Goldman Sachs or your Authorized Dealer the information in the Account Application. An order will be processed upon receipt of payment.
 
  To Open an Account:
  n   Complete the Account Application
  n   Mail your payment and Account Application to:
      Your Authorized Dealer
      —  Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to your Authorized Dealer
      —  Your Authorized Dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly (within three business days) to the Fund
      or
      Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 219711, Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
      —  Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to Goldman Sachs Funds — (Name of Fund and Class of Shares)
      —  Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”), the Funds’ sub-transfer agent, will not accept checks drawn on foreign banks, third-party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Funds may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.
      —  Federal funds wire, Automated Clearing House Network (“ACH”) transfer or bank wires should be sent to State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) (each Fund’s custodian). Please call the Funds at 1-800-526-7384 to get detailed instructions on how to wire your money.

 
24


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?

                 
Initial Additional*

Regular Accounts
    $1,000       $50  

Employee Sponsored Benefit Plans
    $250     No Minimum

Uniform Gift/ Transfer to Minor (UTMA/UGMA)
    $250       $50  

Individual Retirement Accounts and Coverdell ESAs
    $250       $50  

Automatic Investment Plans
    $250       $50  

 
    *
No minimum additional investment requirements are imposed with respect to investors trading through intermediaries who aggregate shares in omnibus or similar accounts (e.g., retirement plan accounts, wrap program accounts or traditional brokerage house accounts).

  The minimum investment requirement may be waived for certain mutual fund “wrap” programs at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for subsequent investments.
 
  What Alternative Sales Arrangements Are Available?
  The Funds offer three classes of shares through this Prospectus.

         

Maximum Amount You Can Buy In The Aggregate Across Funds
  Class A   No limit
   
    Class B   $100,000*
   
    Class C   $1,000,000*

Initial Sales Charge
  Class A   Applies to purchases of less than $1 million—varies by size of investment with a maximum of 5.5%
   
    Class B   None
   
    Class C   None

CDSC
  Class A   1.00% on certain investments of $1 million or more if you sell within 18 months
   
    Class B   6 year declining CDSC with a maximum of 5%
   
    Class C   1% if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase

Conversion Feature
  Class A   None
   
    Class B   Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after 8 years
   
    Class C   None

 
    *
No additional Class B Shares or Class C Shares may be purchased by an investor either in an initial purchase or in subsequent purchases if the current market value of the shares owned and/or purchased is equal to or exceeds $100,000 in the case of Class B Shares or $1,000,000 in the case of Class C Shares.
 
25


 

  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of shares of a Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of a Fund.
  n   Close a Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.
  n   Modify or waive the minimum investment requirements.
  n   Modify the manner in which shares are offered.
  n   Modify the sales charge rates applicable to future purchases of shares.

  Generally, the Funds will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Funds.
 
  The Funds may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Funds to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for investors who open accounts with the Funds. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Funds. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Funds reserve the right to (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Funds; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Funds are unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.

 
26


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for a share class (as adjusted for any applicable sales charge). The price you receive when you sell shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for a share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge (e.g., CDSC’s). Each class calculates its NAV as follows:

     
 

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  In the event that a Fund invests a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Funds, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining a Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.

 
27


 

  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.
 
  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).
  n   NAV per share of each share class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or other later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV (as adjusted for any applicable sales charge) next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form. Redemption proceeds are reduced by any applicable CDSC.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than a Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if

 
28


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether a Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-526-7384.
 
  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days a Fund is closed. As a result, if a Fund holds foreign securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

   COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class A Shares?
  The offering price of Class A Shares of each Fund is the next determined NAV per share plus an initial sales charge paid to Goldman Sachs at the time of purchase of shares. The sales charge varies depending upon the amount you purchase. In some cases, described below, the initial sales charge may be eliminated altogether, and the offering price will be the NAV per share. The current sales charges and commissions paid to Authorized Dealers for Class A Shares of the Funds are as follows:

                         
Sales Charge Maximum Dealer
Sales Charge as as Percentage Allowance as
Amount of Purchase Percentage of of Net Amount Percentage of
(including sales charge, if any) Offering Price Invested Offering Price*

Less than $50,000
    5.50 %     5.82 %     5.00 %
$50,000 up to (but less than) $100,000
    4.75       4.99       4.00  
$100,000 up to (but less than) $250,000
    3.75       3.90       3.00  
$250,000 up to (but less than) $500,000
    2.75       2.83       2.25  
$500,000 up to (but less than) $1 million
    2.00       2.04       1.75  
$1 million or more
    0.00 **     0.00 **     ***  

 
    *
Dealer’s allowance may be changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire sales charge may be allowed to Authorized Dealers. Authorized Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is allowed may be deemed to be “underwriters” under the Securities Act of 1933.
  **
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase of Class A Shares of $1 million or more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed in the event of certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase.
***
The Distributor may pay a one-time commission to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more of shares of the Funds equal to 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $2 million, and 0.25% thereafter. In instances where an Authorized Dealer (including Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management Unit) agrees to waive its receipt of the one-time commission described above, the CDSC on Class A Shares, generally, will be waived. The Distributor may also pay, with respect to all or a portion of the amount purchased, a commission in accordance with the foregoing schedule to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $500,000 or more by certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations investing in the Funds which satisfy the criteria set forth below in “When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?” or $1 million or more by certain “wrap” accounts. Purchases by such plans will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge, but if shares are redeemed within 18 months after the end of
 
29


 

  the calendar month in which such purchase was made, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan, the plan sponsor or the third-party administrator. In addition, Authorized Dealers will remit to the Distributor such payments received in connection with “wrap” accounts in the event that shares are redeemed within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made.

  You should note that the actual sales charge that appears in your mutual fund transaction confirmation may differ slightly from the rate disclosed above in the Prospectus due to rounding calculations.
 
  As indicated in the above chart, and as discussed further below and in the section titled “How Can the Sales Charge on Class A Shares Be Reduced?”, you may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to pay reduced sales charges on your purchases of Class A Shares or have those charges waived entirely. To take advantage of these discounts, you or your Authorized Dealer or financial intermediary must notify the Funds’ Transfer Agent at the time of your purchase order that a discount may apply to your current purchases. You may also be required to provide appropriate documentation to receive those discounts, including:

  (i) Information or records regarding shares of the Funds or other Goldman Sachs Funds held in all accounts ( e.g., retirement accounts) of the shareholder at the financial intermediary;
 
  (ii) Information or records regarding shares of the Funds or other Goldman Sachs Funds held in any account of the shareholder at another financial intermediary; and
 
  (iii) Information or records regarding shares of the Funds or other Goldman Sachs Funds held at any financial intermediary by related parties of the shareholder, such as members of the same family or household.

  You should note in particular that, if the Funds’ Transfer Agent is properly notified, under the “Right of Accumulation” described below, the “Amount of Purchase” in the chart on the preceding page will be deemed to include all Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds that were acquired by purchase or exchange, and that were subject to a sales charge, that are held at the time of purchase by any of the following persons: (i) you, your spouse and your children; and (ii) any trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account. This includes, for example, any Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares held at a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary other than the one handling your current purchase. In some circumstances, other Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares may be aggregated with your current purchase under the Right of Accumulation as described in the Additional Statement. For purposes of determining the “Amount of Purchase,” all Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares held at the time of purchase will be valued at their current market value.

 
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  You should also note that if you provide the Transfer Agent a signed written Statement of Intention to invest (not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions) in the aggregate $50,000 or more in Class A Shares of one or more Goldman Sachs Funds within a 13-month period, any investments you make during the 13 months will be treated as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum and you will receive the discounted sales load based on your investment commitment. You must, however, inform the Transfer Agent that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Statement of Intention.
 
  In addition to the information provided in this Prospectus and the Additional Statement, information about sales charge discounts is available from your Authorized Dealer or financial intermediary and, free of charge, on the Funds’ website at http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Class A Shares’ CDSC?
  Purchases of $1 million or more of Class A Shares will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem shares within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed. The CDSC may not be imposed if your Authorized Dealer enters into an agreement with the Distributor to return all or an applicable prorated portion of its commission to the Distributor. The CDSC is waived on redemptions in certain circumstances. See “In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?” below.
 
  When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?
  Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to the following individuals and entities:
  n   Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of these individuals;
  n   Qualified employee benefit plans of Goldman Sachs;
  n   Trustees or directors of investment companies for which Goldman Sachs or an affiliate acts as sponsor;
  n   Any employee or registered representative of any Authorized Dealer or their respective spouses, children and parents;
  n   Banks, trust companies or other types of depository institutions;
  n   Any state, county or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof, which is prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of shares of a Fund;

 
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  n   Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations (“Employee Benefit Plans”) that:
     n   Buy shares of Goldman Sachs Funds worth $500,000 or more; or
     n   Have 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase; or
     n   Certify that they expect to have annual plan purchases of shares of Goldman Sachs Funds of $200,000 or more; or
     n   Are provided administrative services by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plans; or
     n   Have at the time of purchase aggregate assets of at least $2,000,000;
  n   Non-qualified pension plans sponsored by employers who also sponsor qualified plans that qualify for and invest in Goldman Sachs Funds at NAV without the payment of any sales charge;
  n   Insurance company separate accounts that make the Funds available as underlying investments in certain group annuity contracts;
  n   “Wrap” accounts for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial institutions or financial planners, provided they have entered into an agreement with GSAM specifying aggregate minimums and certain operating policies and standards;
  n   Registered investment advisers investing for accounts for which they receive asset-based fees;
  n   Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion;
  n   Shareholders receiving distributions from a qualified Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds and reinvesting such proceeds in a Goldman Sachs IRA;
  n   Shareholders who roll over distributions from any tax-qualified Employee Benefit Plan or tax-sheltered annuity to an IRA which invests in the Goldman Sachs Funds if the tax-qualified Employee Benefit Plan or tax-sheltered annuity receives administrative services provided by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plan or annuity;
  n   State sponsored 529 college savings plans; or
  n   Investors who qualify under other exemptions that are stated from time to time in the Additional Statement.

  You must certify eligibility for any of the above exemptions on your Account Application and notify the Fund if you no longer are eligible for the exemption. The Fund will grant you an exemption subject to confirmation of your entitlement. You may be charged a fee if you effect your transactions through a broker or agent.
 
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  How Can The Sales Charge On Class A Shares Be Reduced?
  n   Right of Accumulation: When buying Class A Shares in Goldman Sachs Funds, your current aggregate investment determines the initial sales load you pay. You may qualify for reduced sales charges when the current market value of holdings across Class A, Class B and/or Class C shares, plus new purchases, reaches $50,000 or more. Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any of the Goldman Sachs Funds may be combined under the Right of Accumulation. For purposes of applying the Right of Accumulation, shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Funds purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, under some circumstances, Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Funds and Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, and certain other organizations may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the Right of Accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. To qualify for a reduced sales load, you or your Authorized Dealer must notify the Funds’ Transfer Agent at the time of investment that a quantity discount is applicable. Use of this option is subject to a check of appropriate records. The Additional Statement has more information about the Right of Accumulation.
  n   Statement of Intention: You may obtain a reduced sales charge by means of a written Statement of Intention which expresses your non-binding commitment to invest (not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions) in the aggregate $50,000 or more within a period of 13 months in Class A Shares of one or more of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Any investments you make during the period will receive the discounted sales load based on the full amount of your investment commitment. At your request, purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included; however, capital appreciation does not apply toward these combined purchases. If the investment commitment of the Statement of Intention is not met prior to the expiration of the 13-month period, the entire amount will be subject to the higher applicable sales charge unless the failure to meet the investment commitment is due to the death of the investor. By selecting the Statement of Intention, you authorize the Transfer Agent to escrow and redeem Class A Shares in your account to pay this additional charge. The Additional Statement has more information about the Statement of Intention, which you should read carefully.

 
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   COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS B SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class B Shares?
  You may purchase Class B Shares of the Funds at the next determined NAV without an initial sales charge. However, Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below based on how long you held your shares.
 
  The CDSC schedule is as follows:

         
CDSC as a
Percentage of
Dollar Amount
Year Since Purchase Subject to CDSC

First
    5%  
Second
    4%  
Third
    3%  
Fourth
    3%  
Fifth
    2%  
Sixth
    1%  
Seventh and thereafter
    None  

  Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Funds in connection with the sale of Class B Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. A commission equal to 4% of the amount invested is paid to Authorized Dealers.
 
  What Should I Know About The Automatic Conversion Of Class B Shares?
  Class B Shares of a Fund will automatically convert into Class A Shares of the same Fund at the end of the calendar quarter that is eight years after the purchase date.
 
  If you acquire Class B Shares of a Fund by exchange from Class B Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares of such Fund based on the date of the initial purchase and the CDSC schedule of that purchase.
 
  If you acquire Class B Shares through reinvestment of distributions, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial purchase of the shares on which the distribution was paid.
 
  The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares will not occur at any time the Funds are advised that such conversions may constitute taxable events for federal tax purposes, which the Funds believe is unlikely. If conversions do not occur as a

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  result of possible taxability, Class B Shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A Shares for an indeterminate period.

   A COMMON QUESTION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class C Shares?
  You may purchase Class C Shares of the Funds at the next determined NAV without paying an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% will normally be deducted from the redemption proceeds. In connection with purchases by Employee Benefit Plans, where Class C Shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan sponsor or third-party administrator.
 
  Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Funds in connection with the sale of Class C Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. An amount equal to 1% of the amount invested is normally paid by the Distributor to Authorized Dealers.

   COMMON QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A, 
   B AND C SHARES   

  What Else Do I Need To Know About The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares?
  n   The CDSC is based on the lesser of the NAV of the shares at the time of redemption or the original offering price (which is the original NAV).
     n   No CDSC is charged on shares acquired from reinvested dividends or capital gains distributions.
     n   No CDSC is charged on the per share appreciation of your account over the initial purchase price.
     n   When counting the number of months since a purchase of Class B or Class C Shares was made, all payments made during a month will be combined and considered to have been made on the first day of that month.
  n   To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Funds will first sell any shares in your account that do not carry a CDSC and then the shares in your account that have been held the longest.

 
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  In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?
  The CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares that are subject to a CDSC may be waived or reduced if the redemption relates to:
  n   Retirement distributions or loans to participants or beneficiaries from Employee Benefit Plans;
  n   The death or disability (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of a shareholder, participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Hardship withdrawals by a participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Satisfying the minimum distribution requirements of the Code;
  n   Establishing “substantially equal periodic payments” as described under Section 72(t)(2) of the Code;
  n   The separation from service by a participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Excess contributions distributed from an Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Distributions from a qualified Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds which are being rolled over to a Goldman Sachs IRA, in the same share class; or
  n   Redemption proceeds which are to be reinvested in accounts or non-registered products over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion.

  In addition, Class A, B and C Shares subject to a systematic withdrawal plan may be redeemed without a CDSC. The Funds reserve the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual basis, to 12% each of the value of your Class B and C Shares and 10% of the value of your Class A Shares.
 
  How Do I Decide Whether To Buy Class A, B Or C Shares?
  The decision as to which Class to purchase depends on the amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and your personal situation.
  n   Class A Shares. If you are making an investment of $50,000 or more that qualifies for a reduced sales charge, you should consider purchasing Class A Shares.
  n   Class B Shares. If you plan to hold your investment for at least six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you might consider purchasing Class B Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class B Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class B Shares will cause your Class B Shares (until conversion to Class A Shares) to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares. A maximum

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  purchase limitation of $100,000 in the aggregate normally applies to Class B Shares across all Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Class C Shares. If you are unsure of the length of your investment or plan to hold your investment for less than six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you may prefer Class C Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class C Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class C Shares will cause your Class C Shares to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares (or Class B Shares after conversion to Class A Shares).

    Although Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC for only 12 months, Class C Shares do not have the automatic eight year conversion feature applicable to Class B Shares and your investment may pay higher distribution fees indefinitely.
 
    A maximum purchase limitation of $1,000,000 in the aggregate normally applies to purchases of Class C Shares across all Goldman Sachs Funds.

  Note: Authorized Dealers may receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.
 
  In addition to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.

 
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   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Funds?
  You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, each Fund will redeem its shares upon request on any business day at the NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form, subject to any applicable CDSC. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

     
Instructions For Redemptions:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Your account number
         n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount you want to sell
         n  How and where to send the proceeds
    n  Obtain a Medallion signature guarantee (see details below)
    n  Mail your request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 219711
    Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
    or for overnight delivery:
         Goldman Sachs Funds
    330 West 9th Street
    Poindexter Bldg., 1st Floor
    Kansas City, MO 64105

By Telephone:
  If you have not declined the telephone redemption privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-526-7384
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)
    n  You may redeem up to $50,000 of your shares daily
    n  Proceeds which are sent directly to a Goldman Sachs
    brokerage account or to the bank account designated on your
    Account Application are not subject to the $50,000 limit

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person with a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee is required if:
  n   You are requesting in writing to redeem shares in an amount over $50,000;
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change the bank designated on your Account Application.

  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account or the owner’s registered representative where the owner has not declined in writing to use this service. Thus, you risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.
 
  In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and BFDS each employ reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Proceeds of telephone redemption requests will be sent only to your address of record or authorized bank account designated in the Account Application (unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will only be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Applications (see immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by check during this time period, the redemption request must be in the form of a written, Medallion signature guaranteed letter.
  n   The telephone redemption option does not apply to shares held in a “street name” account. “Street name” accounts are accounts maintained and serviced by your Authorized Dealer. If your account is held in “street name,” you should contact your registered representative of record, who may make telephone redemptions on your behalf.

 
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  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
  n   If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, a Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions (with your Medallion signature guarantee) to the Transfer Agent.
  n   Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any Authorized Dealer assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

  By Check: You may elect to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, a Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. These institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares if your account balance falls below the required Fund minimum as a result of a redemption. The Funds will not redeem your shares on this basis if the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Funds will give you 60 days’ prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption.
  n   Redeem your shares in the event your Authorized Dealer’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Authorized Dealer. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from the redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interests of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. Your participation in a systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if your checks remain uncashed. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
  n   Charge an additional fee in the event a redemption is made via wire transfer.

  Can I Reinvest Redemption Proceeds In The Same Or Another Goldman Sachs Fund?
  You may redeem shares of a Fund and reinvest a portion or all of the redemption proceeds (plus any additional amounts needed to round off purchases to the nearest full share) at NAV. To be eligible for this privilege, you must have held the shares

 
41


 

  you want to redeem for at least 30 days and you must reinvest the share proceeds within 90 days after you redeem. You may reinvest as follows:
  n   Class A or B Shares—Class A Shares of the same Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund
  n   Class C Shares—Class C Shares of the same Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund
  n   You should obtain and read the applicable prospectuses before investing in any other Funds.
  n   If you pay a CDSC upon redemption of Class A or Class C Shares and then reinvest in Class A or Class C Shares as described above, your account will be credited with the amount of the CDSC you paid. The reinvested shares will, however, continue to be subject to a CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will include the holding period of the redeemed shares for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption. For Class B Shares, you may reinvest the redemption proceeds in Class A Shares at NAV but the amount of the CDSC paid upon redemption of the Class B Shares will not be credited to your account.
  n   The reinvestment privilege may be exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered Employee Benefit Plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.
  n   You may be subject to tax as a result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
  You may exchange shares of a Fund at NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC at the time of exchange for shares of the same class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

     
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
       n  Name(s) and signature(s)
       n  Account number
       n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
       n  The dollar amount you want to exchange
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 219711
    Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
    or for overnight delivery—
         Goldman Sachs Funds
    330 West 9th St.
    Poindexter Bldg., 1st Floor
    Kansas City, MO 64105

By Telephone:
  If you have not declined the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-526-7384
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   Currently, there is no charge for exchanges, although the Funds may impose a charge in the future.
  n   The exchanged shares may later be exchanged for shares of the same class of the original Fund at the next determined NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC if the amount in the Fund resulting from such exchanges is less than the largest amount on which you have previously paid the applicable sales charge.
  n   When you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be charged at that time. The exchanged shares will be subject to the CDSC of the shares originally held. For purposes of determining the amount of the applicable CDSC, the length of time you have owned the shares will be measured from the date you acquired the original shares subject to a CDSC and will not be affected by a subsequent exchange.

 
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  n   Eligible investors may exchange certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the same Fund. For further information, call Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-526-7384 and see the Additional Statement.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements of that Fund.
  n   Exchanges into a money market fund need not meet the traditional minimum investment requirements for that fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.
  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
  n   Goldman Sachs and BFDS may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need to Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
  n   Exchanges into a Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

   SHAREHOLDER SERVICES   

  Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may be able to make systematic investments through your bank via ACH transfer or via bank draft each month. The minimum dollar amount for this service is $250 for the initial investment and $50 per month. Forms for this option are available from Goldman Sachs and your Authorized Dealer, or you may check the appropriate box on the Account Application.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Can My Dividends And Distributions From A Fund Be Invested In Other Funds?
  You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions paid by a Fund in shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Shares will be purchased at NAV.
  n   You may elect cross-reinvestment into an identically registered account or a similarly registered account provided that at least one name on the account is registered identically.

  Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Shares will be purchased at NAV if a sales charge had been imposed on the initial purchase.
  n   Shares subject to a CDSC acquired under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of redemption from the Fund into which the exchange is made depending upon the date and value of your original purchase.
  n   Automatic exchanges are made monthly on the 15th day of each month or the first business day thereafter.
  n   Minimum dollar amount: $50 per month.

  What Else Should I Know About Cross-Reinvestments And Automatic Exchanges?
  Cross-reinvestments and automatic exchanges are subject to the following conditions:
  n   You must invest an amount in the Fund into which cross-reinvestments or automatic exchanges are being made that is equal to that Fund’s minimum initial investment.
  n   You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Fund into which dividends are invested or automatic exchanges are made.

  Can I Have Automatic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may redeem from your account systematically via check or ACH transfer in any amount of $50 or more.
  n   It is normally undesirable to maintain a systematic withdrawal plan at the same time that you are purchasing additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares because of the sales charge imposed on your purchases of Class A Shares and/or the imposition of a CDSC on your redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.

 
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  n   Checks are normally mailed the next business day after your selected systematic withdrawal date of either the 15th or 25th of the month.
  n   Each systematic withdrawal is a redemption and therefore a taxable transaction.
  n   The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under the systematic withdrawal plan may be waived.

  What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My Investment?
  You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and a quarterly account statement. A year-to-date statement for your account will be provided upon request made to Goldman Sachs. If your account is held in a “street name” you may receive your statements and confirmations on a different schedule.
 
  You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at 1-800-526-7384 or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 219711, Kansas City, MO 64121. The Funds will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.
 
  The Funds do not generally provide sub-accounting services.
 
  What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?
  Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem Fund shares. In addition, Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries are responsible for providing to you any communication, from a Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the source of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 under the Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not described in this Prospectus to their customers for such services.
 
  If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by a Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of your transactions, you should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  with a Fund involves special procedures and will require you to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer. If your Authorized Dealer’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Authorized Dealer, the Trust reserves the right to redeem your shares. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from a redemption.
 
  Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. In these cases:
  n   A Fund will be deemed to have received an order that is in proper form when the order is accepted by an Authorized Dealer or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share (adjusted for any applicable sales charge and redemption fee) next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Authorized Dealers and intermediaries are responsible for transmitting accepted orders to the Funds within the time period agreed upon by them.

  You should contact your Authorized Dealer or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Funds. The payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees and sales charges described in this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing

 
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  services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Funds. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.
 
  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your Authorized Dealer or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.

   DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND FEES   

  What Are The Different Distribution And Service Fees Paid By Class A, B and C Shares?
  The Trust has adopted distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”) under which Class A, Class B and Class C Shares bear distribution and service fees paid to Authorized Dealers and Goldman Sachs. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs generally pays the distribution and service fees on a quarterly basis.
 
  Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from each Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the 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 such charges.
 
  The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other things) for:
  n   Compensation paid to and expenses incurred by Authorized Dealers, Goldman Sachs and their respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
  n   Commissions paid to Authorized Dealers;
  n   Allocable overhead;
  n   Telephone and travel expenses;
  n   Interest and other costs associated with the financing of such compensation and expenses;

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  n   Printing of prospectuses for prospective shareholders;
  n   Preparation and distribution of sales literature or advertising of any type; and
  n   All other expenses incurred in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

  In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an ongoing commission to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

   PERSONAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND FEES   

  Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class B or Class C Shares. This fee is for personal and account maintenance services, and may be used to make payments to Goldman Sachs, Authorized Dealers and their officers, sales representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of, and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership of their shares or their accounts or similar services not otherwise provided on behalf of the Funds. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this arrangement.
 
  In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practice of the respective Funds. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of
 
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  excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days of purchase with respect to the Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. For more information about these Funds, obtain a prospectus from your Authorized Dealer or Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Funds in order to assess the likelihood that a Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs may reject or restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with a Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Funds with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors shares are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. A number of these financial intermediaries

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, a Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Funds and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Funds.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  Each Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Funds are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualifies for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the non-corporate shareholder must own the relevant Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds’ dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. This percentage may, however, be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate, or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  Each Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, each Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
  If you buy shares of a Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of that Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of that Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, a Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do

 
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  not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Funds do not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Funds will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that a Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Funds may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that a Fund invests in fixed-income securities, that Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and a Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present when the borrower has the option to prepay its obligations.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for a Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by a Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Funds’ Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Funds’ historical portfolio turnover rates.

 
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  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that the Funds’ investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in a Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified

 
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APPENDIX A

  managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Funds may make foreign investments. However, the Funds may only invest in foreign issuers that are traded in the U.S. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage).
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

 
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  Risks of Derivative Investments. A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices or credit events. Each Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Funds may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Temporary Investment Risks. Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances
  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When a Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks.
 
  The Funds may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which a Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.

 
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  Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates.
 
  The Funds may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. A Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the

 
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APPENDIX A

  Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase a Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Funds may be traded on U.S. exchanges.

 
61


 

  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on a particular securities index. The Funds may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
  Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.
 
  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by a Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, a Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for

 
62


 

APPENDIX A

  example, a Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, a Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e. the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. Each Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. Each Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.
 
  An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-

 
63


 

  issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, a Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.
 
  The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by a Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by a Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  A Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. A Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution

 
64


 

APPENDIX A

  with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.
 
  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Funds may, consistent with their investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price

 
65


 

  performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .
 
  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange. However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. Each Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. Each Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the

 
66


 

APPENDIX A

  profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
 
  U.S. Government Securities. Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which a Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. Each Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Borrowings. Each Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
67


 

 
  Appendix B
Predecessor Funds’
Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Class A, B and C shares of the Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund is based on the financial history of the Class A, B and C Shares of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Value Fund” and the “Predecessor Growth Fund” respectively). The information for the Predecessor Value Fund and Predecessor Growth Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Value and Predecessor Growth Funds’ financial statements are included in its annual report and is available upon request.
 
 
68


 

APPENDIX B

PREDECESSOR VALUE FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.49     $ 10.45     $ 9.78     $ 7.09     $ 8.17     $ 7.84  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    0.05       (0.05 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.04 )     (0.02 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    2.10       1.23       0.70       2.73       (0.93 )     0.38  
   
Total from investment operations
    2.15       1.18       0.67       2.69       (0.97 )     0.36  
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (0.45 )     (0.14 )                 (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #           #     #
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 13.19     $ 11.49     $ 10.45     $ 9.78     $ 7.09     $ 8.17  
   
Total return b†
    19.38 %     11.35 %     6.85 %     37.94 %     (11.88 )%     4.63 %
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 264,595     $ 252,526     $ 254,300     $ 250,241     $ 188,979     $ 218,905  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.60 %     1.64 %     1.59 %     1.60 %     1.64 %     1.57 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.59 %     1.63 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.60 %     1.64 %     1.59 %     1.60 %     1.64 %     1.57 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    0.37 %     (0.41 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.46 )%     (0.50 )%     (0.21 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    0.38 %     (0.40 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers a
    0.37 %     (0.41 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.46 )%     (0.50 )%     (0.21 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    4 %     4 %     10 %     8 %     19 %     32 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment income (loss)
  $     $         *       *       *       *

See page 74 for all footnotes.

 
69


 

PREDECESSOR VALUE FUND

                                                   
Year Ended Ten Months
October 31, Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
2006 c October 31, October 31,
Class B (Unaudited) 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 10.70     $ 9.79     $ 9.21     $ 6.71     $ 7.78     $ 7.52  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    (0.02 )     (0.10 )     (0.07 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.06 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    1.95       1.15       0.65       2.58       (0.88 )     0.35  
   
Total from investment operations
    1.93       1.05       0.58       2.50       (0.96 )     0.29  
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (0.45 )     (0.14 )                 (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #                  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 12.18     $ 10.70     $ 9.79     $ 9.21     $ 6.71     $ 7.78  
   
Total return b,†
    18.73 %     10.78 %     6.30 %     37.26 %     (12.35 )%     3.89 %
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 175,297     $ 198,305     $ 208,457     $ 210,248     $ 156,569     $ 161,373  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.15 %     2.19 %     2.14 %     2.15 %     2.19 %     2.12 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.14 %     2.18 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.15 %     2.19 %     2.14 %     2.15 %     2.19 %     2.12 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.16 )%     (0.96 )%     (0.93 )%     (1.01 )%     (1.04 )%     (0.76 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.15 )%     (0.95 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers a
    (0.16 )%     (0.96 )%     (0.93 )%     (1.01 )%     (1.04 )%     (0.76 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    4 %     4 %     10 %     8 %     19 %     32 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment income (loss)
  $     $         *       *       *       *

See page 74 for all footnotes.

 
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APPENDIX B

PREDECESSOR VALUE FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October  , October 31, October 31,
Class C 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 10.98     $ 10.04     $ 9.45     $ 6.88     $ 7.98     $ 7.71  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    (0.02 )     (0.11 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.06 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    2.00       1.19       0.67       2.65       (0.91 )     0.36  
   
Total from investment operations
    1.98       1.08       0.59       2.57       (0.99 )     0.30  
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (0.45 )     (0.14 )                 (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #                  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 12.51     $ 10.98     $ 10.04     $ 9.45     $ 6.88     $ 7.98  
   
Total return b
    18.71 %     10.81 %     6.24 %     37.35 %     (12.42 )%     3.93 %
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 92,123     $ 107,803     $ 114,721     $ 111,311     $ 78,811     $ 78,665  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.15 %     2.19 %     2.14 %     2.15 %     2.19 %     2.13 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.14 %     2.18 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.15 %     2.19 %     2.14 %     2.15 %     2.19 %     2.13 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.17 )%     (0.96 )%     (0.93 )%     (1.01 )%     (1.04 )%     (0.76 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.16 )%     (0.95 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers a
    (0.17 )%     (0.96 )%     (0.93 )%     (1.01 )%     (1.04 )%     (0.76 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    4 %     4 %     10 %     8 %     19 %     32 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment income (loss)
  $     $         *       *       *       *

See page 74 for all footnotes.

 
71


 

PREDECESSOR GROWTH FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 28.23     $ 26.45     $ 26.74     $ 21.76     $ 28.90     $ 30.90  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.38 )     (0.26 )     (0.29 )     (0.33 )     (0.35 )     (0.39 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    6.64       2.04       #     5.31       (6.79 )     (1.40 )
   
Total from investment operations
    6.26       1.78       (0.29 )     4.98       (7.14 )     (1.79 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (1.71 )                             (0.22 )
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #     #     #     0.01  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 32.78     $ 28.23     $ 26.45     $ 26.74     $ 21.76     $ 28.90  
   
Total return b†
    23.15 %     6.69 %     (1.08 )%     22.89 %     (24.71 )%     (5.72 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 47,721     $ 42,959     $ 44,184     $ 44,265     $ 31,714     $ 37,413  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.65 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.73 %     1.85 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.60 %     1.20 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.18 %     2.23 %     2.02 %     2.04 %     2.09 %     2.01 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (1.30 )%     (1.37 )%     (1.34 )%     (1.41 )%     (1.43 )%     (1.40 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.25 )%     (0.92 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.83 )%     (1.95 )%     (1.71 )%     (1.80 )%     (1.79 )%     (1.56 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    60 %     146 %     88 %     81 %     35 %     42 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $ 0.16     $ 0.29       *       *       *       *  

See page 74 for all footnotes.

 
72


 

APPENDIX B

PREDECESSOR GROWTH FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class B 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 26.79     $ 25.25     $ 25.64     $ 20.98     $ 28.02     $ 30.11  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.52 )     (0.40 )     (0.40 )     (0.44 )     (0.47 )     (0.53 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    6.27       1.94       0.01       5.10       (6.57 )     (1.34 )
   
Total from investment operations
    5.75       1.54       (0.39 )     4.66       (7.04 )     (1.87 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (1.71 )                             (0.22 )
   
Redemptions fees
          #     #     #            
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 30.83     $ 26.79     $ 25.25     $ 25.64     $ 20.98     $ 28.02  
   
Total return b†
    22.40 %     6.14 %     (1.52 )%     22.21 %     (25.12 )%     (6.17 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 30,515     $ 33,060     $ 37,430     $ 42,327     $ 33,447     $ 41,749  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.20 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     2.28 %     2.40 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.15 %     1.75 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.73 %     2.78 %     2.57 %     2.59 %     2.64 %     2.56 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (1.85 )%     (1.92 )%     (1.89 )%     (1.95 )%     (1.98 )%     (1.95 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.80 )%     (1.47 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (2.37 )%     (2.50 )%     (2.26 )%     (2.34 )%     (2.34 )%     (2.11 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    60 %     146 %     88 %     81 %     35 %     42 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $ 0.15     $ 0.28         *       *       *       *

See page 74 for all footnotes.

 
73


 

PREDECESSOR GROWTH FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class C 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 26.89     $ 25.34     $ 25.73     $ 21.05     $ 28.11     $ 30.21  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.52 )     (0.40 )     (0.40 )     (0.45 )     (0.46 )     (0.53 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    6.30       1.95       0.01       5.13       (6.60 )     (1.35 )
   
Total from investment operations
    5.78       1.55       (0.39 )     4.68       (7.06 )     (1.88 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (1.71 )                             (0.22 )
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #     #            
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 30.96     $ 26.89     $ 25.34     $ 25.73     $ 21.05     $ 28.11  
   
Total return b†
    22.48 %     6.12 %     (1.52 )%     22.23 %     (25.12 )%     (6.18 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 13,294     $ 13,431     $ 15,856     $ 16,567     $ 10,448     $ 9,367  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.20 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     2.27 %     2.40 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.15 %     1.75 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.73 %     2.78 %     2.57 %     2.59 %     2.66 %     2.56 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (1.85 )%     (1.92 )%     (1.89 )%     (1.95 )%     (1.97 )%     (1.95 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.80 )%     (1.47 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (2.37 )%     (2.50 )%     (2.26 )%     (2.34 )%     (2.36 )%     (2.11 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    60 %     146 %     88 %     81 %     35 %     42 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $ 0.15     $ 0.28         *       *       *       *

*
Prior to the year-ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
#
Per share amount is less than $0.005.

The total returns for Class A, Class B and Class C do not include sales charges.
a
Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
b
Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
c
Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
d
Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
e
Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
74


 

 
  Index
         
 
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    3 Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
    3   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund
    5   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
 
    7 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    9 Principal Risks of the Funds
 
    12 Fund Performance
 
    13 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
    17 Service Providers
 
    23 Dividends
 
    24 Shareholder Guide
    24   How To Buy Shares
    38   How To Sell Shares
 
    52 Taxation
 
    55 Appendix A
     Additional Information on
     Portfolio Risks, Securities
     and Techniques
 
    68 Appendix B
     Predecessor Funds’
     Financial Highlights


 

 
  Structured Equity Funds
Prospectus
(Class A, B and C Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Funds had not commenced operations. The annual report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 will become available to shareholders in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Funds and their policies is also available in the Funds’ Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-526-7384. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Funds’ website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-526-7384
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Funds’ investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

LOGO


 

Prospectus
  Institutional
Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund

n
 Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM ® ”) serves as investment adviser to the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   QUANTITATIVE STYLE FUNDS   

  GSAM’s Quantitative Investment Philosophy:
  GSAM’s quantitative style of funds management emphasizes the three building blocks of active management: fundamentally-based stock selection , careful portfolio construction and efficient implementation.

   GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED FUNDS   

  Step 1: Stock Selection
  The Investment Adviser attempts to forecast expected returns on approximately 10,000 stocks on a daily basis using proprietary CORE SM (“Computer-Optimized, Research-Enhanced”) models developed by the Global Quantitative Equity (“GQE”) team. These quantitative models are based on six investment themes—Valuation, Momentum, Analyst Sentiment, Profitability, Earnings Quality and Management Impact. The Valuation theme attempts to capture potential mispricings of securities by comparing measures of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value. The Momentum theme attempts to forecast companies’ future returns based on their past stock price performance, measured over various periods. The Analyst Sentiment theme looks at how Wall Street analysts’ views about a company’s earnings and prospects are changing over time. The Profitability theme assesses a company’s profit margins and operating efficiency relative to its peers, and views those that are more profitable as more attractive. Finally, the Management Impact theme evaluates a company’s management strategy through the company’s investing and financing behavior.
 
  Step 2: Portfolio Construction
  The Investment Adviser uses a proprietary risk model to help manage the expected deviation of the portfolio’s returns from those of the benchmark. The model attempts to identify and measure the comparative risks between equity investments as accurately as possible by including all the above themes used in the return model, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. In this process, the Investment Adviser seeks to manage risk by overweighting stocks with positive characteristics identified in the return models and underweighting stocks

 
1


 

  with negative characteristics relative to their benchmark weights, while maintaining other characteristics such as size and sector weights close to the benchmark. A computer optimizer evaluates many different security combinations (considering many possible weightings) in an effort to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each Structured Fund’s benchmark.
 
  Step 3: Efficient Implementation
  The portfolio management team considers transaction costs at each step of the investment process. The team incorporates expected portfolio turnover when assigning weights to the variables in the multifactor model. The team also factors expected execution costs into portfolio construction and evaluates multiple trading options. The team then selects the trading strategy it believes will minimize the total transaction costs to the Fund.
 
 
  Goldman Sachs Structured Funds are fully invested, broadly diversified and offer consistent overall portfolio characteristics. They may serve as good foundations on which to build a portfolio.


  References in this Prospectus to a Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.

 
2


 

 
  Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Value Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap value stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Value Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not
 
      *   To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
3


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
continued

  required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $94 million and $3.0 billion.
 
  As described in “General Investment Management Approach,” the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of small cap companies with low earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.
 
  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
4


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Growth Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $90 million and $3.0 billion.
 
  As discussed in “General Investment Management Approach”, the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to

 
     *  To the extent required by SEC regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
5


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
continued

the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of small cap companies with above average earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.

  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
6


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/ semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. Each Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Funds publish on their website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which a Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

         
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited Structured Structured
only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Practices    
Borrowings
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
   
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
   
Equity Swaps*
   
Foreign Currency Transactions**
   
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
   • 1    • 1
Investment Company Securities (including iShares SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts )
  10   10
Options on Foreign Currencies 2
   
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 3
   
Repurchase Agreements
   
Securities Lending
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Unseasoned Companies
   
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
   
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
   

 
  *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
**
Limited by the amount a Fund invests in foreign securities.
   1
The Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
   2
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
   3
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
7


 

         
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; Structured Structured
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Securities    
American and Global Depositary Receipts
   
Bank Obligations 4
   
Convertible Securities 5
   
Corporate Debt Obligations 4
   
Equity Investments
  80+   80+
Fixed-Income Securities 4,6
  20   20
Foreign Securities 7
   
Real Estate Investment Trusts
   
Structured Securities *
   
Temporary Investments
  35   35
U.S. Government Securities 4
   

 
   *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
    4
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities and limited to cash equivalents only. The Funds may invest in bank obligations issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
    5
The Funds have no minimum rating criteria for convertible debt securities.
    6
Except as noted under “Convertible Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
    7
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
 
8


 

 
Principal Risks of the Funds

Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.

         
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
•   Applicable Fund Fund

Foreign
   
 
Stock
   
 
Derivatives
   
 
Interest Rate
   
 
Management
   
 
Market
   
 
Liquidity
   
 
Investment Style
   
 
Small Cap
   

 
9


 

n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in small and mid-capitalization stocks and REITs will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which GSAM or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A

 
10


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS

Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
11


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED   

  The Funds have not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Fund”), respectively. Each Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of each Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization each Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAM.
 
12


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Institutional Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of a Fund.

                 
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
               
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    None       None  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None       None  
Redemption Fees
    None       None  
Exchange Fees
    None       None  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
               
Management Fees 2 *
    0.85 %     0.85 %
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    None       None  
Other Expenses 3 *
    0.11 %     0.22 %

Total Fund Operating Expenses*
    0.96 %     1.07 %

                   See page 14 for all other footnotes.

  The “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  
                 
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
               
Management Fees 2
    0.81 %     0.81 %
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    None       None  
Other Expenses 3
    0.04 %     0.04 %

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current waivers and expense limitations)
    0.85 %     0.85 %

 
13


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued

1
The Funds’ annual operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
2
The Investment Adviser is entitled to management fees from the Funds at annual rates equal to the following percentage of the average daily net assets of the Funds:

                     
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85 %     First $2 Billion      
      0.77 %     Over $2 Billion      
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85 %     First $2 Billion      
      0.77 %     Over $2 Billion      
 

The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Investment Adviser may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
3
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s Institutional Shares plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to the following annual percentage rates of each Fund’s average daily net assets:
                 
Other
Fund Expenses

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.004%          
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.004%          
 

These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.
 
14


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Institutional Shares of a 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 a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

                                 
Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Structured Small Cap Value
  $ 98     $ 306     $ 531     $ 1,178  

Structured Small Cap Growth
  $ 109     $ 340     $ 590     $ 1,306  

Institutions that invest in Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your institution for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.

Certain institutions that invest in Institutional Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Institutional Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
15


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”)
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
  Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth

  GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAM had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of each Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable

 
16


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  monthly, at the annual rates listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):

                 
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

  The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds will be available in the Funds’ annual report dated August 31, 2007.

   FUND MANAGERS   

 

  Quantitative Domestic Equity Portfolio Management Team
  n   A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
  n   More than $100 billion in equities currently under management, including over $52 billion in US equities

             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Ms. Brown joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1984 to 1998, she was the director of Quantitative Equity Research and served on the Investment Policy Committee at Prudential Securities Equity Research.

Robert C. Jones
Chief Investment Officer
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Mr. Jones joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1989.

  Melissa Brown, CFA, is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for US portfolios. She is also a member of the GQE Investment Policy Committee. Robert C. Jones, CFA, is a Managing Director and Chair of the GQE Investment Policy Committee, which oversees the portfolio management process. He currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer for the GQE Team. The computer optimizer constructs the portfolio based on the team’s models and design and no one person
 
17


 

  on the team has a subjective override of the computer optimizer process, except in very specific limited cases.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as each Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The

 
18


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. A Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for each Fund to the extent that the Funds engage in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of the cash received as collateral for loaned securities. In addition, the Funds may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of

 
19


 

  New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation , and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”), the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and GSVIT and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were also named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and charges; and reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this

 
20


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
21


 

 
  Dividends
 
  Each Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the same Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, your dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:

         
Investment Capital Gains
Fund Income Dividends Distributions

Structured Small Cap Value
  Annually   Annually

Structured Small Cap Growth
  Annually   Annually

  From time to time a portion of a Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of a Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
22


 

 
  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ Institutional Shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES   

  How Can I Purchase Institutional Shares Of The Funds?
  You may purchase Institutional Shares on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order. No sales load is charged. You should either:
  n   Place an order with Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550 and wire federal funds to The Northern Trust Company (“Northern”), as subcustodian for State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) (each Fund’s custodian) on the next business day; or
  n   Send a check or Federal Reserve draft payable to Goldman Sachs Funds—(Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Fund will not accept a check drawn on foreign banks, third-party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations, involving the transfer of retirement assets, a Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.

  In order to make an initial investment in a Fund, you must furnish to the Fund or Goldman Sachs the Account Application. Purchases of Institutional Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
  How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?
  Certain institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and may designate other intermediaries to accept such orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
  n   A Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized institution or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Authorized institutions and intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed upon by them.

  You should contact your institution or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust. These institutions may receive payments from the

 
23


 

  Funds or Goldman Sachs for the services provided by them with respect to the Funds’ Institutional Shares. These payments may be in addition to other payments borne by the Funds.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Funds. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative, and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Funds. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.
 
  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your authorized dealer or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.
 
  In addition to Institutional Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services than Institutional Shares. Information regarding

 
24


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?

     
Type of Investor Minimum Investment

n  Banks, trust companies or other depository
    institutions investing for their own account
    or on behalf of their clients
  $1,000,000 in Institutional Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with other assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates
n  Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase
    pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit
    pension, or other employee benefit plans that are
    sponsored by one or more employers (including
    governmental or church employers) or
    employee organizations
   
n  State, county, city or any instrumentality,
    department, authority or agency thereof
   
n  Corporations with at least $100 million in assets or
    in outstanding publicly traded securities
   
n  “Wrap” account sponsors (provided they have an
    agreement covering the arrangement with GSAM)
   
n  Registered investment advisers investing for
    accounts for which they receive asset-based
    fees
   
n  Qualified non-profit organizations, charitable
    trusts, foundations and endowments
   

n  Individual investors   $10,000,000
n  Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory
    affiliates have investment discretion
   

n  Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
    for which GSAM or its advisory
    affiliates act as fiduciary
  No minimum

  The minimum investment requirement may be waived for current and former officers, partners, directors or employees of Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates; brokerage or advisory clients of Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management and accounts for which Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A. or the Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware acts in a fiduciary capacity (i.e., as agent or trustee); certain mutual fund “wrap” programs; and for other investors at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for subsequent investments.
 
25


 

  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Modify or waive the minimum investment amounts.
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of Institutional Shares of a Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of a Fund.
  n   Close a Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.

  Generally, the Funds will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Fund.
 
  The Funds may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Funds to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for each investor who opens an account with the Funds. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Funds. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Funds reserve the right to (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Funds; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Funds are unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.
 
  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy Institutional Shares is a Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class. The price you receive when you sell Institutional Shares is

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  a Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge. The Funds calculate NAV as follows:
     

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  In the event that a Fund invests a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Funds, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining a Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.
 
  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 
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  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).
  n   NAV per share of each class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than a Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether a Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-621-2550.
 
  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days a Fund is closed. As a result, if a Fund holds foreign securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Institutional Shares Of The Funds?
  You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, each Fund will redeem its Institutional Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  of such request in proper form. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

     
Instructions For Redemptions:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Account number
         n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount you want to sell
         n  How and where to send the proceeds
    n  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required (see details below)
    n  Mail your request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone redemption privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
 
  Certain institutions and intermediaries are authorized to accept redemption requests on behalf of the Funds as described under “How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?”
 
  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change your current bank designations.

  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
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  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated on the Account Application must be in writing and signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application with a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will generally be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Applications (see immediately preceding bullet point). For direct accounts, to receive the redemption by check during this time period, a redemption request must be in the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required).
  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds, (for a total of one business day delay) but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
  n   If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions signed by an authorized person designated on the account application with a Medallion signature guarantee to the Transfer Agent.
  n   Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any other institution assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

  By Check: You may elect in writing to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. These institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares in the event an Institution’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated and you do not transfer your account to another Institution with a relationship with Goldman Sachs. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from a redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.

 
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  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
  You may exchange Institutional Shares of a Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

     
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Account number
         n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount to be exchanged
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Goldman Sachs Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund or the entire balance of the original Fund account should be exchanged. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
  n   Goldman Sachs may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
  n   Exchanges into a Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.
 
  What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding Investments In Institutional Shares?
  You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and a monthly statement. If your account is held in a “street name” you may receive your statements and confirmations on a different schedule.
 
  You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at 1-800-621-2550 or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Funds will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.
 
  In addition, Institutions and other financial intermediaries will be responsible for providing any communications from the Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the sources of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 of the Investment Company Act.

 
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   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the respective Funds. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days with respect to Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. For more information about these Funds, obtain a prospectus from your sales representative or Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Funds in order to assess the likelihood that a Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs is authorized to reject or

 
34


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with a Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Funds with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchase and redemption of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, a Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Funds and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Funds.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  Each Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Funds are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualifies for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the non-corporate shareholder must own the relevant Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds’ dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. This percentage may, however, be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate, or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  Each Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, each Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
  If you buy shares of a Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of that Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of that Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, a Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do

 
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  not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Funds do not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Funds will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that a Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Funds may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that a Fund invests in fixed-income securities, that Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and a Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present when the borrower has the option to prepay its obligations.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for a Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by a Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Funds’ Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Funds’ historical portfolio turnover rates.

 
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  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that the Funds’ investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in a Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified

 
40


 

APPENDIX A

  managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Funds may make foreign investments. However, the Funds may only invest in foreign issuers that are traded in the U.S. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage).
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.
 
  Risks of Derivative Investments. A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such

 
41


 

  transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices or credit events. Each Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Funds may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.
 
  Temporary Investment Risks. Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances

 
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APPENDIX A

  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When a Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks.
 
  The Funds may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which a Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.
 
  Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates.

 
43


 

  The Funds may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. A Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or

 
44


 

APPENDIX A

  securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase a Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Funds may be traded on U.S. exchanges.
 
  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based

 
45


 

  on a particular securities index. The Funds may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
  Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.
 
  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by a Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, a Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, a Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, a Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e. the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. Each Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future

 
46


 

APPENDIX A

  to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. Each Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.
 
  An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date

 
47


 

  and price. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, a Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.
 
  The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by a Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by a Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  A Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. A Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations

 
48


 

APPENDIX A

  of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.
 
  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Funds may, consistent with their investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .

 
49


 

  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange. However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. Each Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. Each Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to

 
50


 

APPENDIX A

  credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
 
  U.S. Government Securities. Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (b) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (d) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which a Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. Each Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Borrowings. Each Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
51


 

 
  Appendix B
Predecessor Funds’
  Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand a Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Small Cap Value Fund and Small Cap Growth Fund is based on the financial history of the Class Y Shares of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Value Fund” and “Predecessor Growth Fund” respectively). The information for the Predecessor Value Fund and Predecessor Growth Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Value and Predecessor Growth Funds’ financial statements are included in its annual report and is available upon request.
 
52


 

APPENDIX B

PREDECESSOR VALUE FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class Y 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 12.13     $ 10.97     $ 10.24     $ 7.39     $ 8.47     $ 8.09  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income
    0.11       — #       0.01       — #       — #       0.01  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    2.23       1.30       0.72       2.85       (0.97 )     0.40  
   
Total from investment operations
    2.34       1.30       0.73       2.85       (0.97 )     0.41  
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (0.45 )     (0.14 )                 (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   
Redemption fees
                — #                    
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 14.02     $ 12.13     $ 10.97     $ 10.24     $ 7.39     $ 8.47  
   
Total return b
    19.94 %     11.91 %     7.13 %     38.57 %     (11.46 )%     5.10 %
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 25,954     $ 21,728     $ 9,587     $ 10,072     $ 7,029     $ 7,067  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.15 %     1.19 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.19 %     1.15 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.14 %     1.18 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.15 %     1.19 %     1.14 %     1.15 %     1.19 %     1.15 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    0.82 %     0.04 %     0.07 %     (0.01 )%     (0.04 )%     0.18 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    0.82 %     0.05 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers a
    0.82 %     0.04 %     0.07 %     (0.01 )%     (0.04 )%     0.18 %
Portfolio turnover rate e
    4 %     4 %     10 %     8 %     19 %     32 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment income (loss)
  $     $       *       *       *       *  

See page 54 for all footnotes.

 
53


 

PREDECESSOR GROWTH FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class Y 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 29.32     $ 27.35     $ 27.55     $ 22.31     $ 29.51     $ 31.39  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.26 )     (0.14 )     (0.20 )     (0.23 )     (0.26 )     (0.27 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    6.93       2.11       — #       5.47       (6.94 )     (1.39 )
   
Total from investment
operations
    6.67       1.97       (0.20 )     5.24       (7.20 )     (1.66 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (1.71 )                             (0.22 )
   
Redemption fees
                — #       — #              
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 34.28     $ 29.32     $ 27.35     $ 27.55     $ 22.31     $ 29.51  
   
Total return b
    23.71 %     7.20 %     (0.73 )%     23.49 %     (24.40 )%     (5.25 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 19,037     $ 11,836     $ 10,434     $ 11,317     $ 7,375     $ 9,257  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.20 %     1.20 %     1.20 %     1.20 %     1.29 %     1.40 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.15 %     0.75 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.73 %     1.78 %     1.57 %     1.59 %     1.64 %     1.56 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.85 )%     (0.92 )%     (0.89 )%     (0.95 )%     (0.98 )%     (0.95 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.80 )%     (0.47 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.38 )%     (1.50 )%     (1.26 )%     (1.34 )%     (1.33 )%     (1.11 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    60 %     146 %     88 %     81 %     35 %     42 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $ 0.17     $ 0.29       *       *       *       *  

 
*
Prior to the year ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
#
Per share amount is less than $0.005.
a
Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
b
Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
c
Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
 
d
Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
e
Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
54


 

 
  Index
         
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    3 Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
    3   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund
    5   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
 
    7 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    9 Principal Risks of the Funds
 
    12 Fund Performance
 
    13 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
    16 Service Providers
 
    22 Dividends
 
    23 Shareholder Guide
    23   How To Buy Shares
    28   How To Sell Shares
 
    36 Taxation
 
    39 Appendix A
     Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and
     Techniques
 
    52 Appendix B
     Predecessor Funds’
     Financial Highlights


 

 
  Structured Equity Funds
Prospectus
(Institutional Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Funds had not commenced operations. The semi-annual report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 will become available in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Funds and their policies is also available in the Funds’ Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Funds’ website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Funds’ investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

Prospectus
  Service
  Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund

n
 Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM ® ”) serves as investment adviser to the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. GSAM is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   QUANTITATIVE STYLE FUNDS   

  GSAM’s Quantitative Investment Philosophy:
  GSAM’s quantitative style of funds management emphasizes the three building blocks of active management: fundamentally-based stock selection , careful portfolio construction and efficient implementation.

   GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED FUNDS   

  Step 1: Stock Selection
  The Investment Adviser attempts to forecast expected returns on approximately 10,000 stocks on a daily basis using proprietary CORE SM (“Computer-Optimized, Research-Enhanced”) models developed by the Global Quantitative Equity (“GQE”) team. These quantitative models are based on six investment themes—Valuation, Momentum, Analyst Sentiment, Profitability, Earnings Quality and Management Impact. The Valuation theme attempts to capture potential mispricings of securities by comparing measures of the company’s intrinsic value to its market value. The Momentum theme attempts to forecast companies’ future returns based on their past stock price performance, measured over various periods. The Analyst Sentiment theme looks at how Wall Street analysts’ views about a company’s earnings and prospects are changing over time. The Profitability theme assesses a company’s profit margins and operating efficiency relative to its peers, and views those that are more profitable as more attractive. Finally, the Management Impact theme evaluates a company’s management strategy through the company’s investing and financing behavior.
 
  Step 2: Portfolio Construction
  The Investment Adviser uses a proprietary risk model to help manage the expected deviation of the portfolio’s returns from those of the benchmark. The model attempts to identify and measure the comparative risks between equity investments as accurately as possible by including all the above themes used in the return model, as well as several other factors associated with risk but not return. In this process, the Investment Adviser seeks to manage risk by overweighting stocks with positive characteristics identified in the return models and underweighting stocks

 
1


 

  with negative characteristics relative to their benchmark weights, while maintaining other characteristics such as size and sector weights close to the benchmark. A computer optimizer evaluates many different security combinations (considering many possible weightings) in an effort to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each Structured Fund’s benchmark.
 
  Step 3: Efficient Implementation
  The portfolio management team considers transaction costs at each step of the investment process. The team incorporates expected portfolio turnover when assigning weights to the variables in the multifactor model. The team also factors expected execution costs into portfolio construction and evaluates multiple trading options. The team then selects the trading strategy it believes will minimize the total transaction costs to the Fund.
 
 
  Goldman Sachs Structured Funds are fully invested, broadly diversified and offer consistent overall portfolio characteristics. They may serve as good foundations on which to build a portfolio.


  References in this Prospectus to a Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how a particular Fund is managed.

 
2


 

 
  Fund Investment Objectives
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Value Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap value stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Value Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Value Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $94 million and $3.0 billion.
 
*   To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
3


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
continued

  As described in “General Investment Management Approach”, the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000 ® Value Index. The index is designed to represent an investable universe of small cap companies with low earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.
 
  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
4


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  Russell 2000 ® Growth Index
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in small-cap U.S. companies
Investment Style:
  Quantitative, applied to small-cap growth stocks
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective through a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in U.S. issuers.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its Net Assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in small-cap U.S. issuers, including foreign issuers that are traded in the United States.* However, it is currently anticipated that, under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 95% of its Net Assets in such equity investments. Most of these issuers will have public stock market capitalizations (based upon shares available for trading on an unrestricted basis) similar to that of the range of the market capitalizations of companies constituting the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index at the time of investment. The Fund is not required to limit its investments to securities in the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. If the market capitalization of a company held by the Fund moves outside this range, the Fund may, but is not required to, sell the securities. The capitalization range of the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index is currently (as of November 30, 2006) between $90 million and $3.0 billion.
 
  As discussed in “General Investment Management Approach”, the Fund’s investments are selected using a variety of quantitative techniques, derived from fundamental research, including but not limited to valuation, momentum, profitability and earnings quality, in seeking to maximize the Fund’s expected return. The Fund maintains risk, style, capitalization and industry characteristics similar to the Russell 2000 ® Growth Index. The index is designed to represent an investable

 
*   To the extent required by SEC regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
5


 

 
  Goldman Sachs
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
continued

universe of small cap companies with above average earnings growth expectations. The Fund seeks to maximize expected return while maintaining these and other characteristics similar to the benchmark.

  Other.  The Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities are limited to securities that are considered cash equivalents.

 
6


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Funds in seeking to achieve their investment objectives. The table also highlights the differences among the Funds in their use of these techniques and other investment practices and investment securities. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Funds’ annual/ semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. Each Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Funds publish on their website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which a Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

         
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; limited Structured Structured
only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Practices    
Borrowings
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
   
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
   
Equity Swaps*
   
Foreign Currency Transactions**
   
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
   • 1    • 1
Investment Company Securities (including iShares SM and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts )
  10   10
Options on Foreign Currencies 2
   
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 3
   
Repurchase Agreements
   
Securities Lending
  33 1/3   33 1/3
Unseasoned Companies
   
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
   
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
   

 
  *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
**
Limited by the amount a Fund invests in foreign securities.
   1
The Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index.
   2
The Funds may purchase and sell call and put options.
   3
The Funds may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
7


 

         
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending collateral) (italic type)
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type)
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; Structured Structured
limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Investment Securities    
American and Global Depositary Receipts
   
Bank Obligations 4
   
Convertible Securities 5
   
Corporate Debt Obligations 4
   
Equity Investments
  80+   80+
Fixed-Income Securities 4,6
  20   20
Foreign Securities 7
   
Real Estate Investment Trusts
   
Structured Securities *
   
Temporary Investments
  35   35
U.S. Government Securities 4
   

 
   *
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
    4
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities and limited to cash equivalents only. The Funds may invest in bank obligations issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
    5
The Funds have no minimum rating criteria for convertible debt securities.
    6
Except as noted under “Convertible Securities,” fixed-income securities must be investment grade (i.e., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
    7
Equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
 
8


 

 
Principal Risks of the Funds

Loss of money is a risk of investing in each Fund. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insur-ance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Funds and may result in a loss of your investment. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.

         
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
•   Applicable Fund Fund

Foreign
   
 
Stock
   
 
Derivatives
   
 
Interest Rate
   
 
Management
   
 
Market
   
 
Liquidity
   
 
Investment Style
   
 
Small Cap
   

 
9


 

n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when a Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. A Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from a Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to a Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, securities held by a Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which a Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. A Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that a Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. Funds that invest in small and mid-capitalization stocks and REITs will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Funds and other funds for which GSAM or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in a Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A

 
10


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUNDS

Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable a Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Funds’ portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
11


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUNDS HAVE PERFORMED   

  The Funds have not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Fund”), respectively. Each Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of each Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization each Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAM.
 
12


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Service Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Service Shares of a Fund.

                   
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
               
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    None       None  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None       None  
Redemption Fees
    None       None  
Exchange Fees
    None       None  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):
1
               
Management Fees 2 *
    0.85 %     0.85 %
Other Expenses*
    0.60 %     0.69 %
 
   Service Fees 3
    0 .25%     0 .25%
 
   Shareholder Administration Fees
    0 .25%     0 .25%
 
   All Other Expenses 4 *
    0 .11%     0 .22%

Total Fund Operating Expenses*
    1.46%       1.57%  

See page 14 for all other footnotes.

  The “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Management Fees”, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  
                   
Structured Structured
Small Cap Small Cap
Value Growth
Fund Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 1
               
Management Fees 2
    0.81 %     0.81 %
Other Expenses
    0.54 %     0.54 %
 
  Service Fees 3
    0 .25%     0 .25%
 
  Shareholder Administration Fees
    0 .25%     0 .25%
 
  All Other Expenses 4
    0 .04%     0 .04%

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current waivers and expense limitations)
    1.35 %     1.35 %

 
13


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses  continued

1
The Funds’ operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
2
The Investment Adviser is entitled to management fees from the Funds at annual rates equal to the following percentages of the average daily net assets of the Funds:

                     
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85%     First $ 2  Billion      
      0.77%     Over $ 2  Billion      
 
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85%     First $ 2  Billion      
      0.77%     Over $ 2  Billion      

The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Investment Adviser may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
3
Service Organizations may charge other fees to their customers who are beneficial owners of Service Shares in connection with their customers’ accounts. Such fees may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
4
“All Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s Service Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “All Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to the following annual percentage rates of each Fund’s average daily net assets:
                 
Other
Fund Expenses

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.004%          
Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.004%          

These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.

 
14


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Service Shares of a 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 a Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

                                 
Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Structured Small Cap Value
  $ 149     $ 462     $ 797     $ 1,746  

Structured Small Cap Growth
  $ 160     $ 496     $ 855     $ 1,867  

Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Service Organization for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.

Certain Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Service Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Funds. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
15


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”)
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
  Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth

  GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAM had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Funds’ portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Funds and places purchase and sale orders for the Funds’ portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Funds:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Funds
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Funds
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of each Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable

 
16


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  monthly, at the annual rates listed below (as a percentage of each respective Fund’s average daily net assets):

                 
Management Fee Average Daily
Fund Annual Rate Net Assets

Structured Small Cap Value
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

Structured Small Cap Growth
    0.85 %     First $2  Billion  
      0.77 %     Over $2  Billion  

  The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee equal to 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Funds will be available in the Funds’ annual report dated August 31, 2007.

   FUND MANAGERS   

 

  Quantitative Domestic Equity Portfolio Management Team
  n   A stable and growing team supported by an extensive internal staff
  n   More than $100 billion in equities currently under management, including over $52 billion in US equities

             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Melissa Brown
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Ms. Brown joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1998. From 1984 to 1998, she was the director of Quantitative Equity Research and served on the Investment Policy Committee at Prudential Securities Equity Research.

Robert C. Jones
Chief Investment Officer
Managing Director
  Senior Portfolio Manager—
Structured Small Cap Value
Structured Small Cap Growth
  Since
2007
2007
  Mr. Jones joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in 1989.

  Melissa Brown, CFA, is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager for US portfolios. She is also a member of the GQE Investment Policy Committee. Robert C. Jones, CFA, is a Managing Director and Chair of the GQE Investment Policy Committee, which oversees the portfolio management process. He currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer for the GQE Team. The computer optimizer constructs the portfolio based on the team’s models and design and no one person
 
17


 

  on the team has a subjective override of the computer optimizer process, except in very specific limited cases.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of each Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as each Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to a Fund or limit a Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds directly and indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Funds. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Funds. The

 
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SERVICE PROVIDERS

  results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, a Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. A Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Funds, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for each Fund to the extent that the Funds engage in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of the cash received as collateral for loaned securities. In addition, the Funds may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of

 
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  New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation , and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”), Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”), the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and GSVIT and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were also named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and charges; and reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this

 
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SERVICE PROVIDERS

  decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
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  Dividends
 
  Each Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the same Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, your dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the applicable Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid as follows:

         
Investment Capital Gains
Fund Income Dividends Distributions

Structured Small Cap Value
  Annually   Annually

Structured Small Cap Growth
  Annually   Annually

  From time to time a portion of a Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of a Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
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  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Funds’ Service Shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES   

  How Can I Purchase Service Shares Of The Funds?
  Generally, Service Shares may be purchased only through institutions that have agreed to provide personal and account maintenance and shareholder administration services to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares. These institutions are called “Service Organizations.” Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. Generally, Service Shares may be purchased from the Funds on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales load is charged. Purchases of Service Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
  Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion. Service Organizations should either:
  n   Place an order with Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550 and wire federal funds to The Northern Trust Company (“Northern”), as subcustodian for State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) (each Fund’s custodian) on the next business day; or
  n   Send a check or Federal Reserve draft payable to Goldman Sachs Funds—(Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Funds will not accept a check drawn on foreign banks, third-party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques, or credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of retirement assets, a Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.

  What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
  Service Organizations may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:
  n   Personal and account maintenance services; and
  n   Shareholder administration services.

 
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  Personal and account maintenance services include:
  n   Providing facilities to answer inquiries and responding to correspondence with the Service Organization’s customers
  n   Acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust
  n   Assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and similar services

  Shareholder administration services include:
  n   Acting, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record
  n   Maintaining account records for customers
  n   Processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange shares for customers
  n   Processing payments for customers

  Some (but not all) Service Organizations are authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and may designate other intermediaries to accept such orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
  n   A Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized Service Organization or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Service Organizations and intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed upon by them.

  You should contact your Service Organization directly to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
  Pursuant to a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payments for their services from the Trust. These payments are equal to 0.25% (annualized) for personal and account maintenance services plus an additional 0.25% (annualized) for shareholder administration services of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Funds that are attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization for its customers.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Funds. The payments are in addition to the service fees described in this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Funds. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.
 
  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your Service Organization or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.
 
  In addition to Service Shares, each Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services than Service Shares. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Funds?
  The Funds do not have any minimum purchase or account requirements with respect to Service Shares. A Service Organization may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial and subsequent investments in Service Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. A Service Organization may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.

 
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  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of Service Shares of a Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of a Fund.
  n   Close a Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.

  Generally, the Funds will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Funds.
 
  The Funds may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with a Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Funds to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for each investor who opens an account with the Funds. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Funds. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Funds reserve the right to (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Funds; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Funds are unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Funds and their agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.
 
  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy Service Shares is a Fund’s next determined NAV for a share class. The price you receive when you sell Service Shares is a Fund’s

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  next determined NAV for a share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge. The Funds calculate NAV as follows:
     

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Funds’ investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  In the event that a Fund invests a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Funds, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining a Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.
 
  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Funds to price their

 
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  investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.
 
  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).
  n   NAV per share of each class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Funds receive your order in proper form.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than a Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open one or more Funds for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether a Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-621-2550.
 
  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days a Fund is closed. As a result, if a Fund holds foreign securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Service Shares Of The Funds?
 
  Generally, Service Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the Funds. Generally, each Fund will redeem its Service Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form. Redemption proceeds may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record).
 
  A Service Organization may request redemptions in writing or by telephone if the optional telephone redemption privilege is elected on the Account Application.

     

By Writing:
  Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
 
  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change your current bank designations.

  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone

 
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  redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated on the Account Application must be in writing and signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will generally be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Application (see immediately preceding bullet point). For direct accounts to receive the redemption by check during this time period, a redemption request must be in the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required).
  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire:  The Funds will arrange for redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in the recordholder’s Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by a Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
  n   If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, a Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions signed by an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required) to the Service Organization.
  n   Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs assumes any responsibility for the performance of intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with such intermediaries or Service Organization.

  By Check:  A recordholder may elect in writing to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, a Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Service Organizations are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, Service Organizations may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Service Organizations may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares in the event a Service Organization’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated and you do not transfer your account to another Service Organization with a relationship with Goldman Sachs. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from the redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to a

 
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  Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
  A Service Organization may exchange Service Shares of a Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.

     
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  The recordholder name(s) and signature(s)
         n  The account number
         n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount to be exchanged
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund or the entire balance of the original Fund account should be exchanged. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.
  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
  n   Goldman Sachs may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.

 
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  n   Exchanges into a Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.
 
  What Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In Service Shares?
  Service Organizations will receive from the Funds annual reports containing audited financial statements and semi-annual reports. Service Organizations will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in their account and a monthly account statement. Service Organizations are responsible for providing these or other reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their accounts with the Service Organizations. In addition, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries will be responsible for providing any communication from a Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to prospectus supplements, proxy materials, and notices regarding the sources of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 under the Investment Company Act.

   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the respective Funds. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the
 
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  provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days with respect to the Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. For more information about these Funds, obtain a prospectus from your Service Organization or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Funds in order to assess the likelihood that a Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs may reject or restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with a Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Funds with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Funds. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, a Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Funds and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Funds will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Funds.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  Each Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Funds are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Funds from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualifies for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the non-corporate shareholder must own the relevant Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds’ dividends paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. This percentage may, however, be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate, or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  Each Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In general, each Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its taxable income.
 
  If you buy shares of a Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of that Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of that Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, a Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do

 
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  not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Funds do not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Funds will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that a Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Funds may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that a Fund invests in fixed-income securities, that Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase. Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and a Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present when the borrower has the option to prepay its obligations.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for a Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by a Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Funds’ Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Funds’ historical portfolio turnover rates.

 
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  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that the Funds’ investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in a Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether that Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified

 
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APPENDIX A

  managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Funds may make foreign investments. However, the Funds may only invest in foreign issuers that are traded in the U.S. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage).
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.
 
  Risks of Derivative Investments. A Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such

 
41


 

  transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices or credit events. Each Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of a Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Funds may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.
 
  Temporary Investment Risks. Each Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances

 
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APPENDIX A

  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When a Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, including their associated risks.
 
  The Funds may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which a Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.
 
  Foreign Currency Transactions. A Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. A Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates.

 
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  The Funds may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. A Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or

 
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APPENDIX A

  securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase a Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Funds may be traded on U.S. exchanges.
 
  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based

 
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  on a particular securities index. The Funds may engage in futures transactions on U.S. exchanges.
 
  Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.
 
  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by a Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, a Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, a Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, a Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e. the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. Each Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future

 
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APPENDIX A

  to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, a Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. Each Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.
 
  An equity swap may be used by a Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, a Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, a Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Each Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, a Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date

 
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  and price. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, a Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, a Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.
 
  The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. Each Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by a Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by a Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of a Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  A Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. A Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. Each Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations

 
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APPENDIX A

  of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.
 
  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on any Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Funds may, consistent with their investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .
 
  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the

 
49


 

  MSCI indices for various countries and regions. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange. However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. Each Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. Each Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

 
50


 

APPENDIX A

  U.S. Government Securities. Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which a Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, a Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. Each Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Borrowings. Each Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. A Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
51


 

 
  Appendix B
Predecessor Funds’
Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand a Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Structured Small Cap Value Fund and Structured Small Cap Growth Fund is based on the financial history of the Class A Shares of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund and AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Value Fund” and “Predecessor Growth Fund,” respectively). During the periods shown, Service shares were not offered by the Predecessor Value Fund and Predecessor Growth Fund. Different share classes of mutual fund investment portfolios generally have substantially similar annual returns because they are invested in the same investment portfolio of securities. Annual returns differ as a result of the expenses of a particular share class. Class A Shares of the Predecessor Fund had a 0.45% distribution and service fee while Service Shares of the Fund have a 0.50% combined service fee and shareholder administration fee. The information for the Predecessor Value Fund and Predecessor Growth Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Value and Predecessor Growth Funds’ financial statements are included in their annual report and is available upon request.
 
52


 

APPENDIX B

PREDECESSOR VALUE FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.49     $ 10.45     $ 9.78     $ 7.09     $ 8.17     $ 7.84  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    0.05       (0.05 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.04 )     (0.02 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    2.10       1.23       0.70       2.73       (0.93 )     0.38  
   
Total from investment operations
    2.15       1.18       0.67       2.69       (0.97 )     0.36  
   
Less distributions:
Distributions from realized gains
    (0.45 )     (0.14 )                 (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   
Redemption fees
    —#       —#       —#             —#       —#  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 13.19     $ 11.49     $ 10.45     $ 9.78     $ 7.09     $ 8.17  
   
Total return b†
    19.38 %     11.35 %     6.85 %     37.94 %     (11.88 )%     4.63 %
   
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 264,595     $ 252,526     $ 254,300     $ 250,241     $ 188,979     $ 218,905  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
 
After waivers a
    1.60 %     1.64 %     1.59 %     1.60 %     1.64 %     1.57 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.59 %     1.63 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.60 %     1.64 %     1.59 %     1.60 %     1.64 %     1.57 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    0.37 %     (0.41 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.46 )%     (0.50 )%     (0.21 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    0.38 %     (0.40 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers a
    0.37 %     (0.41 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.46 )%     (0.50 )%     (0.21 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    4 %     4 %     10 %     8 %     19 %     32 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
  Per share benefit to net investment income (loss)   $     $       *       *       *       *  

See page 54 for all footnotes.
 
53


 

PREDECESSOR GROWTH FUND

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 28.23     $ 26.45     $ 26.74     $ 21.76     $ 28.90     $ 30.90  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.38 )     (0.26 )     (0.29 )     (0.33 )     (0.35 )     (0.39 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    6.64       2.04       —#       5.31       (6.79 )     (1.40 )
   
Total from investment operations
    6.26       1.78       (0.29 )     4.98       (7.14 )     (1.79 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Distributions from realized gains
    (1.71 )                             (0.22 )
   
Redemption fees
    —#       —#       —#       —#       —#       0.01  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 32.78     $ 28.23     $ 26.45     $ 26.74     $ 21.76     $ 28.90  
   
Total return b†
    23.15 %     6.69 %     (1.08 )%     22.89 %     (24.71 )%     (5.72 )%
   
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 47,721     $ 42,959     $ 44,184     $ 44,265     $ 31,714     $ 37,413  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
 
After waivers a
    1.65 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.65 %     1.73 %     1.85 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.60 %     1.20 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.18 %     2.23 %     2.02 %     2.04 %     2.09 %     2.01 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
 
After waivers a
    (1.30 )%     (1.37 )%     (1.34 )%     (1.41 )%     (1.43 )%     (1.40 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.25 )%     (0.92 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (1.83 )%     (1.95 )%     (1.71 )%     (1.80 )%     (1.79 )%     (1.56 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    60 %     146 %     88 %     81 %     35 %     42 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $ 0.16     $ 0.29       *       *       *       *  

 
*
Prior to the year ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
#
Per share amount is less than $0.005.

The total returns for Class A do not include sales charges.
a
Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
b
Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
c
Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
d
Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
e
Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
54


 

 
  Index
         
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    3 Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
    3   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund
    5   Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
 
    7 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    9 Principal Risks of the Funds
 
    12 Fund Performance
 
    13 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
    16 Service Providers
 
    22 Dividends
 
    23 Shareholder Guide
    23   How To Buy Shares
    29   How To Sell Shares
 
    36 Taxation
 
    39 Appendix A
     Additional Information on
     Portfolio Risks, Securities
     and Techniques
 
    52 Appendix B
     Predecessor Funds’
     Financial Highlights


 

 
  Structured Equity Funds
Prospectus
(Service Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/ Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Funds had not commenced operations. The annual report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 will become available to shareholders in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Funds and their policies is also available in the Funds’ Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Funds’ website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Funds’ investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

GOLDMAN SACHS STRATEGIC

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Class A, Class B, Class C, Service and Institutional Shares

Supplement dated January 19, 2007 to the

Prospectus dated January 19, 2007


The Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares of the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund have been created in connection with the proposed acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund (the “Fund”) of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (“Enterprise Trust”).

It is anticipated that at a shareholder meeting in the second quarter of 2007, the shareholders of the Fund will be asked to approve a proposed agreement and plan of reorganization whereby the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund would be acquired by the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund.

The Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund is a newly organized fund that has been created for purposes of acquiring the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund. If the reorganization is approved by the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund’s shareholders, for purposes of the reorganization, the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund will be considered the accounting survivor of its reorganization, and accordingly, certain financial highlights and other information relating to the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund have been included in the attached prospectus and presented as if the Enterprise Trust reorganization has been consummated. However, as of the date of this prospectus, the reorganization has not yet been approved by shareholders and has not occurred.

AXAINTLSTK 1-07

538581


 

Prospectus
  Class A, B
and C Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”) serves as investment adviser to the Strategic International Equity Fund. GSAMI is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STYLE FUND   

  GSAMI’s Active International Investment Philosophy:

     
    Belief How the Investment Adviser Acts on Belief

n  Equity markets are inefficient
  Seeks excess return through team driven, research intensive and bottom-up stock selection.
 
n  Corporate fundamentals
 ultimately drive share price
  Seeks to conduct rigorous, first-hand research of business and company management.
 
n  A business’ intrinsic value
 will be achieved over time
  Seeks to realize value through a long-term investment horizon.

  The Investment Adviser attempts to manage risk in the Fund through disciplined portfolio construction and continual portfolio review and analysis. As a result, bottom-up stock selection, driven by fundamental research, should be a main driver of returns.
 
  Investments are selected through a rigorous bottom-up research process. Particular emphasis is placed on investing in companies that demonstrate long-term earnings power, which the Investment Adviser defines as the ability of a company to generate strong, sustainable earnings and to create value for shareholders over the long term. Rigorous, formal and informal debate enhances the quality of the Investment Adviser’s final investment decisions regarding these companies.


  References in this Prospectus to the Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how the Fund is managed.

 
1


 

 
  Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Strategic International Equity Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  MSCI ® EAFE ® Index (unhedged)
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in companies organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States
Investment Style:
  Active International
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective by investing in the stocks of leading companies within developed and emerging countries around the world, outside the U.S.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.* The Fund intends to invest in companies with public stock market capitalizations that are larger than $500 million at the time of investment.
 
  The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries.
 
  The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in the developed countries of Western Europe and in Japan. From time to time, the Fund’s investments in a particular developed country may exceed 25% of its investment portfolio. In addition, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging

 
To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
2


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

  countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.
 
 
  Other.  The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

 
3


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. The Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Fund publishes on its website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which the Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

     
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) ( italic type )
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type) Strategic
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; International
      limited only by the objectives and strategies Equity
      of the Fund Fund

Investment Practices
Borrowings
  33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
 
Currency Swaps *
 
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
 
Equity Swaps *
 
Foreign Currency Transactions
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)
  10
Options on Foreign Currencies 1
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 2
 
Unseasoned Companies
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Securities Lending
  33 1/3
Short Sales Against the Box
  25
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
 

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options.
2
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
4


 

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
         
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending collateral) ( italic type )
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type) Strategic
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; International
      limited only by the objectives and strategies Equity
      of the Fund Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary Receipts
     
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 2
     
 
Bank Obligations 1,2
     
 
Convertible Securities
     
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2
     
 
Equity Investments
     80+  
 
Emerging Country Securities
     
 
Fixed-Income Securities 3
    20  
 
Foreign Securities
     
 
Foreign Government Securities 2
     
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities 2,4
     
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts
     
 
Structured Securities *
     
 
Temporary Investments
    35   
 
U.S. Government Securities 2
     

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
Issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
3
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities,” fixed-income securities are investment grade (e.g., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
4
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s, Ba or lower by Moody’s or have a comparable rating by another NRSRO at the time of investment.
 
5


 

 
Principal Risks of the Fund

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

     
Strategic
International
•    Applicable Equity

Credit/Default
 
 
Foreign
 
 
Emerging Countries
 
 
Stock
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
Interest Rate
 
 
Management
 
 
Market
 
 
Liquidity
 
 
Investment Style
 
 
Geographic
 
 
Mid Cap and Small Cap
 

n   Credit/Default Risk —The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. The Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when the Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.
n   Emerging Countries Risk —The securities markets of Asian, Latin, Central and South American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements
 
6


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND

as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in certain emerging countries involves risk of loss resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investment in more developed countries.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from the Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. The Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. The Fund will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Fund and other funds for which Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in the Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. The Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different

 
7


 

investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Geographic Risk —Concentration of the investments in issuers located in a particular country or region will subject the Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory or economic events which may occur in that country or region.
n   Mid Cap and Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Both mid-cap and small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
8


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED   

  The Fund has not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of the Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization the Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAMI.
 
9


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Class A, B and C Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Class A, Class B, or Class C Shares of the Fund.

                         
Strategic International Equity Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
                       
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    5.5% 1     None       None  
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 2
    None 1     5.0% 3     1.0% 4
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None       None       None  
Redemption Fees 5
    2.0%       2.0%       2.0%  
Exchange Fees
    None       None       None  
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 6
               
Management Fees 7
    0.85%       0.85%       0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 8 *
    0.55%       0.55%       0.55%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*
    1.65%       2.40%       2.40%  

See page 11 for all other footnotes.

  The “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waiver and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  

                         
Strategic International Equity Fund

Class A Class B Class C

Annual Fund Operating Expenses 6
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):
                       
Management Fees 7
    0.85%       0.85%       0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    0.25%       1.00%       1.00%  
Other Expenses 8
    0.35%       0.35%       0.35%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current expense limitations)
    1.45%       2.20%       2.20%  

 
10


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

1
The maximum sales charge is a percentage of the offering price. Under certain circumstances, which are described in the Shareholder Guide, the maximum sales charge may be reduced or waived entirely. A CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions (within 18 months of purchase) of Class A Shares sold without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more.
 
2
The maximum CDSC is a percentage of the lesser of the NAV at the time of the redemption or the NAV when the shares were originally purchased.
 
3
A CDSC is imposed upon Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase at a rate of 5% in the first year, declining to 1% in the sixth year, and eliminated thereafter.
 
4
A CDSC of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
 
5
A 2% redemption fee will be imposed on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less.
 
6
The Fund’s annual operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
 
7
The Investment Adviser is entitled to a management fee from the Fund at an annual rate equal to the following percentages of the average daily net assets of the Fund: 0.85% on the first $1 billion, 0.77% on the next $1 billion and 0.73% over $2 billion.
 
8
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.19% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A, B and C Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to 0.16% the Fund’s average daily net assets. These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.

 
11


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses continued

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund (without expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, B or C Shares of 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:

                                   
Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Strategic International Equity
                               
Class A Shares
  $ 709     $ 1,042     $ 1,398     $ 2,397  
Class B Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 743     $ 1,048     $ 1,480     $ 2,550  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 243     $ 748     $ 1,280     $ 2,550  
Class C Shares
                               
 
– Assuming complete redemption at end of period
  $ 343     $ 748     $ 1,280     $ 2,736  
 
– Assuming no redemption
  $ 243     $ 748     $ 1,280     $ 2,736  

The hypothetical example assumes that a CDSC will not apply to redemptions of Class A Shares within the first 18 months.

Certain institutions that sell Fund shares and/or their salespersons may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Fund. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
12


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”)
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, England EC1A 7HD
  Strategic International Equity

  GSAMI, a member of the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited since 1990 and a registered investment adviser since 1991, is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAMI had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Fund, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of the Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

 
13


 

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) listed below:

             
Management
Fee Average Daily
GSAMI: Annual Rate Net Assets

Strategic International Equity
    0.85 %   First $1 Billion
      0.77     Next $1 Billion
      0.73     Over $2 Billion

  The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s annual report dated August 31, 2007.

 
14


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

   FUND MANAGERS   

  Active International Portfolio Management Team
  n   Global portfolio teams based in London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. Local presence is a key to the Investment Adviser’s fundamental research capabilities
  n   Team manages over $17 billion in international equities for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
  n   Focus on bottom-up stock selection as main driver of returns, though the team leverages the asset allocation, currency and risk management capabilities of GSAMI

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Mark Beveridge, CFA
Managing Director,
Chief Investment Officer, Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Beveridge joined the Investment Adviser in December 2004 as Chief Investment Officer of the Non-US Active Equity business which encompasses the Global/International, UK/European, Asia ex Japan and Japan strategies. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser, he spent 19 years at Franklin Templeton, where he was Executive Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for ex-US portfolios.

William Howard, CFA
Managing Director
Director of Research,
Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Howard joined the Investment Adviser in January 2005 as a portfolio manager. He is also Director of Research for Non-US Active Equity. From 1993 to 2004 he was a Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton responsible for ex-US portfolios.

Michael Stanes
Executive Director
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Stanes joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in November 2002. From 1986 to 2001, he worked at Mercury Asset Management, where he managed UK equity portfolios in London, Japanese equity portfolios in Tokyo and US and global portfolios in the US.

  Mark Beveridge serves as Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of GSAM’s Non-US Active Equity team and CIO of GSAMI’s Global/EAFE strategies. As CIO, Mr. Beveridge is ultimately responsible for the composition of a Fund’s structure at both the stock and industry level. Along with the other portfolio managers on the
 
15


 

  team, Mr. Beveridge has specific industry research responsibilities. Each portfolio manager is responsible for liaising with research analysts around the world, promoting his or her stock selection ideas to the other members of the team and after debating their inclusion in the portfolio.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund or limit the Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Fund directly and indirectly invests. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any

 
16


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, and it is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, the Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Fund. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Fund. The Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Fund, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to, distributors, consultants and others who recommend the Fund as when acquisitions with or for the Fund. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund has retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Fund to the extent that the Fund engages in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Fund, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Fund’s investment of the cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investment transactions.

 
17


 

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation, and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, GSAMI, Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”) the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of-fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and charges; and

 
18


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
19


 

 
  Dividends
 
  The Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through these taxes to you. If this election is made, a proportionate amount of such taxes will constitute a distribution to you, which would allow you either (i) to credit such proportionate amount of foreign taxes against your U.S. federal income tax liability or (ii) to take such amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  Dividends from investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid annually by the Fund.
 
  From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of the Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
20


 

 
  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES   

  How Can I Purchase Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Fund?
  You may purchase shares of the Fund through:
  n   Authorized Dealers;
  n   Goldman Sachs; or
  n   Directly from the Trust.

  In order to make an initial investment in the Fund, you must furnish to the Fund, Goldman Sachs or your Authorized Dealer the information in the Account Application. An order will be processed upon receipt of payment.
 
  To Open an Account:
  n   Complete the Account Application
  n   Mail your payment and Account Application to:
      Your Authorized Dealer
      —  Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to your Authorized Dealer
      —  Your Authorized Dealer is responsible for forwarding payment promptly (within three business days) to the Fund
      or
      Goldman Sachs Funds , P.O. Box 219711, Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
      —  Purchases by check or Federal Reserve draft should be made payable to Goldman Sachs Funds – (Name of Fund and Class of Shares)
      —  Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”), the Fund’s sub-transfer agent, will not accept checks drawn on foreign banks, third-party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.
      —  For federal funds wire, Automated Clearing House Network (“ACH”) transfer or bank wires, please call the Fund at 1-800-526-7384 to get detailed instructions on how to wire your money.

 
21


 

  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?

                 
Initial Additional*

Regular Accounts
    $1,000       $50  

Employee Sponsored Benefit Plans
    $250       No Minimum  

Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors (UTMA/UGMA)
    $250       $50  

Individual Retirement Accounts and Coverdell ESAs
    $250       $50  

Automatic Investment Plans
    $250       $50  

  No minimum additional investment requirements are imposed with respect to investors trading through intermediaries who aggregate shares in omnibus or similar accounts (e.g., retirement plan accounts, wrap program accounts or traditional brokerage house accounts).

  The minimum investment requirement may be waived for certain mutual fund “wrap” programs at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for subsequent investments.
 
  What Alternative Sales Arrangements Are Available?
  The Fund offers three classes of shares through this Prospectus.

         

Maximum Amount You Can Buy In The Aggregate Across Funds
  Class A   No limit
   
    Class B   $100,000*
   
    Class C   $1,000,000*

Initial Sales Charge
  Class A   Applies to purchases of less than $1 million—varies by size of investment with a maximum of 5.5%
   
    Class B   None
   
    Class C   None

CDSC
  Class A   1.00% on certain investments of $1 million or more if you sell within 18 months
   
    Class B   6 year declining CDSC with a maximum of 5%
   
    Class C   1% if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase

Conversion Feature
  Class A   None
   
    Class B   Class B Shares automatically convert to Class A Shares after 8 years
   
    Class C   None

  No additional Class B Shares or Class C Shares may be purchased by an investor either in an initial purchase or in subsequent purchases if the current market value of the shares owned and/or purchased equals or exceeds $100,000 in the case of Class B Shares or $1,000,000 in the case of Class C Shares.
 
22


 

SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.
  n   Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen any such Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.
  n   Modify or waive the minimum investment requirements.
  n   Modify the manner in which shares are offered.
  n   Modify the sales charge rates applicable to future purchases of shares.

  Generally, the Fund will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Fund.
 
  The Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for investors who open accounts with the Fund. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Fund. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Fund reserves the right to (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.

 
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  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for a share class (as adjusted for any applicable sales charge). The price you receive when you sell or exchange shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for a share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge (e.g., CDSC’s or redemption fees). Each class calculates its NAV as follows:

     

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Fund’s investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  For Funds that invest a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Fund, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.
 
  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

  n   NAV per share of each share class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, (as adjusted for any applicable sales charge) next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form. Redemption proceeds are reduced by any applicable CDSC or redemption fee.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than the Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open the Fund for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the

 
25


 

  Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether the Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-526-7384.
 
  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the Fund is closed. As a result, the NAV of the Fund may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

   COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class A Shares?
  The offering price of Class A Shares of the Fund is the next determined NAV per share plus an initial sales charge paid to Goldman Sachs at the time of purchase of shares. The sales charge varies depending upon the amount you purchase. In some cases, described below, the initial sales charge may be eliminated altogether, and the offering price will be the NAV per share. The current sales charges and commissions paid to Authorized Dealers for Class A Shares of the Fund are as follows:

                         
Sales Charge Maximum Dealer
Sales Charge as as Percentage Allowance as
Amount of Purchase Percentage of of Net Amount Percentage of
(including sales charge, if any) Offering Price Invested Offering Price*

Less than $50,000
    5.50 %     5.82 %     5.00 %
$50,000 up to (but less than) $100,000
    4.75       4.99       4.00  
$100,000 up to (but less than) $250,000
    3.75       3.90       3.00  
$250,000 up to (but less than) $500,000
    2.75       2.83       2.25  
$500,000 up to (but less than) $1 million
    2.00       2.04       1.75  
$1 million or more
    0.00 **     0.00 **     ***  

 
    *
Dealer’s allowance may be changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire sales charge may be allowed to Authorized Dealers. Authorized Dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is allowed may be deemed to be “underwriters” under the Securities Act of 1933.
  **
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase of Class A Shares of $1 million or more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed in the event of certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase.
***
The Distributor may pay a one-time commission to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more of shares of the Fund equal to 1.00% of the amount under $3 million, 0.50% of the next $2 million, and 0.25% thereafter. In instances where an Authorized Dealer (including Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management Unit) agrees to waive its receipt of the one-time commission described above, the CDSC on Class A Shares, generally, will be waived. The Distributor may also pay, with respect to all or a portion of the amount purchased, a commission in accordance with the foregoing schedule to Authorized Dealers who initiate or are responsible for purchases of $500,000 or more by certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations investing in the Fund which satisfy the criteria set forth below in “When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?” or $1 million or more by certain “wrap” accounts. Purchases by such plans will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge, but if shares are redeemed within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which such purchase
 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
was made, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan, the plan sponsor or the third-party administrator. In addition, Authorized Dealers will remit to the Distributor such payments received in connection with “wrap” accounts in the event that shares are redeemed within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made.

  You should note that the actual sales charge that appears in your mutual fund transaction confirmation may differ slightly from the rate disclosed above in the Prospectus due to rounding calculations.
 
  As indicated in the above chart, and as discussed further below and in the section titled “How Can the Sales Charge on Class A Shares Be Reduced?,” you may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to pay reduced sales charges on your purchases of Class A Shares or have those charges waived entirely. To take advantage of these discounts, you or your Authorized Dealer or financial intermediary must notify the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of your purchase order that a discount may apply to your current purchases. You may also be required to provide appropriate documentation to receive these discounts, including:

   (i)  Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other Goldman Sachs Funds held in all accounts ( e.g., retirement accounts) of the shareholder at the financial intermediary;
 
   (ii)  Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other Goldman Sachs Funds held in any account of the shareholder at another financial intermediary; and

  (iii)  Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other Goldman Sachs Funds held at any financial intermediary by related parties of the shareholder, such as members of the same family or household.

  You should note in particular that, if the Fund’s Transfer Agent is properly notified, under the “Right of Accumulation” described below, the “Amount of Purchase” in the chart on the preceding page will be deemed to include all Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds that were acquired by purchase or exchange, and that were subject to a sales charge, that are held at the time of purchase by any of the following persons: (i) you, your spouse and your children; and (ii) any trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account. This includes, for example, any Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares held at a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary other than the one handling your current purchase. In some circumstances, other Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares may be aggregated with your current purchase under the Right of Accumulation as described in the Additional Statement. For purposes of determining the “Amount of Purchase,” all Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares held at the time of purchase will be valued at their current market value.
 
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  You should also note that if you provide the Transfer Agent a signed written Statement of Intention to invest (not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions) in the aggregate, $50,000 or more in Class A Shares of one or more Goldman Sachs Funds within a 13-month period, any investments you make during the 13 months will be treated as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum and you will receive the discounted sales load based on your investment commitment. You must, however, inform the Transfer Agent that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Statement of Intention.
 
  In addition to the information provided in this Prospectus and the Additional Statement, information about sales charge discounts is available from your Authorized Dealer or financial intermediary and, free of charge, on the Fund’s website at http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Class A Shares’ CDSC?
  Purchases of $1 million or more of Class A Shares will be made at NAV with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem shares within 18 months after the end of the calendar month in which the purchase was made, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed. The CDSC may not be imposed if your Authorized Dealer enters into an agreement with the Distributor to return all or an applicable prorated portion of its commission to the Distributor. The CDSC is waived on redemptions in certain circumstances. See “In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?” below.
 
  When Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?
  Class A Shares of the Fund may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to the following individuals and entities:
  n   Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of these individuals;
  n   Qualified employee benefit plans of Goldman Sachs;
  n   Trustees or directors of investment companies for which Goldman Sachs or an affiliate acts as sponsor;
  n   Any employee or registered representative of any Authorized Dealer or their respective spouses, children and parents;
  n   Banks, trust companies or other types of depository institutions;
  n   Any state, county or city, or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof, which is prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or commission in connection with the purchase of shares of the Fund;

 
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  n   Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental or church employers) or employee organizations (“Employee Benefit Plans”) that:
     n   Buy shares of Goldman Sachs Funds worth $500,000 or more; or
     n   Have 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase; or
     n   Certify that they expect to have annual plan purchases of shares of Goldman Sachs Funds of $200,000 or more; or
     n   Are provided administrative services by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plans; or
     n   Have at the time of purchase aggregate assets of at least $2,000,000;
  n   Non-qualified pension plans sponsored by employers who also sponsor qualified plans that qualify for and invest in Goldman Sachs Funds at NAV without the payment of any sales charge;
  n   Insurance company separate accounts that make the Funds available as underlying investments in certain group annuity contracts;
  n   “Wrap” accounts for the benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial institutions or financial planners, provided they have entered into an agreement with GSAM specifying aggregate minimums and certain operating policies and standards;
  n   Registered investment advisers investing for accounts for which they receive asset-based fees;
  n   Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion;
  n   Shareholders receiving distributions from a qualified Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds and reinvesting such proceeds in a Goldman Sachs IRA;
  n   Shareholders who roll over distributions from any tax-qualified Employee Benefit plan or tax-sheltered annuity to an IRA which invests in the Goldman Sachs Funds if the tax-qualified Employee Benefit plan or tax-sheltered annuity receives administrative services provided by certain third-party administrators that have entered into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such plan or annuity;
  n   State sponsored 529 college savings plans; or
  n   Investors who qualify under other exemptions that are stated from time to time in the Additional Statement.

  You must certify eligibility for any of the above exemptions on your Account Application and notify the Fund if you no longer are eligible for the exemption. The Fund will grant you an exemption subject to confirmation of your
 
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  entitlement. You may be charged a fee if you effect your transactions through a broker or agent.
 
  How Can The Sales Charge On Class A Shares Be Reduced?
  n   Right of Accumulation: When buying Class A Shares in Goldman Sachs Funds, your current aggregate investment determines the initial sales load you pay. You may qualify for reduced sales charges when the current market value of holdings across Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares, plus new purchases, reaches $50,000 or more. Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any of the Goldman Sachs Funds may be combined under the Right of Accumulation. For purposes of applying the Right of Accumulation, shares of the Fund and any other Goldman Sachs Funds purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, under some circumstances, Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Fund and Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, and certain other organizations may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the Right of Accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. To qualify for a reduced sales load, you or your Authorized Dealer must notify the Fund’s Transfer Agent at the time of investment that a quantity discount is applicable. Use of this option is subject to a check of appropriate records. The Additional Statement has more information about the Right of Accumulation.
  n   Statement of Intention: You may obtain a reduced sales charge by means of a written Statement of Intention which expresses your non-binding commitment to invest (not counting reinvestments of dividends and distributions) in the aggregate $50,000 or more within a period of 13 months in Class A Shares of one or more of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Any investments you make during the period will receive the discounted sales load based on the full amount of your investment commitment. At your request, purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included; however, capital appreciation does not apply toward these combined purchases. If the investment commitment of the Statement of Intention is not met prior to the expiration of the 13-month period, the entire amount will be subject to the higher applicable sales charge unless the failure to meet the investment commitment is due to the death of the investor. By selecting the Statement of Intention, you authorize the Transfer Agent to escrow and redeem Class A Shares in your account to pay this additional

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  charge. The Additional Statement has more information about the Statement of Intention, which you should read carefully.

   COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS B SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class B Shares?
  You may purchase Class B Shares of the Fund at the next determined NAV without an initial sales charge. However, Class B Shares redeemed within six years of purchase will be subject to a CDSC at the rates shown in the table below based on how long you held your shares.
 
  The CDSC schedule is as follows:

         
CDSC as a
Percentage of
Dollar Amount
Year Since Purchase Subject to CDSC

First
    5%  
Second
    4%  
Third
    3%  
Fourth
    3%  
Fifth
    2%  
Sixth
    1%  
Seventh and thereafter
    None  

  Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class B Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. A commission equal to 4% of the amount invested is paid to Authorized Dealers.
 
  What Should I Know About The Automatic Conversion Of Class B Shares?
  Class B Shares of the Fund will automatically convert into Class A Shares of the Fund at the end of the calendar quarter that is eight years after the purchase date.
 
  If you acquire Class B Shares of the Fund by exchange from Class B Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares of the Fund based on the date of the initial purchase and the CDSC schedule of that purchase.
 
  If you acquire Class B Shares through reinvestment of distributions, your Class B Shares will convert into Class A Shares based on the date of the initial purchase of the shares on which the distribution was paid.

 
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  The conversion of Class B Shares to Class A Shares will not occur at any time the Fund is advised that such conversions may constitute taxable events for federal tax purposes, which the Fund believes is unlikely. If conversions do not occur as a result of possible taxability, Class B Shares would continue to be subject to higher expenses than Class A Shares for an indeterminate period.

   A COMMON QUESTION ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES   

  What Is The Offering Price Of Class C Shares?
  You may purchase Class C Shares of the Fund at the next determined NAV without paying an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem Class C Shares within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% will normally be deducted from the redemption proceeds. In connection with purchases by Employee Benefit Plans, where Class C Shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the plan sponsor or third-party administrator.
 
  Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be used in whole or in part to defray the Distributor’s expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of Class C Shares, including the payment of compensation to Authorized Dealers. An amount equal to 1% of the amount invested is normally paid by the Distributor to Authorized Dealers.

   COMMON QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A, 
   B AND C SHARES   

  What Else Do I Need To Know About The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares?
  n   The CDSC is based on the lesser of the NAV of the shares at the time of redemption or the original offering price (which is the original NAV).
     n   No CDSC is charged on shares acquired from reinvested dividends or capital gains distributions.
     n   No CDSC is charged on the per share appreciation of your account over the initial purchase price.
     n   When counting the number of months since a purchase of Class B or Class C Shares was made, all payments made during a month will be combined and considered to have been made on the first day of that month.
  n   To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Fund will first sell any shares in your account that do not carry a CDSC and then the shares in your account that have been held the longest.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  In What Situations May The CDSC On Class A, B Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced?
  The CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares that are subject to a CDSC may be waived or reduced if the redemption relates to:
  n   Retirement distributions or loans to participants or beneficiaries from Employee Benefit Plans;
  n   The death or disability (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) of a shareholder, participant or beneficiary in a Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Hardship withdrawals by a participant or beneficiary in a Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Satisfying the minimum distribution requirements of the Code;
  n   Establishing “substantially equal periodic payments” as described under Section 72(t)(2) of the Code;
  n   The separation from service by a participant or beneficiary in a Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Excess contributions distributed from a Employee Benefit Plan;
  n   Distributions from a qualified Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds which are being rolled over to a Goldman Sachs IRA in the same share class; or
  n   Redemption proceeds which are to be reinvested in accounts or non-registered products over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion.

  In addition, Class A, B and C Shares subject to a systematic withdrawal plan may be redeemed without a CDSC. The Fund reserves the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual basis, to 12% each of the value of your Class B and C Shares and 10% of the value of your Class A Shares.
 
  How Do I Decide Whether To Buy Class A, B Or C Shares?
  The decision as to which Class to purchase depends on the amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and your personal situation.
  n   Class A Shares. If you are making an investment of $50,000 or more that qualifies for a reduced sales charge, you should consider purchasing Class A Shares.
  n   Class B Shares. If you plan to hold your investment for at least six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you might consider purchasing Class B Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class B Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class B Shares will cause your Class B Shares (until conversion to Class A Shares) to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares. A maximum

 
33


 

  purchase limitation of $100,000 in the aggregate normally applies to Class B Shares across all Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Class C Shares. If you are unsure of the length of your investment or plan to hold your investment for less than six years and would prefer not to pay an initial sales charge, you may prefer Class C Shares. By not paying a front-end sales charge, your entire investment in Class C Shares is available to work for you from the time you make your initial investment. However, the distribution and service fee paid by Class C Shares will cause your Class C Shares to have a higher expense ratio, and thus lower performance and lower dividend payments (to the extent dividends are paid) than Class A Shares (or Class B Shares after conversion to Class A Shares).

    Although Class C Shares are subject to a CDSC for only 12 months, Class C Shares do not have the automatic eight year conversion feature applicable to Class B Shares and your investment may pay higher distribution fees indefinitely.
 
    A maximum purchase limitation of $1,000,000 in the aggregate normally applies to purchases of Class C Shares across all Goldman Sachs Funds.

  Note: Authorized Dealers may receive different compensation for selling Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.
 
  In addition to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, the Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.

   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Class A, Class B And Class C Shares Of The Fund?
  You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, the Fund will redeem its shares upon request on any business day at the NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form, subject to any applicable CDSC or redemption fee. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
     
Instructions For Redemptions:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Your name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Your account number
         n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount you want to sell
         n  How and where to send the proceeds
         n  Obtain a Medallion signature guarantee (see details below)
    n  Mail your request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 219711
    Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
    or for overnight delivery:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    330 West 9th Street
    Poindexter Bldg., 1st Floor
    Kansas City, MO 64105

By Telephone:
  If you have not declined the telephone redemption privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-526-7384
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)
    n  You may redeem up to $50,000 of your shares daily
    n  Proceeds which are sent directly to a Goldman Sachs
    brokerage account or to the bank account designated on your
    Account Application are not subject to the $50,000 limit

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person with a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
 
  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee is required if:
  n   You are requesting in writing to redeem shares in an amount over $50,000;
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change the bank designated on your Account Application.

  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee

 
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  Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account or the owner’s registered representative where the owner has not declined in writing to use this service. Thus, you risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized by you.
 
  In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and BFDS each employ reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Proceeds of telephone redemption requests will be sent only to your address of record or authorized bank account designated in the Account Application (unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion signature guarantee, indicating another address or account).
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will only be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Applications (see immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the redemption by check during this time period, the redemption request must be in the form of a written Medallion signature guaranteed letter.
  n   The telephone redemption option does not apply to shares held in a “street name” account. “Street name” accounts are accounts maintained and serviced by your Authorized Dealer. If your account is held in “street name,” you should contact your registered representative of record, who may make telephone redemptions on your behalf.
  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
  n   If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
  n   If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions (with your Medallion signature guarantee) to the Transfer Agent.
  n   Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any Authorized Dealer assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

  By Check: You may elect to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About The Redemption Fee?
  The Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less. For this purpose, the Fund uses a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee will be paid to the Fund, and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money

 
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  movements in and out of the Fund. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption transaction, through a separate billing.
 
  The redemption fee does not apply to transactions involving the following:
  n   Redemptions of shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
  n   Redemptions of shares that are acquired or redeemed in connection with the participation in a systematic withdrawal program or automatic investment plan.
  n   Redemptions of shares by other Goldman Sachs Funds ( e.g. , Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios).
  n   Redemptions of shares held through discretionary wrap programs or models programs that utilize a regularly scheduled automatic rebalancing of assets and that have provided GSAM with certain representations regarding certain operating policies and standards.
  n   Redemptions of shares involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges from retirement plans and accounts maintained pursuant to Section 401 (tax-qualified pension, profit sharing, 401(k), money purchase and stock bonus plans), 403 (qualified annuity plans and tax-sheltered annuities) and 457 (deferred compensation plans for employees of tax-exempt entities or governments) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Redemptions involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges would include, for example: loans; required minimum distributions; rollovers; forfeiture; redemptions of shares to pay fees; plan level redemptions or exchanges; redemptions pursuant to systematic withdrawal programs; return of excess contribution amounts; hardship withdrawals; redemptions related to death, disability or qualified domestic relations order; and certain other transactions.
  n   Redemptions of shares from accounts of financial institutions in connection with hedging services provided in support of nonqualified deferred compensation plans offering the Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Redemption of shares where the Fund is made available as an underlying investment in certain group annuity contracts.
  n   Redemption of shares that are issued as part of an investment company reorganization to which a Goldman Sachs Fund is a party.
  n   Redemptions of shares representing “seed capital” investments by Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

  The Trust reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fee or waivers at any time and will give 60 days’ prior written notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law. The redemption fee policy may be modified or amended in the future.

 
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  In addition to the circumstances noted above, the Trust reserves the right to grant additional exceptions based on such factors as system limitations, operational limitations, contractual limitations and further guidance from the SEC or other regulators.
 
  If your shares are held through a financial intermediary in an omnibus or other group account, the Trust relies on the financial intermediary to assess the redemption fee on underlying shareholder accounts. The application of redemption fees may vary and certain intermediaries may not apply the exceptions listed above. If you invest through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary for more information regarding when redemption fees will be applied to the redemption of your shares.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. These institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares if your account balance falls below the required Fund minimum as a result of a redemption. The Fund will not redeem your shares on this basis if the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a result of market conditions. The Fund will give you 60 days’ prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption.
  n   Redeem your shares in the event your Authorized Dealer’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Authorized Dealer. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from the redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interests of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.

 
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  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. Your participation in a systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if your checks remain uncashed. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
  n   Charge an additional fee in the event a redemption is made via wire transfer.

  Can I Reinvest Redemption Proceeds In The Same Or Another Goldman Sachs Fund?
  You may redeem shares of the Fund and reinvest a portion or all of the redemption proceeds (plus any additional amounts needed to round off purchases to the nearest full share) at NAV. To be eligible for this privilege, you must have held the shares you want to redeem for at least 30 days and you must reinvest the share proceeds within 90 days after you redeem. You may reinvest as follows:
  n   Class A or B Shares—Class A Shares of the Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund
  n   Class C Shares—Class C Shares of the Fund or another Goldman Sachs Fund
  n   You should obtain and read the applicable prospectuses before investing in any other Funds.
  n   If you pay a CDSC upon redemption of Class A or Class C Shares and then reinvest in Class A or Class C Shares as described above, your account will be credited with the amount of the CDSC you paid. The reinvested shares will, however, continue to be subject to a CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will include the holding period of the redeemed shares for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption. For Class B Shares, you may reinvest the redemption proceeds in Class A Shares at NAV but the amount of the CDSC paid upon redemption of the Class B Shares will not be credited to your account.
  n   The reinvestment privilege may be exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered Employee Benefit Plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.
  n   You may be subject to tax as a result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
  You may exchange shares of the Fund at NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC at the time of exchange for shares of the same class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Redemption of shares (including by exchange) of the Fund that are held for 30 calendar days or less (60 calendar days or less with respect to the Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal

 
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  Fund) may however, be subject to a redemption fee as described above under “What Do I Need To Know About The Redemption Fee?” The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

     
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Account number
         n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount you want to exchange
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 219711
    Kansas City, MO 64121-9711
    or for overnight delivery -
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    330 West 9th St.
    Poindexter Bldg., 1st Floor
    Kansas City, MO 64105

By Telephone:
  If you have not declined the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-526-7384
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   Currently, there is no charge for exchanges, although the Fund may impose a charge in the future.
  n   The exchanged shares may later be exchanged for shares of the same class of the original Fund at the next determined NAV without the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC (but subject to any applicable redemption fee) if the amount in the Fund resulting from such exchanges is less than the largest amount on which you have previously paid the applicable sales charge.
  n   When you exchange shares subject to a CDSC, no CDSC will be charged at that time. The exchanged shares will be subject to the CDSC of the shares originally held. For purposes of determining the amount of the applicable CDSC, the length of time you have owned the shares will be measured from the date you acquired the original shares subject to a CDSC and will not be affected by a subsequent exchange.

 
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  n   Eligible investors may exchange certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the same Fund. For further information, call Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-526-7384 and see the Additional Statement.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. Exchanges into a money market fund need not meet the traditional minimum investment requirements for that fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.
  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
  n   Goldman Sachs and BFDS may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need to Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
  n   Exchanges into the Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.

   SHAREHOLDER SERVICES   

  Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may be able to make systematic investments through your bank via ACH transfer or via bank draft each month. The minimum dollar amount for this service is $250 for the initial investment and $50 per month. Forms for this option are available from Goldman Sachs and your Authorized Dealer, or you may check the appropriate box on the Account Application.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Can My Dividends And Distributions From The Fund Be Invested In Other Funds?
  You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions paid by the Fund in shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Shares will be purchased at NAV.
  n   You may elect cross-reinvestment into an identically registered account or a similarly registered account provided that at least one name on the account is registered identically.

  Can I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of the Fund for shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Shares will be purchased at NAV if a sales charge had been imposed on the initial purchase.
  n   Shares subject to a CDSC acquired under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of redemption from the Fund into which the exchange is made depending upon the date and value of your original purchase.
  n   Automatic exchanges are made monthly on the 15th day of each month or the first business day thereafter.
  n   Minimum dollar amount: $50 per month.

  What Else Should I Know About Cross-Reinvestments And Automatic Exchanges?
  Cross-reinvestments and automatic exchanges are subject to the following conditions:
  n   You must invest an amount in the Fund into which cross-reinvestments or automatic exchanges are being made that is equal to that Fund’s minimum initial investment.
  n   You should obtain and read the prospectus of the Fund into which dividends are invested or automatic exchanges are made.

  Can I Have Automatic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?
  You may redeem from your account systematically via check or ACH transfer in any amount of $50 or more.
  n   It is normally undesirable to maintain a systematic withdrawal plan at the same time that you are purchasing additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares because of the sales charge imposed on your purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on your redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares.
  n   Checks are normally mailed the next business day after your selected systematic withdrawal date of either the 15th or the 25th of the month.
  n   Each systematic withdrawal is a redemption and therefore a taxable transaction.

 
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  n   The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under the systematic withdrawal plan may be waived.

  What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My Investment?
  You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and quarterly account statement. A year-to-date statement for your account will be provided upon request made to Goldman Sachs. If your account is held in a “street name” you may receive your statements and confirmations on a different schedule.
 
  You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at 1-800-526-7384 or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 219711, Kansas City, MO 64121. The Fund will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.
 
  The Fund does not generally provide sub-accounting services.
 
  What Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized Dealer?
  Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and redeem Fund shares. In addition, Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries will be responsible for providing to you any communication, from the Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the source of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 of the Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not described in this Prospectus to their customers for such services.
 
  If shares of the Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to your account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will have no record of your transactions, you should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require you to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer. If your Authorized Dealer’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to another Authorized Dealer, the Trust reserves the right

 
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  to redeem your shares. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from a redemption.
 
  Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. In these cases:
  n   The Fund will be deemed to have received an order that is in proper form when the order is accepted by an Authorized Dealer or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share (adjusted for any applicable sales charge and redemption fee) next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Authorized Dealers and intermediaries are responsible for transmitting accepted orders to the Fund within the time period agreed upon by them.

  You should contact your Authorized Dealer or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized Dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Fund. The payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees and sales charges described in this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.

 
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  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend the Fund based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your Authorized Dealer or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.

   DISTRIBUTION SERVICES AND FEES   

  What Are The Different Distribution And Service Fees Paid By Class A, B and C Shares?
  The Trust has adopted distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”) under which Class A, Class B and Class C Shares bear distribution and service fees paid to Authorized Dealers and Goldman Sachs. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs generally pays the distribution and service fees on a quarterly basis.
 
  Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from the Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, respectively, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the 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 such charges.
 
  The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other things) for:
  n   Compensation paid to and expenses incurred by Authorized Dealers, Goldman Sachs and their respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
  n   Commissions paid to Authorized Dealers;
  n   Allocable overhead;
  n   Telephone and travel expenses;
  n   Interest and other costs associated with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
  n   Printing of prospectuses for prospective shareholders;
  n   Preparation and distribution of sales literature or advertising of any type; and
  n   All other expenses incurred in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an ongoing commission to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

   PERSONAL ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND FEES   

  Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class B or Class C Shares. This fee is for personal and account maintenance services, and may be used to make payments to Goldman Sachs, Authorized Dealers and their officers, sales representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of, and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership of their shares or their accounts or similar services not otherwise provided on behalf of the Fund. If the fees received by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this arrangement.
 
  In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year.

   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would
 
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  harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the Fund, certain other International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days of purchase with respect to Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. See “Shareholder Guide – How to Sell Shares – What Do I Need to Know About the Redemption Fee?” for more information about the redemption fee, including transactions and certain omnibus accounts to which the redemption fee does not apply. As a deterrent to excessive trading, many foreign equity securities held by the Fund are priced by an independent pricing service using fair valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see “Shareholder Guide – How to Buy Shares – How are Shares Priced?”
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs may reject or restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Fund’s market

 
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  timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, the Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Fund.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Fund from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholder must own Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend rate.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. It is not anticipated that any significant percentage of the Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders will be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. The Fund may make an election to treat a proportionate amount of those taxes as constituting a distribution to each shareholder, which would allow you either (i) to credit that proportionate amount of taxes against U.S. Federal income tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (ii) to take that amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  If you buy shares of the Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 
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   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Fund does not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that the Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Fund may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage-related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and the Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to

 
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  investors. The same would be true of asset-backed securities such as securities backed by car loans.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Fund Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Fund’s historical portfolio turnover rates.
 
  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization and Mid-Capitalization Companies. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small and mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the
 
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APPENDIX A

  Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small and mid-capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Fund may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency ( i.e. , weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which the Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.
 
  Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There

 
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  may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Concentration of the Fund’s assets in one or a few countries and currencies will subject the Fund to greater risks than if a Fund’s assets were not geographically concentrated.
 
  Investment in sovereign debt obligations by the Fund involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and the Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn the Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.
 
  A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Euro. On January 1, 1999, the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) introduced a new single currency called the euro. The euro has replaced the national currencies of the following member countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. In addition, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovakia became members of the EMU on May 1, 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania became members of the EMU on January 1, 2007, but these countries will not adopt the euro as their new currency until they can show that their economies have converged with the economies of the euro zone.
 
  The European Central Bank has control over each country’s monetary policies. Therefore, the member countries no longer control their own monetary policies by directing independent interest rates for their currencies. The national governments of the participating countries, however, have retained the authority to set tax and spending policies and public debt levels.
 
  The change to the euro as a single currency is relatively new and untested. The elimination of currency risk among EMU countries has affected the economic environment and behavior of investors, particularly in European markets, but the long-term impact of those changes on currency values or on the business or financial condition of European countries and issuers cannot be fully assessed at this time. In addition, the introduction of the euro presents other unique uncertainties, including the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies; whether the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of European countries participating in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the currencies of other countries that now are or may in the future become members of the European Union (“EU”) will have an impact on the euro. Also, it is possible that the euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use. In May and June 2005, voters in France and the Netherlands rejected ratification of the EU Constitution causing some other countries to postpone moves toward ratification. These or other events, including political and economic developments, could cause market disruptions, and could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. Because of the number of countries using this single currency, a significant portion of the assets held by the Fund may be denominated in the euro.
 
  Risks of Emerging Countries. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in the Asia and Pacific regions, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging

 
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  countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.
 
  Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by the Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. In situations where a country restricts direct investment in securities (which may occur in certain Asian and other countries), the Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.
 
  Many emerging countries have experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
 
  Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment

 
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APPENDIX A

  losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern European or other countries.
 
  The Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return from an investment in such countries to the Fund.
 
  Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and may involve the Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays may occur in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons.
 
  The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.
 
  The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). The Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Investments in emerging countries may be more difficult to price precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.

 
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  The Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. The Investment Adviser anticipates that a significant portion of the Fund’s currency exposure in emerging countries may not be covered by these techniques.
 
  Risk of Equity Swap Transactions. Equity swaps are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard “swap” transaction, the parties agree to pay or exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be paid or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset.
 
  Equity swaps may be structured in different ways. For example, when the Fund takes a long position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have increased in value had it been invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stock. Therefore, in this case the return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, when the Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock, as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors.
 
  Under an equity swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of the equity swap or periodically during its term. Sometimes, however, the Investment Adviser may be able to terminate a swap contract prior to its term, subject to any potential termination fee that is in addition to the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap. Equity swaps will be made in the over-the-counter market and will be entered into with a counterparty that typically will be an investment banking firm, broker-dealer or bank.
 
  Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values of assets or economic factors, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, interest rate caps, floors and collars, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates, or currency prices or credit events. The Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO are considered “investment grade.” Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, the security is determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality. A security satisfies a Fund’s minimum rating requirement regardless of its relative ranking (for example, plus or minus) within a designated major rating category (for example, BBB or Baa). If a security satisfies the Fund’s minimum rating requirement at the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below that rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of the security. If a downgrade occurs, the Investment Adviser will consider what action, including the sale of the security, is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
 
  The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities rated BB or Ba or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
 
  In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
 
  Risks of Initial Public Offerings. The Fund may invest in IPOs. An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the

 
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APPENDIX A

  price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Fund may realize taxable gains it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders.
 
  Temporary Investment Risks. The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances
  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When the Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks.
 
  The Fund may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which the Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk

 
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  characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.
 
  Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Fund’s performance benchmark. The Fund may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative practice.
 
  The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. The Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are

 
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APPENDIX A

  not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. The Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. The Fund may also,

 
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  to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.
 
  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on particular securities, foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges.
 
  The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Fund.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by the Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
  n   Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e.  the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. The Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.

 
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  An equity swap may be used by the Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.

 
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APPENDIX A

  The Fund, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by the Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of the Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.
 
  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.

 
69


 

  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Fund may, consistent with its investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .
 
  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iShares are listed on an exchange and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange.

 
70


 

APPENDIX A

  However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, the Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. The Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. The Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
 
  U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and

 
71


 

  credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. The Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes the Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or non-governmental entity. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are normally structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” However, these mortgage-backed securities typically do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
 
  Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments. CMOs provide an investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool of

 
72


 

APPENDIX A

  underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in multiple classes each with a specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution rate. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full.
 
  Sometimes, however, CMO classes are “parallel pay,” i.e. , payments of principal are made to two or more classes concurrently. In some cases, CMOs may have the characteristics of a stripped mortgage-backed security whose price can be highly volatile. CMOs may exhibit more or less price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-related obligations, and under certain interest rate and payment scenarios, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in certain of these securities regardless of their credit quality.
 
  Mortgaged-backed securities also include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. The market value of SMBS consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on SMBS that receive all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.
 
  Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to

 
73


 

  possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.
 
  Borrowings. The Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
74


 

 
  Appendix B
Predecessor Fund
Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Fund is based on the financial history of the Class A, B and C Shares of the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The information for the Predecessor Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements are included in their annual report and is available upon request.
 
75


 

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 15.24     $ 12.86     $ 13.39     $ 10.30     $ 12.82     $ 18.35  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    (0.01 )     0.04       0.01       0.01       0.04       (0.07 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    3.77       2.36       (0.54 )     3.04       (2.58 )     (5.49 )
   
Total from investment operations
    3.76       2.40       (0.53 )     3.05       (2.54 )     (5.56 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net investment income
    (0.07 )     (0.02 )                        
Distributions from realized gains
                                   
   
Total dividends and distributions
    (0.07 )     (0.02 )                        
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #     0.04       0.02       0.03  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 18.93     $ 15.24     $ 12.86     $ 13.39     $ 10.30     $ 12.82  
   
Total return b,†
    24.79 %     18.59 %     (3.96 )%     30.00 %     (19.66 )%     (30.14 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 87,839     $ 35,599     $ 32,757     $ 30,444     $ 23,226     $ 34,589  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.96 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.75 % d     1.74 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.85 % d     2.19 %     1.88 %     1.95 %     2.10 %     1.96 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.15 )%     0.14 %     0.05 %     0.06 %     0.35 %     (0.50 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.04 )%     0.25 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.15 )%     (0.20 )%     0.02 %     (0.04 )%     0.10 %     (0.50 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    74 %     136 %     115 %     56 %     182 %     99 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $     $ 0.05         *       *       *       *

See page 78 for all footnotes.

 
76


 

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class B 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 14.40     $ 12.23     $ 12.78     $ 9.89     $ 12.40     $ 17.89  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.10 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )     (0.02 )     (0.16 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    3.58       2.23       (0.50 )     2.87       (2.49 )     (5.33 )
   
Total from investment operations
    3.48       2.19       (0.55 )     2.82       (2.51 )     (5.49 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net investment income
          (0.02 )                        
Distributions from realized gains
                                   
   
Total dividends and distributions
          (0.02 )                        
   
Redemption fees
    #     #           0.07              
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 17.88     $ 14.40     $ 12.23     $ 12.78     $ 9.89     $ 12.40  
   
Total return b,†
    24.17 %     17.91 %     (4.30 )%     29.22 %     (20.24 )%     (30.69 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 27,959     $ 19,327     $ 18,181     $ 21,726     $ 16,905     $ 21,738  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.53 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.30 % d     2.29 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.40 % d     2.74 %     2.43 % d     2.50 %     2.65 %     2.53 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.70 )%     (0.41 )%     (0.45 )%     (0.49 )%     (0.21 )%     (1.13 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.56 )%     (0.30 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.72 )%     (0.75 )%     (0.48 )%     (0.59 )%     (0.46 )%     (1.13 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    74 %     136 %     115 %     56 %     182 %     99 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $     $ 0.05         *       *       *       *

See page 78 for all footnotes.

 
77


 

                                                   
Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class C 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 14.50     $ 12.31     $ 12.88     $ 9.97     $ 12.50     $ 18.04  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment loss
    (0.10 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )     (0.02 )     (0.15 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    3.59       2.25       (0.52 )     2.89       (2.52 )     (5.39 )
   
Total from investment operations
    3.49       2.21       (0.57 )     2.84       (2.54 )     (5.54 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net investment income
          (0.02 )                        
Distributions from realized gains
                                   
   
Total dividends and distributions
          (0.02 )                        
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #     0.07       0.01        
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 17.99     $ 14.50     $ 12.31     $ 12.88     $ 9.97     $ 12.50  
   
Total return b,†
    24.07 %     17.96 %     (4.43 )%     29.19 %     (20.24 )%     (30.71 )%
Ratios/ Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 37,889     $ 10,091     $ 8,796     $ 8,718     $ 6,375     $ 8,512  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     2.52 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.30 %     2.29 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    2.40 % d     2.74 %     2.43 % d     2.50 %     2.65 %     2.52 %
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.68 )%     (0.41 )%     (0.45 )% d     (0.51 )%     (0.19 )%     (1.12 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.58 )%     (0.30 )%     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.68 )%     (0.75 )%     (0.48 )%     (0.61 )%     (0.44 )%     (1.12 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    74 %     136 %     115 %     56 %     182 %     99 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $     $ 0.05         *       *       *       *

     
*
  Prior to the year ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
#
  Per share amount is less than $0.005.
  The total returns for Class A, Class B and Class C do not include sales charges.
a
  Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
b
  Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
c
  Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
d
  Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
e
  Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
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  Index
         
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    2 Fund Investment Objectives and Strategies
    2   Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund
 
    4 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    6 Principal Risks of the Fund
 
    9 Fund Performance
 
    10 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
    13 Service Providers
 
    20 Dividends
 
    21 Shareholder Guide
    21   How To Buy Shares
    34   How To Sell Shares
 
    50 Taxation
 
    53 Appendix A
     Additional Information on
     Portfolio Risks, Securities
     and Techniques
 
    75 Appendix B
     Predecessor Fund
     Financial Highlights


 

 
  Strategic International Equity Fund
Prospectus
(Class A, B and C Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund had not commenced operations. The annual report for the fiscal period ending August 31, 2007 will become available to shareholders in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Fund’s annual and semi-annual report (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-526-7384. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Fund’s website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-526-7384
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds,
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database: http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

Prospectus
  Institutional
Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”) serves as investment adviser to the Strategic International Equity Fund. GSAMI is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STYLE FUND   

  GSAMI’s Active International Investment Philosophy:

     
    Belief How the Investment Adviser Acts on Belief

n  Equity markets are inefficient
  Seeks excess return through team driven, research intensive and bottom-up stock selection.
 
n  Corporate fundamentals
 ultimately drive share price
  Seeks to conduct rigorous, first-hand research of business and company management.
 
n  A business’ intrinsic value
 will be achieved over time
  Seeks to realize value through a long-term investment horizon.

  The Investment Adviser attempts to manage risk in the Fund through disciplined portfolio construction and continual portfolio review and analysis. As a result, bottom-up stock selection, driven by fundamental research, should be a main driver of returns.
 
  Investments are selected through a rigorous bottom-up research process. Particular emphasis is placed on investing in companies that demonstrate long-term earnings power, which the Investment Adviser defines as the ability of a company to generate strong, sustainable earnings and to create value for shareholders over the long term. Rigorous, formal and informal debate enhances the quality of the Investment Adviser’s final investment decisions regarding these companies.


  References in this Prospectus to the Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how the Fund is managed.

 
1


 

 
  Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Strategic International Equity Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  MSCI ® EAFE ® Index (unhedged)
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in companies organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States
Investment Style:
  Active International
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective by investing in the stocks of leading companies within developed and emerging countries around the world, outside the U.S.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States. The Fund intends to invest in companies with public stock market capitalizations that are larger than $500 million at the time of investment.
 
  The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries.
 
  The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in the developed countries of Western Europe and in Japan. From time to time, the Fund’s investments in a particular developed country may exceed 25% of its investment portfolio. In addition, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging

 
To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
2


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

  countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.
 
  Other.  The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

 
3


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. The Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Fund publishes on its website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which the Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

     
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) ( italic type ) Strategic
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type) International
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; Equity
      limited only by the objectives and strategies of the Fund Fund

Investment Practices
Borrowings
  33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
 
Currency Swaps *
 
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
 
Equity Swaps *
 
Foreign Currency Transactions
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)
  10
Options on Foreign Currencies 1
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 2
 
Unseasoned Companies
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Securities Lending
  33 1/3
Short Sales Against the Box
  25
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
 

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options.
2
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
4


 

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
     
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending
      collateral) ( italic type )
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment
      purposes) (roman type) Strategic
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; International
      limited only by the objectives and strategies Equity
      of the Fund Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary Receipts
 
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 2
 
 
Bank Obligations 1,2
 
 
Convertible Securities
 
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2
 
 
Equity Investments
   80+
 
Emerging Country Securities
 
 
Fixed-Income Securities 3
  20
 
Foreign Securities
 
 
Foreign Government Securities 2
 
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities 2,4
 
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts
 
 
Structured Securities *
 
 
Temporary Investments
  35 
 
U.S. Government Securities 2
 

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
Issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
3
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities,” fixed-income securities are investment grade (e.g., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
4
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s, Ba or lower by Moody’s or have a comparable rating by another NRSRO at the time of investment.
 
5


 

 
Principal Risks of the Fund

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

     
Strategic
International
•    Applicable Equity

Credit/Default
 
 
Foreign
 
 
Emerging Countries
 
 
Stock
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
Interest Rate
 
 
Management
 
 
Market
 
 
Liquidity
 
 
Investment Style
 
 
Geographic
 
 
Mid Cap and Small Cap
 

n   Credit/Default Risk —The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. The Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when the Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.
n   Emerging Countries Risk —The securities markets of Asian, Latin, Central and South American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements
 
6


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND

as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in certain emerging countries involves risk of loss resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investment in more developed countries.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from the Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. The Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. The Fund will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Fund and other funds for which Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in the Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. The Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different

 
7


 

investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Geographic Risk —Concentration of the investments in issuers located in a particular country or region will subject the Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory or economic events which may occur in that country or region.
n   Mid Cap and Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Both mid-cap and small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
8


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED   

  The Fund has not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of the Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization the Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAMI.
 
9


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Institutional Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of the Fund.

         
Strategic
International
Equity Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
       
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    None  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None  
Redemption Fees 1
    2.0%  
Exchange Fees
    None  
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 2
       
Management Fees 3
    0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    None  
Other Expenses 4 *
    0.40%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses*
    1.25%  

See page 11 for all other footnotes.

  The “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  

         
Strategic
International
Equity Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 2
       
Management Fees 3
    0.85%  
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
    None  
Other Expenses 4
    0.20%  

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after current waivers and expense limitations)
    1.05%  

 
10


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

1
A 2% redemption fee will be imposed on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less.
2
The Fund’s annual operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
3
The Investment Adviser is entitled to a management fee from the Fund at an annual rate equal to the following percentages of the average daily net assets of the Fund: 0.85% on the first $1 billion, 0.77% on the next $1 billion, and 0.73% over $2 billion.
 
4
“Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Institutional Shares plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, dividend expenses on short sales, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to 0.16% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.

 
11


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Institutional Shares of 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:

                                 
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Strategic International Equity Fund
  $ 127     $ 397     $ 686     $ 1,511  

Institutions that invest in Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your institution for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.

Certain institutions that invest in Institutional Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Institutional Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Fund. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
12


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”)
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, England EC1A 7HD
  Strategic International Equity

  GSAMI, a member of the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited since 1990 and a registered investment adviser since 1991, is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAMI had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Fund, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of the Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

 
13


 

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) listed below:

             
Management
Fee Average Daily
GSAMI: Annual Rate Net Assets

Strategic International Equity
    0.85 %   First $1 Billion
      0.77     Next $1 Billion
      0.73     Over $2 Billion

  The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s annual report dated August 31, 2007.

 
14


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

   FUND MANAGERS   

  Active International Portfolio Management Team
  n   Global portfolio teams based in London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. Local presence is a key to the Investment Adviser’s fundamental research capabilities
  n   Team manages over $17 billion in international equities for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
  n   Focus on bottom-up stock selection as main driver of returns, though the team leverages the asset allocation, currency and risk management capabilities of GSAMI

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Mark Beveridge, CFA
Managing Director,
Chief Investment Officer, Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Beveridge joined the Investment Adviser in December 2004 as Chief Investment Officer of the Non-US Active Equity business which encompasses the Global/International, UK/European, Asia ex Japan and Japan strategies. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser, he spent 19 years at Franklin Templeton, where he was Executive Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for ex-US portfolios.

William Howard, CFA
Managing Director
Director of Research,
Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Howard joined the Investment Adviser in January 2005 as a portfolio manager. He is also Director of Research for Non-US Active Equity. From 1993 to 2004 he was a Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton responsible for ex-US portfolios.

Michael Stanes
Executive Director
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Stanes joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in November 2002. From 1986 to 2001, he worked at Mercury Asset Management, where he managed UK equity portfolios in London, Japanese equity portfolios in Tokyo and US and global portfolios in the US.

  Mark Beveridge serves as Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of GSAM’s Non-US Active Equity team and CIO of GSAMI’s Global/EAFE strategies. As CIO, Mr. Beveridge is ultimately responsible for the composition of a Fund’s structure at both the stock and industry level. Along with the other portfolio managers on the
 
15


 

  team, Mr. Beveridge has specific industry research responsibilities. Each portfolio manager is responsible for liaising with research analysts around the world, promoting his or her stock selection ideas to the other members of the team and after debating their inclusion in the portfolio.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund or limit the Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Fund directly and indirectly invests. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any

 
16


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, and it is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, the Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Fund. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Fund. The Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Fund, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to, distributors, consultants and others who recommend the Fund as when acquisitions with or for the Fund. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund has retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Fund to the extent that the Fund engages in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Fund, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Fund’s investment of the cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investment transactions.

 
17


 

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation, and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, GSAMI, Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”) the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of-fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained fees and charges; and

 
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SERVICE PROVIDERS

  reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
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  Dividends
 
  The Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through these taxes to you. If this election is made, a proportionate amount of such taxes will constitute a distribution to you, which would allow you either (i) to credit such proportionate amount of foreign taxes against your U.S. federal income tax liability or (ii) to take such amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  Dividends from investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid annually by the Fund.
 
  From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of the Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
20


 

 
  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Institutional Shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES   

  How Can I Purchase Institutional Shares Of The Fund?
  You may purchase Institutional Shares on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order. No sales load is charged. You should either:
  n   Place an order with Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550 and wire federal funds to The Northern Trust Company (“Northern”), as subcustodian for JPMorganChase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorganChase”) (the Fund’s custodian), on the next business day; or
  n   Send a check or Federal Reserve draft payable to Goldman Sachs Funds—(Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Fund will not accept a check drawn on foreign banks, third-party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations, involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.

  In order to make an initial investment in the Fund, you must furnish to the Fund or Goldman Sachs the Account Application. Purchases of Institutional Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
  How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?
  Certain institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and may designate other intermediaries to accept such orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
  n   The Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized institution or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share (less any applicable redemption fee) next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Authorized institutions and intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed upon by them.

 
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  You should contact your institution or intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust. These institutions may receive payments from the Fund or Goldman Sachs for the services provided by them with respect to the Fund’s Institutional Shares. These payments may be in addition to other payments borne by the Fund.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Fund. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative, and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.
 
  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your authorized dealer or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.
 
  In addition to Institutional Shares, the Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services than Institutional Shares. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?

     
Type of Investor Minimum Investment

n  Banks, trust companies or other depository
    institutions investing for their own account
    or on behalf of their clients
  $1,000,000 in Institutional Shares of the Fund alone or in combination with other assets under the management of GSAM and its affiliates
n  Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase
    pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit
    pension, or other employee benefit plans that are
    sponsored by one or more employers (including
    governmental or church employers) or
    employee organizations
   
n  State, county, city or any instrumentality,
    department, authority or agency thereof
   
n  Corporations with at least $100 million in assets or
    in outstanding publicly traded securities
   
n  “Wrap” account sponsors (provided they have an
    agreement covering the arrangement with GSAM)
   
n  Registered investment advisers investing for
    accounts for which they receive asset-based
    fees
   
n  Qualified non-profit organizations, charitable
    trusts, foundations and endowments
   

n  Individual investors   $10,000,000
n  Accounts over which GSAM or its advisory
    affiliates have investment discretion
   

n  Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
    for which GSAM or its advisory
    affiliates act as fiduciary
  No minimum

  The minimum investment requirement may be waived for current and former officers, partners, directors or employees of Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates; brokerage or advisory clients of Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management and accounts for which Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A., or the Goldman Sachs Trust Company of Delaware acts in a fiduciary capacity (i.e., as agent or trustee);
 
23


 

  certain mutual fund “wrap” programs; and for other investors at the discretion of the Trust’s officers. No minimum amount is required for subsequent investments.
 
  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Modify or waive the minimum investment amounts.
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of Institutional Shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.
  n   Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.

  Generally, the Fund will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Fund.
 
  The Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for each investor who opens an account with the Fund. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Fund. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Fund reserves the right to (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.
 
  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy Institutional Shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class. The price you receive when you sell or exchange

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Institutional Shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge (e.g., redemption fees). The Fund calculates NAV as follows:
     

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Fund’s investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  For Funds that invest a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Fund, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.
 
  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 
25


 

  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).

  n   NAV per share of each class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form. Redemption proceeds are reduced by any applicable redemption fee.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than the Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open the Fund for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether the Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-621-2550.
 
  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the Fund is closed. As a result, the NAV of a Fund that holds foreign securities may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 

   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Institutional Shares Of The Fund?
  You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling (redeeming) some or all of your shares. Generally, the Fund will redeem its Institutional Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form, subject to any applicable redemption fee. You may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record). Redemptions may be requested in writing or by telephone.

     
Instructions For Redemptions:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Account number
         n  The Fund name and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount you want to sell
         n  How and where to send the proceeds
    n  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required (see details
    below)
    n  Mail your request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone redemption privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
 
  Certain institutions and intermediaries are authorized to accept redemption requests on behalf of the Fund as described under “How Do I Purchase Shares Through A Financial Institution?”
 
  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change your current bank designations.

 
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  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated on the Account Application must be in writing and signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application with a Medallion signature guarantee. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will generally be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Application (see immediately preceding bullet point). For direct accounts to receive the redemption by check during this time period, a redemption request must be in the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required).
  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire: You may arrange for your redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in your Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds (for a total of one business day delay), but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
  n   If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions (with your Medallion signature guarantee) to the Transfer Agent.
  n   Neither the Trust, Goldman Sachs nor any other institution assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or any intermediaries in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with your bank or any such intermediaries.

  By Check: You may elect in writing to receive your redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay you when your check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About The Redemption Fee?
  The Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less. For this purpose, the Fund uses a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee will be paid to the Fund from which the redemption is made, and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the Fund. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption transaction, through a separate billing.
 
  The redemption fee does not apply to transactions involving the following:
  n   Redemptions of shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
  n   Redemptions of shares that are acquired or redeemed in connection with the participation in a systematic withdrawal program or automatic investment plan.

 
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  n   Redemptions of shares by other Goldman Sachs Funds (e.g., Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios).
  n   Redemptions of shares held through discretionary wrap programs or models programs that utilize a regularly scheduled automatic rebalancing of assets and that have provided GSAM with certain representations regarding certain operating policies and standards.
  n   Redemptions of shares involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges from retirement plans and accounts maintained pursuant to Section 401 (tax-qualified pension, profit sharing, 401(k), money purchase and stock bonus plans), 403 (qualified annuity plans and tax-sheltered annuities) and 457 (deferred compensation plans for employees of tax-exempt entities or governments) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Redemptions involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges would include, for example: loans; required minimum distributions; rollovers; forfeiture; redemptions of shares to pay fees; plan level redemptions or exchanges; redemptions pursuant to systematic withdrawal programs; return of excess contribution amounts; hardship withdrawals; redemptions related to death, disability or qualified domestic relations order; and certain other transactions.
  n   Redemptions of shares from accounts of financial institutions in connection with hedging services provided in support of nonqualified deferred compensation plans offering the Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Redemption of shares where the Fund is made available as an underlying investment in certain group annuity contracts.
  n   Redemption of shares that are issued as part of an investment company reorganization to which a Goldman Sachs Fund is a party.
  n   Redemptions of shares representing “seed capital” investments by Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

  The Trust reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fee or waivers at any time and will give 60 days’ prior written notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law. The redemption fee policy may be modified or amended in the future.
 
  In addition to the circumstances noted above, the Trust reserves the right to grant additional exceptions based on such factors as system limitations, operational limitations, contractual limitations and further guidance from the SEC or other regulators.
 
  If your shares are held through a financial intermediary in an omnibus or other group account, the Trust relies on the financial intermediary to assess the redemption fee on underlying shareholder accounts. The application of redemption fees and exceptions may vary and certain intermediaries may not apply the exceptions listed above. If you invest through a financial intermediary, please

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  contact your intermediary for more information regarding when redemption fees will be applied to the redemption of your shares.
 
  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Institutions (including banks, trust companies, brokers and investment advisers) are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. These institutions may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares in the event an Institution’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated and you do not transfer your account to another Institution with a relationship with Goldman Sachs. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from a redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
  You may exchange Institutional Shares of the Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Redemption of shares (including by exchange) that are held for 30 calendar days or less (60 calendar days or less with respect to the Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) may, however, be subject to a redemption fee as described above under “What Do I Need To

 
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  Know About The Redemption Fee?” The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice to you.

     
Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  Name(s) and signature(s)
         n  Account number
         n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount to be exchanged
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. Exchanges into a money market fund need not meet the traditional minimum initial investment requirement for that fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.
  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
  n   Goldman Sachs may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
  n   Exchanges into the Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.
 
  What Types of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding Investments In Institutional Shares?
  You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each transaction in your account and a monthly statement. If your account is held in a “street name” you may receive your statements and confirmations on a different schedule.
 
  You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting Goldman Sachs Funds by phone at 1-800-621-2550 or by mail at Goldman Sachs Funds, P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Fund will begin sending individual copies to you within 30 days after receipt of your revocation.
 
  In addition, institutions and other financial intermediaries will be responsible for providing any communications from the Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding the sources of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 of the Investment Company Act.

   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they
 
33


 

  can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the Fund, certain other International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days of purchase with respect to Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. See “Shareholder Guide—How to Sell Shares—What Do I Need to Know About the Redemption Fee?” for more information about the redemption fee, including transactions and certain omnibus accounts to which the redemption fee does not apply. As a further deterrent to excessive trading, many foreign equity securities held by the Fund are priced by an independent pricing service using fair valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see “Shareholder Guide—How to Buy Shares—How are Shares Priced?”
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs may reject or restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Fund’s market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, the Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Fund.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Fund from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholder must own Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend rate.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. It is not anticipated that any significant percentage of the Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders will be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. The Fund may make an election to treat a proportionate amount of those taxes as constituting a distribution to each shareholder, which would allow you either (i) to credit that proportionate amount of taxes against U.S. Federal income tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (ii) to take that amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  If you buy shares of the Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 
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   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Fund does not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that the Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Fund may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage-related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and the Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to

 
39


 

  investors. The same would be true of asset-backed securities such as securities backed by car loans.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Fund Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Fund’s historical portfolio turnover rates.
 
  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization and Mid-Capitalization Companies. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small and mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the
 
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APPENDIX A

  Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small and mid-capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Fund may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency ( i.e. , weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which the Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.
 
  Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There

 
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  may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Concentration of the Fund’s assets in one or a few countries and currencies will subject the Fund to greater risks than if a Fund’s assets were not geographically concentrated.
 
  Investment in sovereign debt obligations by the Fund involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and the Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn the Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.
 
  A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Euro. On January 1, 1999, the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) introduced a new single currency called the euro. The euro has replaced the national currencies of the following member countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. In addition, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovakia became members of the EMU on May 1, 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania became members of the EMU on January 1, 2007, but these countries will not adopt the euro as their new currency until they can show that their economies have converged with the economies of the euro zone.
 
  The European Central Bank has control over each country’s monetary policies. Therefore, the member countries no longer control their own monetary policies by directing independent interest rates for their currencies. The national governments of the participating countries, however, have retained the authority to set tax and spending policies and public debt levels.
 
  The change to the euro as a single currency is relatively new and untested. The elimination of currency risk among EMU countries has affected the economic environment and behavior of investors, particularly in European markets, but the long-term impact of those changes on currency values or on the business or financial condition of European countries and issuers cannot be fully assessed at this time. In addition, the introduction of the euro presents other unique uncertainties, including the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies; whether the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of European countries participating in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the currencies of other countries that now are or may in the future become members of the European Union (“EU”) will have an impact on the euro. Also, it is possible that the euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use. In May and June 2005, voters in France and the Netherlands rejected ratification of the EU Constitution causing some other countries to postpone moves toward ratification. These or other events, including political and economic developments, could cause market disruptions, and could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. Because of the number of countries using this single currency, a significant portion of the assets held by the Fund may be denominated in the euro.
 
  Risks of Emerging Countries. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in the Asia and Pacific regions, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging

 
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  countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.
 
  Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by the Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. In situations where a country restricts direct investment in securities (which may occur in certain Asian and other countries), the Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.
 
  Many emerging countries have experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
 
  Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment

 
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APPENDIX A

  losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern European or other countries.
 
  The Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return from an investment in such countries to the Fund.
 
  Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and may involve the Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays may occur in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons.
 
  The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.
 
  The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). The Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Investments in emerging countries may be more difficult to price precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.

 
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  The Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. The Investment Adviser anticipates that a significant portion of the Fund’s currency exposure in emerging countries may not be covered by these techniques.
 
  Risk of Equity Swap Transactions. Equity swaps are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard “swap” transaction, the parties agree to pay or exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be paid or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset.
 
  Equity swaps may be structured in different ways. For example, when the Fund takes a long position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have increased in value had it been invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stock. Therefore, in this case the return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, when the Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock, as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors.
 
  Under an equity swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of the equity swap or periodically during its term. Sometimes, however, the Investment Adviser may be able to terminate a swap contract prior to its term, subject to any potential termination fee that is in addition to the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap. Equity swaps will be made in the over-the-counter market and will be entered into with a counterparty that typically will be an investment banking firm, broker-dealer or bank.
 
  Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values of assets or economic factors, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, interest rate caps, floors and collars, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates, currency prices or credit events. The Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO are considered “investment grade.” Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, the security is determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality. A security satisfies a Fund’s minimum rating requirement regardless of its relative ranking (for example, plus or minus) within a designated major rating category (for example, BBB or Baa). If a security satisfies the Fund’s minimum rating requirement at the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below that rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of the security. If a downgrade occurs, the Investment Adviser will consider what action, including the sale of the security, is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
 
  The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities rated BB or Ba or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
 
  In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Initial Public Offerings. The Fund may invest in IPOs. An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Fund may realize taxable gains it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders.
 
  Temporary Investment Risks. The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances
  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When the Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

 
49


 

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks.
 
  The Fund may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which the Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.
 
  Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Fund’s performance benchmark. The Fund may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative practice.
 
  The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. The Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser,

 
50


 

APPENDIX A

  it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. The Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks

 
51


 

  generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. The Fund may also, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.
 
  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on particular securities, foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges.

 
52


 

APPENDIX A

  The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Fund.
 
  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by the Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
  n   Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e.  the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by

 
53


 

  the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. The Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.
 
  An equity swap may be used by the Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers

 
54


 

APPENDIX A

  and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.
 
  The Fund, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by the Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of the Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.

 
55


 

  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.
 
  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Fund may, consistent with its investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash
 
56


 

APPENDIX A

  flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .
 
  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iShares are listed on an exchange and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange. However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, the Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. The Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. The Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and

 
57


 

  cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
 
  U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. The Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes the Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or non-governmental entity. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are normally structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” However, these

 
58


 

APPENDIX A

  mortgage-backed securities typically do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
 
  Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments. CMOs provide an investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in multiple classes each with a specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution rate. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full.
 
  Sometimes, however, CMO classes are “parallel pay,” i.e. , payments of principal are made to two or more classes concurrently. In some cases, CMOs may have the characteristics of a stripped mortgage-backed security whose price can be highly volatile. CMOs may exhibit more or less price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-related obligations, and under certain interest rate and payment scenarios, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in certain of these securities regardless of their credit quality.
 
  Mortgaged-backed securities also include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. The market value of SMBS consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on SMBS that receive all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.
 
  Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Fund’s ability to

 
59


 

  maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.
 
  Borrowings. The Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
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  Appendix B
Predecessor Fund
Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Fund is based on the financial history of the Class Y Shares of the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The information for the Predecessor Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements are included in their annual report and is available upon request.
 
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Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class Y 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 15.56     $ 13.08     $ 13.56     $ 10.39     $ 12.90     $ 18.41  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    0.09       0.10       0.06       0.06       0.09       (0.02 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    3.83       2.40       (0.54 )     3.04       (2.61 )     (5.49 )
   
Total from investment operations
    3.92       2.50       (0.48 )     3.10       (2.52 )     (5.51 )
   
Less distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net investment income
    (0.14 )     (0.02 )                        
Distributions from realized gains
                                   
   
Total dividends and distributions
    (0.14 )     (0.02 )                        
   
Redemption fees
    #           #     0.07       0.01        
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 19.34     $ 15.56     $ 13.08     $ 13.56     $ 10.39     $ 12.90  
   
Total return b
    25.35 %     19.12 %     (3.54 )%     30.51 %     (19.46 )%     (29.93 )%
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 34,332     $ 5,937     $ 15,199     $ 15,097     $ 10,616     $ 13,797  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.40 %     1.40 %     1.40 %     1.40 %     1.40 %     1.53 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.30 % d     1.29 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.40 % d     1.74 %     1.43 % d     1.50 %     1.65 %     1.53 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    0.39 %     0.59 %     0.55 % d     0.50 %     0.80 %     (0.12 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    0.48 %     0.70 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    0.39 %     0.25 %     0.52 %     0.40 %     0.55 %     (0.12 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    74 %     136 %     115 %     56 %     182 %     99 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment income
  $     $ 0.05         *       *       *       *

 
*
Prior to the year ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
#
Per share amount is less than $0.005.
a
Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
b
Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
c
Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
d
Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
e
Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
62


 

 
  Index
         
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    2 Fund Investment Objective and Strategies
        2 Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund
 
    4 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    6 Principal Risks of the Fund
 
    9 Fund Performance
 
    10 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
    13 Service Providers
 
    20 Dividends
 
    21 Shareholder Guide
        21 How To Buy Shares
        27 How To Sell Shares
 
    36 Taxation
 
    39 Appendix A
     Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Securities and
     Techniques
 
    61 Appendix B
     Predecessor Fund Financial Highlights


 

 
  Strategic International Equity Fund
Prospectus
(Institutional Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund had not commenced operations. The annual report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 will become available to shareholders in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Fund’s website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds,
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

Prospectus
  Service
Shares
 
  January 19, 2007

 GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
     
(GRAPHIC)
  n  Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund

 
  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 
  AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN A FUND.
 
(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

         

NOT FDIC-INSURED   May Lose Value   No Bank Guarantee


 

 
  General Investment
Management Approach
 
  Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”) serves as investment adviser to the Strategic International Equity Fund. GSAMI is referred to in this Prospectus as the “Investment Adviser.”

   ACTIVE INTERNATIONAL STYLE FUND   

  GSAMI’s Active International Investment Philosophy:

     
    Belief How the Investment Adviser Acts on Belief

n  Equity markets are inefficient
  Seeks excess return through team driven, research intensive and bottom-up stock selection.
 
n  Corporate fundamentals
 ultimately drive share price
  Seeks to conduct rigorous, first-hand research of business and company management.
 
n  A business’ intrinsic value
 will be achieved over time
  Seeks to realize value through a long-term investment horizon.

  The Investment Adviser attempts to manage risk in the Fund through disciplined portfolio construction and continual portfolio review and analysis. As a result, bottom-up stock selection, driven by fundamental research, should be a main driver of returns.
 
  Investments are selected through a rigorous bottom-up research process. Particular emphasis is placed on investing in companies that demonstrate long-term earnings power, which the Investment Adviser defines as the ability of a company to generate strong, sustainable earnings and to create value for shareholders over the long term. Rigorous, formal and informal debate enhances the quality of the Investment Adviser’s final investment decisions regarding these companies.


  References in this Prospectus to the Fund’s benchmark are for informational purposes only, and unless otherwise noted are not an indication of how the Fund is managed.

 
1


 

 
  Fund Investment Objective
and Strategies
 
  Goldman Sachs
Strategic International Equity Fund
     
FUND FACTS

Objective:
  Long-term growth of capital
Benchmark:
  MSCI ® EAFE ® Index (unhedged)
Investment Focus:
  Equity investments in companies organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States
Investment Style:
  Active International
 

   INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   

  The Fund seeks long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks this objective by investing in the stocks of leading companies within developed and emerging countries around the world, outside the U.S.

   PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES   

  Equity Investments.  The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at time of purchase) (“Net Assets”) in a diversified portfolio of equity investments in companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States. The Fund intends to invest in companies with public stock market capitalizations that are larger than $500 million at the time of investment.
 
  The Fund may allocate its assets among countries as determined by the Investment Adviser provided that the Fund’s assets are invested in at least three foreign countries.
 
  The Fund expects to invest a substantial portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in the developed countries of Western Europe and in Japan. From time to time, the Fund’s investments in a particular developed country may exceed 25% of its investment portfolio. In addition, the Fund may also invest in the securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and in emerging

 
      *  To the extent required by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in the Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its Net Assets in the particular type of investment suggested by its name.
 
2


 

FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

  countries. Currently, emerging countries include, among others, most Latin and South American, African, Asian and Eastern European nations.
 
  Other.  The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its Net Assets in fixed-income securities, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.

 
3


 

 
Other Investment Practices
and Securities

The table below identifies some of the investment techniques that may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Numbers in this table show allowable usage only; for actual usage, consult the Fund’s annual/semi-annual reports (when available). For more information about these and other investment practices and securities, see Appendix A. The Fund publishes on its website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Fund publishes on its website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar-day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. This information will be available on the website until the date on which the Fund files its next quarterly portfolio holdings report on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“Additional Statement”).

     
10  Percent of total assets (including securities lending collateral) ( italic type )
10 Percent of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes) (roman type) Strategic
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; International
      limited only by the objectives and strategies Equity
      of the Fund Fund

Investment Practices
Borrowings
  33 1/3
Cross Hedging of Currencies
 
Currency Swaps *
 
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
 
Equity Swaps *
 
Foreign Currency Transactions
 
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
 
Investment Company Securities (including exchange-traded funds)
  10
Options on Foreign Currencies 1
 
Options on Securities and Securities Indices 2
 
Unseasoned Companies
 
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Securities Lending
  33 1/3
Short Sales Against the Box
  25
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
 

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
The Fund may purchase and sell call and put options.
2
The Fund may sell covered call and put options and purchase call and put options.
 
4


 

OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
         
10  Percent of Total Assets (excluding securities lending
      collateral) ( italic type )
10 Percent of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment
      purposes) (roman type) Strategic
•     No specific percentage limitation on usage; International
      limited only by the objectives and strategies Equity
      of the Fund Fund

Investment Securities
 
American, European and Global Depositary Receipts
     
 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities 2
     
 
Bank Obligations 1,2
     
 
Convertible Securities
     
 
Corporate Debt Obligations 2
     
 
Equity Investments
     80+  
 
Emerging Country Securities
     
 
Fixed-Income Securities 3
    20  
 
Foreign Securities
     
 
Foreign Government Securities 2
     
 
Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities 2,4
     
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts
     
 
Structured Securities *
     
 
Temporary Investments
    35   
 
U.S. Government Securities 2
     

 
*
Limited to 15% of net assets (together with other illiquid securities) for all structured securities and all swap transactions that are not deemed liquid.
1
Issued by U.S. or foreign banks.
2
Limited by the amount the Fund invests in fixed-income securities.
3
Except as noted under “Non-Investment Grade Fixed-Income Securities,” fixed-income securities are investment grade (e.g., BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or have a comparable rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”)).
4
May be BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s, Ba or lower by Moody’s or have a comparable rating by another NRSRO at the time of investment.
 
5


 

 
Principal Risks of the Fund

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. The following summarizes important risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

     
Strategic
International
•    Applicable Equity

Credit/Default
 
 
Foreign
 
 
Emerging Countries
 
 
Stock
 
 
Derivatives
 
 
Interest Rate
 
 
Management
 
 
Market
 
 
Liquidity
 
 
Investment Style
 
 
Geographic
 
 
Mid Cap and Small Cap
 

n   Credit/Default Risk —The risk that an issuer or guarantor of fixed-income securities held by the Fund may default on its obligation to pay interest and repay principal.
n   Foreign Risk —The risk that when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to risk of loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may result because of less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions. The Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Foreign risks will normally be greatest when the Fund invests in issuers located in emerging countries.
n   Emerging Countries Risk —The securities markets of Asian, Latin, Central and South American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, African and other emerging countries are less liquid, are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller market capitalizations, have less government regulation and are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements
 
6


 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND

as the securities markets of more developed countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers located in certain emerging countries involves risk of loss resulting from problems in share registration and custody and substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are not normally associated with investment in more developed countries.
n   Stock Risk —The risk that stock prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles. Recently, U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
n   Derivatives Risk —The risk that loss may result from the Fund’s investments in options, futures, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund.
n   Interest Rate Risk —The risk that when interest rates increase, fixed-income securities held by the Fund will decline in value. Long-term fixed-income securities will normally have more price volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed-income securities.
n   Management Risk —The risk that a strategy used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended results.
n   Market Risk —The risk that the value of the securities in which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular industry sectors or governments and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or last for extended periods. The Fund’s investments may be overweighted from time to time in one or more industry sectors, which will increase the Fund’s exposure to risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those sectors.
n   Liquidity Risk —The risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the time period stated in this Prospectus because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. The Fund will be especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities within particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. The Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios (the “Asset Allocation Portfolios”) expect to invest a significant percentage of their assets in the Fund and other funds for which Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”) or an affiliate now or in the future acts as investment adviser or underwriter. Redemptions by an Asset Allocation Portfolio of its position in the Fund may further increase liquidity risk and may impact a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).
n   Investment Style Risk —Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. The Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different

 
7


 

investment style. Examples of different investment styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Growth companies are often expected by investors to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately even if earnings showed an absolute increase. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those that are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors.
n   Geographic Risk —Concentration of the investments in issuers located in a particular country or region will subject the Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory or economic events which may occur in that country or region.
n   Mid Cap and Small Cap Risk —The securities of small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. Both mid-cap and small-cap companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.

More information about the Fund’s portfolio securities and investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are important to your investment choice.

 
8


 

 
  Fund Performance

   HOW THE FUND HAS PERFORMED   

  The Fund has not commenced operations before the date of this Prospectus. Therefore, no performance information is provided in this section. The Fund first began operations as the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new portfolio of Goldman Sachs Trust. Performance of the Predecessor Fund is not shown because as part of the reorganization the Predecessor Fund changed its investment adviser to GSAMI.
 
9


 

 
Fund Fees and Expenses (Service Shares)

This table describes the fees and expenses that you would pay if you buy and hold Service Shares of the Fund.

           
Strategic
International
Equity
Fund

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment):
       
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
    None  
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends
    None  
Redemption Fees
    2.0 % 1
Exchange Fees
    None  
 
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):
2
       
Management Fees 3
    0.85%  
Other Expenses
    0.77%  
 
Service Fees 4
    0.25 %
 
Shareholder Administration Fees
    0.25 %
 
All Other Expenses 5 *
    0.40 %

Total Fund Operating Expenses*
    1.75%  

See page 11 for all other footnotes.

  The “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” (after any waivers and expense limitations) set forth below have been restated to reflect the current waivers and expense limitations that are expected for the current fiscal year. The waivers and expense limitations may be modified or terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser. If this occurs, “Other Expenses” and “Total Fund Operating Expenses” may increase without shareholder approval.  

           
Strategic
International
Equity
Fund

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets): 2
       
Management Fees 3
    0.85%  
Other Expenses
    0.70%  
 
Service Fees 4
    0.25 %
 
Shareholder Administration Fees
    0.25 %
 
All Other Expenses 5
    0.20 %

Total Fund Operating Expenses (after
current expense limitations)
    1.55%  

 
10


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

1
A 2% redemption fee will be imposed on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less.
2
The Fund’s operating expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.
3
The Investment Adviser is entitled to a management fee from the Fund at annual rates equal to the following percentages of the average daily net assets of the Fund: 0.85% of the first $1 billion, 0.77% on the next $1 billion and 0.73% over $2 billion.
4
Service Organizations may charge other fees to their customers who are beneficial owners of Service Shares in connection with their customers’ accounts. Such fees may affect the return customers realize with respect to their investments.
5
“All Other Expenses” include transfer agency fees and expenses equal on an annualized basis to 0.04% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Service Shares, plus all other ordinary expenses not detailed above. The Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reduce or limit “All Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, service fees, shareholder administration fees, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) to 0.16% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These expense reductions may be terminated at any time at the option of the Investment Adviser.

 
11


 

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

Example

The following Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in a Fund (without the waivers and expense limitations) with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Service Shares of 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:

                                 
Fund 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years

Strategic International Equity
  $ 178     $ 551     $ 949     $ 2,062  

Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares on behalf of their customers may charge other fees directly to their customer accounts in connection with their investments. You should contact your Service Organization for information regarding such charges. Such fees, if any, may affect the return such customers realize with respect to their investments.

Certain Service Organizations that invest in Service Shares may receive other compensation in connection with the sale and distribution of Service Shares or for services to their customers’ accounts and/or the Fund. For additional information regarding such compensation, see “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Payments to Intermediaries” in the Additional Statement.

 
12


 

 
  Service Providers

   INVESTMENT ADVISER   

     
Investment Adviser Fund

Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”)
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, England EC1A 7HD
  Strategic International Equity

  GSAMI, a member of the Investment Management Regulatory Organization Limited since 1990 and a registered investment adviser since 1991, is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”). As of September 30, 2006, GSAMI had assets under management of $576.4 billion.
 
  The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and sale orders for the Fund’s portfolio transactions in U.S. and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately responsible for the management of the Fund, it is able to draw upon the research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of securities.
 
  The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional services for the Fund:
  n   Supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund
  n   Provides personnel to perform necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the Fund
  n   Arranges for the preparation of all required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and statements of additional information and other reports filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
  n   Maintains the records of the Fund
  n   Provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services

 
13


 

   MANAGEMENT FEES   

  As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) listed below:

             
Management
Fee Average Daily
GSAMI: Annual Rate Net Assets

Strategic International Equity
    0.85 %   First $1 Billion
      0.77     Next $1 Billion
      0.73     Over $2 Billion

  The Investment Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its advisory fee from time to time, and may discontinue or modify any such voluntary limitations in the future at its discretion.
 
  A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s annual report dated August 31, 2007.

 
14


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

   FUND MANAGERS   

  Active International Portfolio Management Team
  n   Global portfolio teams based in London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. Local presence is a key to the Investment Adviser’s fundamental research capabilities
  n   Team manages over $17 billion in international equities for retail, institutional and high net worth clients
  n   Focus on bottom-up stock selection as main driver of returns, though the team leverages the asset allocation, currency and risk management capabilities of GSAMI

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

London-Based Portfolio Management Team
             
Years
Primarily
Name and Title Fund Responsibility Responsible Five Year Employment History

Mark Beveridge, CFA
Managing Director,
Chief Investment Officer, Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Beveridge joined the Investment Adviser in December 2004 as Chief Investment Officer of the Non-US Active Equity business which encompasses the Global/ International, UK/European, Asia ex Japan and Japan strategies. Prior to joining the Investment Adviser, he spent 19 years at Franklin Templeton, where he was Executive Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for ex-US portfolios.

William Howard, CFA
Managing Director,
Director of Research,
Non-US Active Equity
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Howard joined the Investment Adviser in January 2005 as a portfolio manager. He is also Director of Research for Non-US Active Equity. From 1993 to 2004 he was a Portfolio Manager at Franklin Templeton responsible for ex-US portfolios.

Michael Stanes
Executive Director
  Portfolio Manager—
Strategic International Equity
  Since
2007
  Mr. Stanes joined the Investment Adviser as a portfolio manager in November 2002. From 1986 to 2001, he worked at Mercury Asset Management, where he managed UK equity portfolios in London, Japanese equity portfolios in Tokyo and US and global portfolios in the US.

  Mark Beveridge serves as Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of GSAM’s Non-US Active Equity team and CIO of GSAMI’s Global/EAFE strategies. As CIO, Mr. Beveridge is ultimately responsible for the composition of a Fund’s structure at both the stock and industry level. Along with the other portfolio managers on the
 
15


 

  team, Mr. Beveridge has specific industry research responsibilities. Each portfolio manager is responsible for liaising with research analysts around the world, promoting his or her stock selection ideas to the other members of the team and after debating their inclusion in the portfolio.
 
  For more information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund, see the Additional Statement.

   DISTRIBUTOR AND TRANSFER AGENT   

  Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor (the “Distributor”) of the Fund’s shares. Goldman Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606, also serves as the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and, as such, performs various shareholder servicing functions.
 
  From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may purchase and hold shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares acquired for its own account.

   ACTIVITIES OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER 
   ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN SACHS   

  The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in, other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund or limit the Fund’s investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a full service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management and financial services organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financer, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and has other direct and indirect interests, in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Fund directly and indirectly invests. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will not have any obligation to make available any

 
16


 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

  information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Fund. The results of the Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, and it is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. In addition, the Fund may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an adverse interest. For example, the Fund may take a long position in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other accounts managed by the Investment Adviser take a short position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or Goldman Sachs advised clients may adversely impact the Fund. Transactions by one or more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Fund. The Fund’s activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial services to issuers of securities and investors in securities. Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Fund, and may also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to, distributors, consultants and others who recommend the Fund as when acquisitions with or for the Fund. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the Additional Statement.
 
  Under a securities lending program approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Fund has retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Fund to the extent that the Fund engages in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Fund, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Fund’s investment of the cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Fund’s portfolio investment transactions.

 
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   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS   

  On April 2, 2004, Lois Burke, a plaintiff identifying herself as a shareholder of the Goldman Sachs Internet Tollkeeper Fund, filed a purported class and derivative action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GSG”), GSAM, the Trustees and Officers of the Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”), and John Doe Defendants. In addition, certain other investment portfolios of the Trust were named as nominal defendants. On April 19 and May 6, 2004, additional class and derivative action lawsuits containing substantially similar allegations and requests for redress were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. On June 29, 2004, the three complaints were consolidated into one action, In re Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds Fee Litigation, and on November 17, 2004, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint against GSG, GSAM, GSAMI, Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust (“GSVIT”) the Trustees and Officers of the Trust and John Doe Defendants (collectively, the “Defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Certain investment portfolios of the Trust and GSVIT (collectively, the “Goldman Sachs Funds”) were named as nominal defendants in the amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint on April 15, 2005.
 
  The second amended consolidated complaint, which is brought on behalf of all persons or entities who held shares in the Goldman Sachs Funds between April 2, 1999 and January 9, 2004, inclusive (the “Class Period”), asserts claims involving (i) violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, (ii) common law breaches of fiduciary duty and (iii) unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges, among other things, that during the Class Period, the Defendants made improper and excessive brokerage commission and other payments to brokers that sold shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds and omitted statements of-fact in registration statements and reports filed pursuant to the Investment Company Act which were necessary to prevent such registration statements and reports from being materially false and misleading. In addition, the complaint alleges that the Goldman Sachs Funds paid excessive and improper investment advisory fees to GSAM and GSAMI. The complaint also alleges that GSAM and GSAMI used Rule 12b-1 fees for improper purposes and made improper use of soft dollars. The complaint further alleges that the Trust’s Officers and Trustees breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the foregoing. The plaintiffs in the cases are seeking compensatory damages; rescission of GSAM’s and GSAMI’s investment advisory agreement and return of fees paid; an accounting of all Goldman Sachs Funds-related fees, commissions and soft dollar payments; restitution of all unlawfully or discriminatorily obtained

 
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SERVICE PROVIDERS

  fees and charges; and reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. On January 13, 2006, all claims against the Defendants were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. On February 22, 2006, the plaintiffs appealed this decision. By agreement, plaintiffs subsequently withdrew their appeal without prejudice but reserved their right to reactivate their appeal pending a decision by the circuit court of appeals on similar litigation.
 
  Based on currently available information, GSAM and GSAMI believe that the likelihood that the pending purported class and derivative action lawsuit will have a material adverse financial impact on the Goldman Sachs Funds is remote, and the pending action is not likely to materially affect their ability to provide investment management services to their clients, including the Goldman Sachs Funds.

 
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  Dividends
 
  The Fund pays dividends from its investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to have dividends and distributions paid in:
  n   Cash
  n   Additional shares of the same class of the Fund
  n   Shares of the same or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply for certain Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios (“ILA Portfolios”). See the Additional Statement.

  You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any changes may be submitted in writing to Goldman Sachs at any time before the record date for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not indicate any choice, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in the Fund.
 
  The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by you and then used to purchase the shares.
 
  The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through these taxes to you. If this election is made, a proportionate amount of such taxes will constitute a distribution to you, which would allow you either (i) to credit such proportionate amount of foreign taxes against your U.S. federal income tax liability or (ii) to take such amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  Dividends from investment income and distributions from net capital gains are declared and paid annually by the Fund.
 
  From time to time a portion of the Fund’s dividends may constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may include amounts in excess of the Fund’s net investment income for the period calculated in accordance with good accounting practice.
 
  When you purchase shares of the Fund, part of the NAV per share may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore, subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof) represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.

 
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  Shareholder Guide
 
  The following section will provide you with answers to some of the most often asked questions regarding buying and selling the Fund’s Service Shares.

   HOW TO BUY SHARES    

  How Can I Purchase Service Shares Of The Fund?
  Generally, Service Shares may be purchased only through institutions that have agreed to provide personal and account maintenance and shareholder administration services to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares. These institutions are called “Service Organizations.” Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their purchase instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place purchase orders with Goldman Sachs. Service Organizations will set times by which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from their customers. Generally, Service Shares may be purchased from the Fund on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order by Goldman Sachs from a Service Organization. No sales load is charged. Purchases of Service Shares must be settled within three business days of receipt of a complete purchase order.
 
  Service Organizations are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to Goldman Sachs in a timely fashion. Service Organizations should either:
  n   Place an order with Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550 and wire federal funds to The Northern Trust Company (“Northern”), as subcustodian for JPMorganChase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorganChase”) (the Fund’s custodian) on the next business day; or
  n   Send a check or Federal Reserve draft payable to Goldman Sachs Funds—(Name of Fund and Class of Shares), P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, IL 60606-6306. The Fund will not accept a check drawn on foreign banks, third party checks, cashier’s checks or official checks, temporary checks, electronic checks, drawer checks, cash, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of retirement assets, the Fund may accept cashier’s checks or official bank checks.

  What Do I Need To Know About Service Organizations?
  Service Organizations may provide the following services in connection with their customers’ investments in Service Shares:
  n   Personal and account maintenance services; and

 
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  n   Shareholder administration services.

  Personal and account maintenance services include:
  n   Providing facilities to answer inquiries and responding to correspondence with the Service Organization’s customers
  n   Acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust
  n   Assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other options, and similar services

  Shareholder administration services include:
  n   Acting, directly or through an agent, as the sole shareholder of record
  n   Maintaining account records for customers
  n   Processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange shares for customers
  n   Processing payments for customers

  Some (but not all) Service Organizations are authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers, and may designate other intermediaries to accept such orders, if approved by the Trust. In these cases:
  n   The Fund will be deemed to have received an order in proper form when the order is accepted by the authorized Service Organization or intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV per share (less any applicable redemption fee) next determined after such acceptance.
  n   Service Organizations or intermediaries will be responsible for transmitting accepted orders and payments to the Trust within the time period agreed upon by them.

  You should contact your Service Organization directly to learn whether it is authorized to accept orders for the Trust.
 
  Pursuant to a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, Service Organizations are entitled to receive payments for their services from the Trust. These payments are equal to 0.25% (annualized) for personal and account maintenance services plus an additional 0.25% (annualized) for shareholder administration services of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of the Fund that are attributable to or held in the name of the Service Organization for its customers.
 
  The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates’ own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Funds. The payments are in addition to the service fees

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  described in this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by the Fund. The amount of these additional payments is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. Please refer to the “Payments to Intermediaries” section of the Additional Statement for more information about these payments.
 
  The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your Service Organization or Intermediary for more information about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of interest.
 
  In addition to Service Shares, the Fund also offers other classes of shares to investors. These other share classes are subject to different fees and expenses (which affect performance), have different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services than Service Shares. Information regarding these other share classes may be obtained from your sales representative or from Goldman Sachs by calling the number on the back cover of this Prospectus.
 
  What Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?
  The Fund does not have any minimum purchase or account requirements with respect to Service Shares. A Service Organization may, however, impose a minimum amount for initial and subsequent investments in Service Shares, and may establish other requirements such as a minimum account balance. A Service

 
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  Organization may redeem Service Shares held by non-complying accounts, and may impose a charge for any special services.
 
  What Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Refuse to open an account if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable law).
  n   Reject or restrict any purchase or exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group related purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or exchanges of Service Shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases, sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent abrupt redemption might be, of a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.
  n   Close the Fund to new investors from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed appropriate by a Fund’s Investment Adviser.

  Generally, the Fund will not allow non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing outside the United States to open an account directly with the Fund.
 
  The Fund may allow Service Organizations to purchase shares with securities instead of cash if consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and operations and if approved by the Fund’s Investment Adviser.
 
  Customer Identification Program. Federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying information, which may include the name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number or other identifying information, for each investor who opens an account with the Fund. Applications without the required information, which will be reviewed solely for customer identification purposes, may not be accepted by the Fund. After accepting an application, to the extent permitted by applicable law or their customer identification program, the Fund reserves the right to: (i) place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable to verify an investor’s identity. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares pursuant to the customer identification program.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  How Are Shares Priced?
  The price you pay when you buy Service Shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class. The price you receive when you sell or exchange Service Shares is the Fund’s next determined NAV for the share class, with the redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charge (e.g., redemption fees). The Fund calculates NAV as follows:

     

NAV =
  (Value of Assets of the Class)
- (Liabilities of the Class)

Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

  The Fund’s investments are valued based on market quotations or if market quotations are not readily available, or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may be determined in good faith under procedures established by the Trustees.
 
  For Funds that invest a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Fund, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
 
  In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities at the time of determining the Fund’s NAV. Significant events that could affect a large number of securities in a particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in foreign markets; market disruptions or market closings; governmental actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements on earnings; significant litigation; and regulatory news such as governmental approvals.

 
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  One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be different from those used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.
 
  Investments in other registered mutual funds (if any) are valued based on the NAV of those mutual funds (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).
  n   NAV per share of each class is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such other time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
  n   When you buy shares, you pay the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form.
  n   When you sell shares, you receive the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form. Redemption proceeds are reduced by any applicable redemption fee.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase (including dividend re-investments), redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at an NAV other than the Fund’s official closing NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the official closing NAV, as adjusted.
  n   The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC.

  Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not settling on the same day are recorded and factored into a Fund’s net asset value on the business day following trade date (T+1). The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in a net asset value that differs materially from the net asset value that would result if all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
 
  Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange does not open for business because of an emergency, the Trust may, but is not required to, open the Fund for purchase, redemption and exchange transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open. To learn whether the Fund is open for business during an emergency situation, please call 1-800-621-2550.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the Fund is closed. As a result, the NAV of the Fund may be impacted on days when investors may not purchase or redeem Fund shares.

   HOW TO SELL SHARES   

  How Can I Sell Service Shares Of The Fund?
  Generally, Service Shares may be sold (redeemed) only through Service Organizations. Customers of a Service Organization will normally give their redemption instructions to the Service Organization, and the Service Organization will, in turn, place redemption orders with the Fund. Generally, the Fund will redeem its Service Shares upon request on any business day at their NAV next determined after receipt of such request in proper form, subject to any applicable redemption fee. Redemption proceeds may be sent to recordholders by check or by wire (if the wire instructions are on record).
 
  A Service Organization may request redemptions in writing or by telephone if the optional telephone redemption privilege is elected on the Account Application.

     

By Writing:
  Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
(8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
 
  When Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem Shares?
  A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
  n   You would like the redemption proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record; or
  n   You would like to change your current bank designations.

  A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank, brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be required.
 
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  What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
  The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be liable for any loss you may incur in the event that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs employs reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general policies are currently in effect:
  n   All telephone requests are recorded.
  n   Any redemption request that requires money to go to an account or address other than that designated on the Account Application must be in writing and signed by an authorized person designated on the Account Application. The written request may be confirmed by telephone with both the requesting party and the designated bank account to verify instructions.
  n   For the 30-day period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will generally be filled by a wire transfer to the bank account designated in the Account Application (see immediately preceding bullet point). For direct accounts to receive the redemption by check during this time period, a redemption request must be in the form of a written letter (a Medallion signature guarantee may be required).
  n   The telephone redemption option may be modified or terminated at any time.

  Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  How Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
  By Wire:  The Fund will arrange for redemption proceeds to be wired as federal funds to the domestic bank account designated in the recordholder’s Account Application. The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
  n   Redemption proceeds will normally be wired on the next business day in federal funds, but may be paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly executed wire transfer redemption request.
  n   Although redemption proceeds will normally be wired as described above, under certain circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended as permitted pursuant to Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section, redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC by order permits the suspension of the right of redemption.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  n   If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days. If the Federal Reserve Bank is closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed one additional business day.
  n   To change the bank designated on your Account Application, you must send written instructions (with your Medallion signature guarantee) to the Service Organization.
  n   Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs assumes any responsibility for the performance of intermediaries or your Service Organization in the transfer process. If a problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly with such intermediaries or Service Organization.

  By Check:  A recordholder may elect in writing to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record within three business days of receipt of a properly executed redemption request. If the shares to be sold were recently paid for by check, the Fund will pay the redemption proceeds when the check has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
 
  What Do I Need To Know About The Redemption Fee?
  The Fund will charge a 2% redemption fee on the redemption of shares (including by exchange) held for 30 calendar days or less. For this purpose, the Fund uses a first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method so that shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest will be treated as being redeemed last. The redemption fee will be paid to the Fund from which the redemption is made, and is intended to offset the trading costs, market impact and other costs associated with short-term money movements in and out of the Fund. The redemption fee may be collected by deduction from the redemption proceeds or, if assessed after the redemption transaction, through a separate billing.
 
  The redemption fee does not apply to transactions involving the following:
  n   Redemptions of shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
  n   Redemptions of shares that are acquired or redeemed in connection with the participation in a systematic withdrawal program or automatic investment plan.
  n   Redemptions of shares by other Goldman Sachs Funds (e.g., Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios).
  n   Redemptions of shares held through discretionary wrap programs or models programs that utilize a regularly scheduled automatic rebalancing of assets and that have provided GSAM with certain representations regarding certain operating policies and standards.

 
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  n   Redemptions of shares involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges from retirement plans and accounts maintained pursuant to Section 401 (tax-qualified pension, profit sharing, 401(k), money purchase and stock bonus plans), 403 (qualified annuity plans and tax-sheltered annuities) and 457 (deferred compensation plans for employees of tax-exempt entities or governments) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Redemptions involving transactions other than participant initiated exchanges would include, for example: loans; required minimum distributions; rollovers; forfeiture; redemptions of shares to pay fees; plan level redemptions or exchanges; redemptions pursuant to systematic withdrawal programs; return of excess contribution amounts; hardship withdrawals; redemptions related to death, disability or qualified domestic relations order; and certain other transactions.
  n   Redemptions of shares from accounts of financial institutions in connection with hedging services provided in support of nonqualified deferred compensation plans offering the Goldman Sachs Funds.
  n   Redemption of shares where the Funds are made available as an underlying investment in certain group annuity contracts.
  n   Redemption of shares that are issued as part of an investment company reorganization to which a Goldman Sachs Fund is a party.
  n   Redemptions of shares representing “seed capital” investments by Goldman Sachs or its affiliates.

  The Trust reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fee or waivers at any time and will give 60 days’ prior written notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law. The redemption fee policy may be modified or amended in the future.
 
  In addition to the circumstances noted above, the Trust reserves the right to grant additional exceptions based on such factors as system limitations, operational limitations, contractual limitations and further guidance from the SEC or other regulators.
 
  If your shares are held through a financial intermediary in an omnibus or other group account, the Trust relies on the financial intermediary to assess the redemption fee on underlying shareholder accounts. The application of redemption fees and exceptions may vary and certain intermediaries may not apply the exceptions listed above. If you invest through a financial intermediary, please contact your intermediary for more information regarding when redemption fees will be applied to the redemption of your shares.

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  What Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
  The following generally applies to redemption requests:
  n   Additional documentation may be required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A redemption request will not be in proper form until such additional documentation has been received.
  n   Service Organizations are responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate the timely transmittal of redemption requests, Service Organizations may set times by which they must receive redemption requests. Service Organizations may also require additional documentation from you.

  The Trust reserves the right to:
  n   Redeem your shares in the event a Service Organization’s relationship with Goldman Sachs is terminated and you do not transfer your account to another Service Organization with a relationship with Goldman Sachs. The Trust will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account or tax liability resulting from the redemption.
  n   Subject to applicable law, redeem your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
  n   Pay redemptions by a distribution in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
  n   Reinvest any amounts (e.g., dividends, distributions, or redemption proceeds) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts or to a closed account. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

  Can I Exchange My Investment From One Fund To Another?
 
  A Service Organization may exchange Service Shares of the Fund at NAV for certain shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund. Redemption of shares (including by exchange) that are held for 30 calendar days or less (60 calendar days or less with respect to the Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) may, however, be subject to a redemption fee as described above under “What Do I Need To Know About The Redemption Fee?” The exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.

 
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Instructions For Exchanging Shares:

By Writing:
  n  Write a letter of instruction that includes:
         n  The recordholder name(s) and signature(s)
         n  The account number
         n  The Fund names and Class of Shares
         n  The dollar amount to be exchanged
    n  Mail the request to:
    Goldman Sachs Funds
    P.O. Box 06050
    Chicago, IL 60606-6306

By Telephone:
  If you have elected the telephone exchange privilege on your Account Application:
    n  1-800-621-2550
    (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New York time)

  You should keep in mind the following factors when making or considering an exchange:
  n   You should obtain and carefully read the prospectus of the Fund you are acquiring before making an exchange.
  n   All exchanges which represent an initial investment in a Fund must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. Exchanges into a money market fund need not meet the traditional minimum investment requirement for that fund if the entire balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.
 
  n   Normally, a telephone exchange will be made only to an identically registered account.
 
  n   Exchanges are available only in states where exchanges may be legally made.
 
  n   It may be difficult to make telephone exchanges in times of drastic economic or market conditions.
 
  n   Goldman Sachs may use reasonable procedures described under “What Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?” in an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
 
  n   Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed to new investors may be restricted.
 
  n   Exchanges into the Fund from another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.

  For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax, followed by a purchase of shares received in the

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  exchange. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.
 
  What Types Of Reports Will Be Sent Regarding Investments In Service Shares?
  Service Organizations will receive from the Fund annual reports containing audited financial statements and semi-annual reports. Service Organizations will also be provided with a printed confirmation for each transaction in their account and a monthly account statement. Service Organizations are responsible for providing these or other reports to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Service Shares in accordance with the rules that apply to their accounts with the Service Organizations. In addition, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries will be responsible for providing any communications from the Fund to its shareholders, including but not limited to prospectuses, prospectus supplements, proxy materials, and notices regarding the sources of dividend payments pursuant to Section 19 of the Investment Company Act.

   RESTRICTIONS ON EXCESSIVE TRADING   

  Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading Practices. In accordance with the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases and redemption of Fund shares and does not permit market timing or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes only that are consistent with the investment policies and practices of the Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs) will exercise this right if, in the Trust’s (or Goldman Sachs’) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple accounts under common ownership or control may be considered together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to
 
33


 

  those of Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of Goldman Sachs.
 
  To deter excessive shareholder trading, the Fund, certain other International Equity Funds and certain Fixed Income Funds (which are offered in separate prospectuses) impose a redemption fee on redemptions made within 30 calendar days of purchase (60 calendar days of purchase with respect to Goldman Sachs High Yield Fund and High Yield Municipal Fund) subject to certain exceptions. See “Shareholder Guide—How to Sell Shares—What Do I Need to Know About the Redemption Fee?” for more information about the redemption fee, including transactions and certain omnibus accounts to which the redemption fee does not apply. As a further deterrent to excessive trading, many foreign equity securities held by the Fund are priced by the independent pricing service using fair valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see “Shareholder Guide—How to Buy Shares—How are Shares Priced?”
 
  Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. Goldman Sachs reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information relating to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, Goldman Sachs, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. Consistent with the standards described above, if, in its judgment, Goldman Sachs detects excessive, short term trading, Goldman Sachs may reject or restrict a purchase or exchange request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner that, in Goldman Sachs’ judgment, will be uniform.
 
  Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained by intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment advisers, transfer agents, administrators and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans and other group accounts. Omnibus accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Fund’s market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While Goldman Sachs may

 
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SHAREHOLDER GUIDE

  monitor share turnover at the omnibus account level, the Fund’s ability to monitor and detect market timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in these omnibus accounts is limited. The netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors who engage in market timing and other excessive trading activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in every instance.

 
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  Taxation
 
  As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in the Fund will be taxed. The tax information below is provided as general information. More tax information is available in the Additional Statement. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the Fund.
 
  Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged account, you should consider the possible tax consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund shares.

   DISTRIBUTIONS   

  The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you receive from the Fund are generally subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, while distributions attributable to long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares.
 
  Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Also, Fund distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to dividends received by the Fund from U.S. and certain qualified foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term capital gain rate, as long as certain other requirements are met. The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable tax treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities, by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or “non-qualified” foreign corporations. For these lower rates to apply, the noncorporate shareholder must own Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend rate.
 
  A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain rate and the taxation of dividends at the long-term capital gain rate will revert back to a prior version of these provisions in the Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

 
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TAXATION

  Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. It is not anticipated that any significant percentage of the Fund’s dividends paid to corporate shareholders will be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. Character and tax status of all distributions will be available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
 
  The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. The Fund may make an election to treat a proportionate amount of those taxes as constituting a distribution to each shareholder, which would allow you either (i) to credit that proportionate amount of taxes against U.S. Federal income tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (ii) to take that amount as an itemized deduction.
 
  If you buy shares of the Fund before it makes a distribution, the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is known as “buying into a dividend.”

   SALES AND EXCHANGES   

  Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale. When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount received. Generally, this gain or loss is long-term or short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds twelve months, except that any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 
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   OTHER INFORMATION   

  When you open your account, you should provide your Social Security Number or tax identification number on your Account Application. By law, the Fund must withhold 28% of your taxable distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
 
  Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. But, withholding is generally not required on properly designated distributions of long-term capital gains and of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income paid before August 31, 2008. Although this designation will be made for capital gain distributions, the Fund does not anticipate making any qualified interest income designations. Therefore, all distributions of interest income will be subject to withholding when paid to non-U.S. investors. More information about U.S. taxation of non-U.S. investors is included in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques

   A.  General Portfolio Risks   

  The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity investments. “Equity investments” may include common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants, stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and in response to general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of the equity investments that the Fund holds may decline over short or extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your investment in the Fund may increase or decrease. In recent years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price volatility.
 
  To the extent that the Fund invests in fixed-income securities, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its fixed-income securities. These risks include interest rate risk, credit risk and call/extension risk. In general, interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates decline, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to increase (although many mortgage-related securities will have less potential than other debt securities for capital appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely, when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed-income securities tends to decline. Credit risk involves the risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its obligations, and the Fund will not recover its investment. Call risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment would be expected to decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can result in losses to

 
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  investors. The same would be true of asset-backed securities such as securities backed by car loans.
 
  The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one year or less. See “Predecessor Fund Financial Highlights” in Appendix B for a statement of the Predecessor Fund’s historical portfolio turnover rates.
 
  The following sections provide further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks. Additional information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request. Among other things, the Additional Statement describes certain fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all investment objectives and all investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a change in the Fund’s investment objective, you should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light of your then current financial position and needs.

   B.  Other Portfolio Risks   

  Risks of Investing in Small Capitalization and Mid-Capitalization Companies. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, invest in small and mid-capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies involve greater risk and portfolio price volatility than investments in larger capitalization stocks. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility of these investments are the less certain growth prospects of smaller firms and the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be thinly traded and may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or in small lots over an extended period of time. In addition, these securities are subject to the risk that during certain periods the liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities in particular investment categories, will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic or market conditions, or adverse investor perceptions whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the
 
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APPENDIX A

  Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Small and mid-capitalization companies include “unseasoned” issuers that do not have an established financial history; often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources; may depend on or use a few key personnel for management; and may be susceptible to losses and risks of bankruptcy. Small and mid-capitalization companies may be operating at a loss or have significant variations in operating results; may be engaged in a rapidly changing business with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence; may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, to finance expansion or to maintain their competitive position; and may have substantial borrowings or may otherwise have a weak financial condition. In addition, these companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with greater financial resources, more extensive development, manufacturing, marketing, and other capabilities, and a larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel. Transaction costs for these investments are often higher than those of larger capitalization companies. Investments in small and mid-capitalization companies may be more difficult to price precisely than other types of securities because of their characteristics and lower trading volumes.
 
  Risks of Foreign Investments. The Fund may make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations ( e.g. , currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate of the currency ( i.e. , weakening of the currency against the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which the Fund receives dividends, interest or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such dividends.
 
  Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. In addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
 
  Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There

 
41


 

  may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In addition, there is generally less government regulation of foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and securities of many foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions), limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such countries, and risks of political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
 
  Concentration of the Fund’s assets in one or a few countries and currencies will subject the Fund to greater risks than if a Fund’s assets were not geographically concentrated.
 
  Investment in sovereign debt obligations by the Fund involves risks not present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and the Fund may have limited recourse to compel payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic uncertainty may result in the volatility of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn the Fund’s NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt obligations of U.S. issuers.
 
  A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward international lenders, and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject.
 
  Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs, GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Euro. On January 1, 1999, the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) introduced a new single currency called the euro. The euro has replaced the national currencies of the following member countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. In addition, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovakia became members of the EMU on May 1, 2004 and Bulgaria and Romania became members of the EMU on January 1, 2007, but these countries will not adopt the euro as their new currency until they can show that their economies have converged with the economies of the euro zone.
 
  The European Central Bank has control over each country’s monetary policies. Therefore, the member countries no longer control their own monetary policies by directing independent interest rates for their currencies. The national governments of the participating countries, however, have retained the authority to set tax and spending policies and public debt levels.
 
  The change to the euro as a single currency is relatively new and untested. The elimination of currency risk among EMU countries has affected the economic environment and behavior of investors, particularly in European markets, but the long-term impact of those changes on currency values or on the business or financial condition of European countries and issuers cannot be fully assessed at this time. In addition, the introduction of the euro presents other unique uncertainties, including the fluctuation of the euro relative to non-euro currencies; whether the interest rate, tax and labor regimes of European countries participating in the euro will converge over time; and whether the conversion of the currencies of other countries that now are or may in the future become members of the European Union (“EU”) will have an impact on the euro. Also, it is possible that the euro could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use. In May and June 2005, voters in France and the Netherlands rejected ratification of the EU Constitution causing some other countries to postpone moves toward ratification. These or other events, including political and economic developments, could cause market disruptions, and could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. Because of the number of countries using this single currency, a significant portion of the assets held by the Fund may be denominated in the euro.
 
  Risks of Emerging Countries. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries are generally located in the Asia and Pacific regions, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. The Fund’s purchase and sale of portfolio securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by limitations relating to daily changes in the prices

 
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  of listed securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, its affiliates and their respective clients and other service providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached.
 
  Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain Asian countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased by the Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain emerging countries is subject to restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. In situations where a country restricts direct investment in securities (which may occur in certain Asian and other countries), the Fund may invest in such countries through other investment funds in such countries.
 
  Many emerging countries have experienced currency devaluations and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic recessions. These circumstances have had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
 
  Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a result of military coups, while governments in other emerging countries have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in emerging countries involves greater risk of loss due to

 
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APPENDIX A

  expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and many claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern European or other countries.
 
  The Fund’s investment in emerging countries may also be subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant and may reduce the return from an investment in such countries to the Fund.
 
  Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less developed and reliable than those in the United States and may involve the Fund’s delivery of securities before receipt of payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays may occur in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the Fund has delivered or the Fund’s inability to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or other reasons.
 
  The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its responsibilities.
 
  The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in those countries may make the Fund’s investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities markets (such as the United States, Japan and most Western European countries). The Fund’s investments in emerging countries are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Investments in emerging countries may be more difficult to price precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading volumes.
 
  The Fund’s use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging countries may be limited. The Investment Adviser anticipates that a significant portion of the

 
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  Fund’s currency exposure in emerging countries may not be covered by these techniques.
 
  Risk of Equity Swap Transactions. Equity swaps are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard “swap” transaction, the parties agree to pay or exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be paid or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset.
 
  Equity swaps may be structured in different ways. For example, when the Fund takes a long position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have increased in value had it been invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stock. Therefore, in this case the return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, when the Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock, as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors.
 
  Under an equity swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of the equity swap or periodically during its term. Sometimes, however, the Investment Adviser may be able to terminate a swap contract prior to its term, subject to any potential termination fee that is in addition to the Fund’s accrued obligations under the swap. Equity swaps will be made in the over-the-counter market and will be entered into with a counterparty that typically will be an investment banking firm, broker-dealer or bank.
 
  Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values of assets or economic factors, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Risks of Derivative Investments. The Fund’s transactions, if any, in options, futures, options on futures, swaps, interest rate caps, floors and collars, structured securities and foreign currency transactions involve additional risk of loss. Loss can result from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any) being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated with such transactions. The use of these management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates, currency prices or credit events. The Fund may also invest in derivative investments for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return). Investing for non-hedging purposes is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater risk of loss.
 
  Risks of Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:
  n   Both domestic and foreign securities that are not readily marketable
  n   Certain stripped mortgage-backed securities
  n   Repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
  n   Certain over-the-counter options
  n   Certain structured securities and swap transactions
  n   Certain restricted securities, unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“144A Securities”).

  Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
 
  Credit/Default Risks. Debt securities purchased by the Fund may include securities (including zero coupon bonds) issued by the U.S. government (and its agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises), foreign governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other issuers. Some of these fixed-income securities are described in the next section below. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement.

 
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  Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“Standard & Poor’s”), Baa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO are considered “investment grade.” Securities rated BBB or Baa are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken their issuers’ capacity to pay interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required rating from at least one such rating organization even though it has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating organizations, the security is determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable credit quality. A security satisfies a Fund’s minimum rating requirement regardless of its relative ranking (for example, plus or minus) within a designated major rating category (for example, BBB or Baa). If a security satisfies the Fund’s minimum rating requirement at the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below that rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of the security. If a downgrade occurs, the Investment Adviser will consider what action, including the sale of the security, is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
 
  The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities rated BB or Ba or below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” Junk bonds are considered predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
 
  In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present greater speculative risks than those associated with investment in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating assigned to a security in the Fund’s portfolio is downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
 
  Risks of Initial Public Offerings. The Fund may invest in IPOs. An IPO is a company’s first offering of stock to the public. IPO risk is the risk that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance. Because of the

 
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APPENDIX A

  price volatility of IPO shares, the Fund may choose to hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. By selling IPO shares, the Fund may realize taxable gains it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. In addition, the market for IPO shares can be speculative and/or inactive for extended periods of time. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain allocable portions of IPO shares. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may make it more difficult for the Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Investors in IPO shares can be affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders.
 
  Temporary Investment Risks. The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total assets in:
  n   U.S. government securities
  n   Commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s, P-2 by Moody’s or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO
  n   Certificates of deposit
  n   Bankers’ acceptances
  n   Repurchase agreements
  n   Non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year

  When the Fund’s assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.

   C.  Portfolio Securities and Techniques   

  This section provides further information on certain types of securities and investment techniques that may be used by the Fund, including their associated risks.
 
  The Fund may purchase other types of securities or instruments similar to those described in this section if otherwise consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Further information is provided in the Additional Statement, which is available upon request.
 
  Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are preferred stock or debt obligations that are convertible into common stock. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities in which the Fund invests are subject to the same rating criteria as its other investments in fixed-income securities. Convertible securities have both equity and fixed-income risk

 
49


 

  characteristics. Like all fixed-income securities, the value of convertible securities is susceptible to the risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. Generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds the conversion price of the convertible security, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the convertible security, like a fixed-income security, tends to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock.
 
  Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of the Fund’s performance benchmark. The Fund may also enter into such transactions to seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative practice.
 
  The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged security is denominated or quoted. The Fund may hold foreign currency received in connection with investments in foreign securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars at a later date ( e.g. , the Investment Adviser may anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar).
 
  Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, causing, along with other factors, the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate (when the Fund’s NAV fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down). Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
 
  The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other party to such instruments than is available for currency instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on its obligations. Since these contracts are

 
50


 

APPENDIX A

  not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price.
 
  Structured Securities. The Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are securities whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in two or more References.
 
  The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree of market risk than many types of securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities.
 
  REITs. The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in either real estate or real estate related loans. The value of a REIT is affected by changes in the value of the properties owned by the REIT or securing mortgage loans held by the REIT. REITs are dependent upon the ability of the REITs’ managers, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and the qualification of the REITs under applicable regulatory requirements for favorable income tax treatment. REITs are also subject to risks generally associated with investments in real estate including possible declines in the value of real estate, general and local economic conditions, environmental problems and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a REIT are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, these risks may be heightened. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses, including management fees, paid by a REIT in which it invests.
 
  Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign Currencies. A put option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the option period. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in which it may invest. The Fund may also,

 
51


 

  to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and call options on foreign currencies.
 
  The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to increase total return (which is considered a speculative activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in market prices or determination of the correlation between the instruments or indices on which options are written and purchased and the instruments in the Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The use of options can also increase the Fund’s transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will present greater possibility of loss because of their greater illiquidity and credit risks.
 
  Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A futures contract may be based on particular securities, foreign currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on both U.S. and foreign exchanges.
 
  The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts, in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Fund.

 
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APPENDIX A

  Futures contracts and related options present the following risks:
  n   While the Fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
  n   Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to additional risk of loss.
  n   The loss incurred by the Fund in entering into futures contracts and in writing call options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
  n   Futures markets are highly volatile and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV.
  n   As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund.
  n   Futures contracts and options on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
  n   Foreign exchanges may not provide the same protection as U.S. exchanges.

  As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must “set aside” (often referred to as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures to “cover” open positions with respect to its transactions in futures contracts. In the case of futures contracts that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts that do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market net obligations ( i.e.  the Fund’s daily net liability) under the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures contracts.
 
  Equity Swaps. The Fund may invest in equity swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or equity investment.

 
53


 

  An equity swap may be used by the Fund to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not accurately analyze and predict the potential relative fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, the Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. Furthermore, the Fund may suffer a loss if the counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally illiquid, the Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when desired.
 
  When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase when-issued securities and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time. When-issued securities are securities that have been authorized, but not yet issued. When-issued securities are purchased in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. A forward commitment involves the entering into a contract to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period.
 
  The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines before the settlement date. Conversely, the sale of securities on a forward commitment basis involves the risk that the value of the securities sold may increase before the settlement date. Although the Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of acquiring the securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of when-issued securities or forward commitments prior to settlement if the Investment Adviser deems it appropriate.
 
  Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the purchase of securities subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation.
 
  If the other party or “seller” defaults, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Fund’s costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the seller, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court determines that the Fund’s interest in the collateral is not enforceable.

 
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APPENDIX A

  The Fund, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
 
  Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending involves the lending of securities owned by the Fund to financial institutions such as certain broker-dealers including, as permitted by the SEC, Goldman Sachs. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or letters of credit in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral may be invested by the Fund in short-term investments, including unregistered investment pools managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates and from which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees. To the extent that cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund will be responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrowers’ collateral. If the Investment Adviser determines to make securities loans, the value of the securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the total assets of the Fund (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus regarding investments in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
 
  The Fund may lend its securities to increase its income. The Fund may, however, experience delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund or becomes insolvent.
 
  Short Sales Against-the-Box. The Fund may make short sales against-the-box. A short sale against-the-box means that at all times when a short position is open the Fund will own an equal amount of securities sold short, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, an equal amount of the securities of the same issuer as the securities sold short.
 
  Preferred Stock, Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in preferred stock, warrants and rights. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock.

 
55


 

  Warrants and other rights are options to buy a stated number of shares of common stock at a specified price at any time during the life of the warrant or right. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
 
  Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM , as defined below) subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, other investment companies in which a Fund may invest include money market funds which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
 
  Exchange-traded funds such as SPDRs and iShares SM are shares of unaffiliated investment companies which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ ® National Market System.

  n   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™. The Fund may, consistent with its investment policies, purchase Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts™ (“SPDRs”). SPDRs are securities traded on an exchange that represent ownership in the SPDR Trust, a trust which has been established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the S&P 500 ® . SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading, or reducing transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price action of the S&P 500 ® .
 
  n   iShares SM . iShares are shares of an investment company that invests substantially all of its assets in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI indices for various countries and regions. iShares are listed on an exchange and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iShares are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares on an exchange.

 
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APPENDIX A

  However, iShares have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, the Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares as part of its investment strategy.

  Unseasoned Companies. The Fund may invest in companies which (together with their predecessors) have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
 
  Corporate Debt Obligations. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. The Fund may invest in corporate debt obligations issued by U.S. and certain non-U.S. issuers which issue securities denominated in the U.S. dollar (including Yankee and Euro obligations). In addition to obligations of corporations, corporate debt obligations include securities issued by banks and other financial institutions and supranational entities ( i.e. , the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.).
 
  Bank Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.
 
  U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may be supported by (i) the full faith and

 
57


 

  credit of the U.S. Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer; or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government Securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and other stripped U.S. Government Securities, where the interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government Securities are traded independently. U.S. Government Securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation.
 
  Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates. The Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government Securities or other types of securities in which the Fund may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. If for tax purposes the Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities held in the custodial or trust account, the Fund may suffer adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Fund may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or non-governmental entity. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are normally structured with one or more types of “credit enhancement.” However, these mortgage-backed securities typically do not have the same credit standing as U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
 
  Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other permitted investments. CMOs provide an investor with a specified interest in the cash flow

 
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APPENDIX A

  from a pool of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued in multiple classes each with a specified fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution rate. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are paid in full.
 
  Sometimes, however, CMO classes are “parallel pay,” i.e. , payments of principal are made to two or more classes concurrently. In some cases, CMOs may have the characteristics of a stripped mortgage-backed security whose price can be highly volatile. CMOs may exhibit more or less price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-related obligations, and under certain interest rate and payment scenarios, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in certain of these securities regardless of their credit quality.
 
  Mortgaged-backed securities also include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), which are derivative multiple class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS are usually structured with two different classes: one that receives substantially all of the interest payments and the other that receives substantially all of the principal payments from a pool of mortgage loans. The market value of SMBS consisting entirely of principal payments generally is unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on SMBS that receive all or most of the interest from mortgage loans are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities because their cash flow patterns are more volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.
 
  Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities whose principal and interest payments are collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal property. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to

 
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  possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.
 
  Borrowings. The Fund can borrow money from banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes. The Fund may not make additional investments if borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 
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  Appendix B
Predecessor Fund
  Financial Highlights
 
  The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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 the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
 
  The financial highlights information for the Fund is based on the financial history of the Class A Shares of the AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The information for the Predecessor Fund has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements are included in their annual report and is available upon request.
 
  During the periods shown, Service Shares were not offered by the Predecessor Fund. Different share classes of mutual fund investment portfolios generally have substantially similar annual returns because they are invested in the same investment portfolio of securities. Annual returns differ as a result of the expenses of a particular share class. Class A Shares of the Predecessor Fund had a 0.45% distribution and service fee while Service Shares of the Fund have a 0.50% combined service fee and shareholder administration fee.
 
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Ten Months
Year Ended Year Ended Ended Year Ended December 31,
October 31, October 31, October 31,
Class A 2006 c 2005 c,d 2004 c 2003 c 2002 c 2001 c

Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 15.24     $ 12.86     $ 13.39     $ 10.30     $ 12.82     $ 18.35  
   
Income (loss) from investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income (loss)
    (0.01 )     0.04       0.01       0.01       0.04       (0.07 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
    3.77       2.36       (0.54 )     3.04       (2.58 )     (5.49 )
   
Total from investment operations
    3.76       2.40       (0.53 )     3.05       (2.54 )     (5.56 )
   
Less Distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net investment income
    (0.07 )     (0.02 )                        
Distributions from realized gains
                                   
   
Total dividends and distributions
    (0.07 )     (0.02 )                        
   
Redemption fees
    #     #     #     0.04       0.02       0.03  
   
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 18.93     $ 15.24     $ 12.86     $ 13.39     $ 10.30     $ 12.82  
   
Total return b,†
    24.79 %     18.59 %     (3.96 )%     30.00 %     (19.66 )%     (30.14 )%
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
                                               
Net assets, end of period (000’s)
  $ 87,839     $ 35,599     $ 32,757     $ 30,444     $ 23,226     $ 34,589  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.85 %     1.96 %
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.75 % d     1.74 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    1.85 % d     2.19 %     1.88 %     1.95 %     2.10 %     1.96 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
                                               
 
After waivers a
    (0.15 )%     0.14 %     0.05 %     0.06 %     0.35 %     (0.50 )%
 
After waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.04 )%     0.25 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
Before waivers and fees paid indirectly a
    (0.15 )%     (0.20 )%     0.02 %     (0.04 )%     0.10 %     (0.50 )%
Portfolio turnover rate e
    74 %     136 %     115 %     56 %     182 %     99 %
Effect of contractual expense limitation during the period:
                                               
 
Per share benefit to net investment loss
  $     $ 0.05         *       *       *       *

     
*
  Prior to the year ended October 31, 2005, these ratios and per share amounts were not provided.
 
#
  Per share amount is less than $0.005.
 
  The total returns for Class A do not include sales charges.
 
a
  Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized.
 
b
  Total return for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
c
  Net investment income and capital changes per share are based on daily average shares outstanding.
 
d
  Reflects overall fund ratios adjusted for class specific expenses.
 
e
  Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
62


 

 
  Index
         
    1 General Investment Management Approach
 
    2 Fund Investment Objective and Strategies
    2   Goldman Sachs
Strategic International Equity Fund
 
    4 Other Investment Practices and Securities
 
    6 Principal Risks of the Fund
 
    9 Fund Performance
 
    10 Fund Fees and Expenses
 
 
    13 Service Providers
 
    20 Dividends
 
    21 Shareholder Guide
    21   How To Buy Shares
    27   How To Sell Shares
 
    36 Taxation
 
    39 Appendix A
     Additional Information on
     Portfolio Risks, Securities
     and Techniques
 
    61 Appendix B
     Predecessor Fund
     Financial Highlights


 

 
  Strategic International Equity Fund
Prospectus
(Service Shares)

   FOR MORE INFORMATION   

  Annual/Semi-annual Report
  Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s annual reports, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. Before the date of this Prospectus, the Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund had not commenced operations. The annual report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 will become available to shareholders in October 2007.
 
  Statement of Additional Information
  Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also available in the Fund’s Additional Statement. The Additional Statement is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of this Prospectus).
 
  The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available), and the Additional Statement, are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs at 1-800-621-2550. You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual reports and the Additional Statement at the Fund’s website: http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
 
  To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:

     
     n  By telephone:
  1-800-621-2550
     n  By mail:
  Goldman Sachs Funds,
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, IL 60606-6306
     n  On the Internet:
  SEC EDGAR database – http://www.sec.gov

  You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including the Additional Statement) by visiting the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102 or by electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 942-8090.

The Fund’s investment company registration number is 811-5349.

GSAM ® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

(GOLDMAN SACHS LOGO)


 

GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
SERVICE SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
Supplement Dated January 19, 2007 to the Statement of Additional Information dated January 19, 2007
     The Class A, Class B, Class C, Service and Institutional Shares of: Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund have been created in connection with the proposed acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund, respectively, of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (“Enterprise Trust”).
     It is anticipated that at a shareholder meeting in the second quarter of 2007, the shareholders of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of Enterprise Trust will be asked to approve a proposed agreement and plan of reorganization whereby the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund will be acquired by the Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund, respectively.
     The Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund are newly organized Funds that have been created in connection with the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund (each a “Predecessor Fund” and collectively, the “Predecessor Funds”), respectively. If the reorganization is approved by the Predecessor Funds’ shareholders, for purposes of the reorganization, the Predecessor Funds will be considered the accounting survivors, and accordingly, certain financial information relating to the Predecessor Funds has been included in the attached statement of additional information and presented as if the reorganization has been consummated. However, as of the date of this statement of additional information, the reorganization has not yet been approved by shareholders and has not occurred.

 


 

PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED JANUARY 19, 2007
CLASS A SHARES
CLASS B SHARES
CLASS C SHARES
SERVICE SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS STRUCTURED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
GOLDMAN SACHS STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
(Equity Portfolios of Goldman Sachs Trust)
71 South Wacker Drive
Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60606
     This Statement of Additional Information (the “Additional Statement”) is not a Prospectus. This Additional Statement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses for the Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares of: Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund, Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund dated January 19, 2007 (the “Prospectuses”), as they may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time, which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the telephone number, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions (“Service Organizations”) acting on behalf of their customers. The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (“Enterprise Trust”) (each, a “Predecessor Fund” and collectively, the “Predecessor Funds”) contained in such Predecessor Funds’ 2006 Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference in the section “Financial Statements.” No other parts of the Predecessor Funds’ Annual Report are incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Predecessor Funds’ Annual Report may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at (800) 621-2550.
     GSAM® is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
INTRODUCTION
    B-1  
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
    B-2  
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
    B-38  
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
    B-40  
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
    B-49  
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
    B-62  
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
    B-75  
NET ASSET VALUE
    B-79  
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
    B-81  
SHARES OF THE TRUST
    B-84  
TAXATION
    B-88  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    B-94  
PROXY VOTING
    B-94  
PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
    B-95  
OTHER INFORMATION
    B-97  
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    B-99  
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS,EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
    B-101  
SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
    B-104  
APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
    1-A  
APPENDIX B 2006 ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
    1-B  
APPENDIX C BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    1-C  
APPENDIX D STATEMENT OF INTENTION (applicable only to Class A Shares)
    1-D  
The date of this Additional Statement is January 19, 2007.

 


 

GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
Investment Adviser to:
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
32 Old Slip
New York, New York 10005
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Distributor
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Transfer Agent
71 South Wacker Drive
Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois 60606
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET
MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL

Investment Adviser to:
Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, England EC1A7HD
Toll free (in U.S.) . . . 800-621-2550

 


 

INTRODUCTION
     Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997. The following series of the Trust are described in this Additional Statement: Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Value Fund (“Structured Small Cap Value Fund”), Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund (“Structured Small Cap Growth Fund”) and Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund (“Strategic International Equity Fund”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Funds”).
     The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have created the Funds and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to time. Each Fund currently offers five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares, Service Shares and Institutional Shares. See “Shares of the Trust.”
     The Structured Small Cap Value Fund, Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Strategic International Equity Fund are newly organized funds that have been created in connection with the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of the AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund, AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund and AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund of AXA Enterprise Funds Trust (“Enterprise Trust”) (each, a “Predecessor Fund” and collectively, the “Predecessor Funds”), respectively. The Predecessor Funds, for purposes of the reorganization, are considered the accounting survivors and accordingly, certain financial history of the Predecessor Funds is included in this statement of additional information.
     Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM”), an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) serves as the Investment Adviser to the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”) serves as the Investment Adviser to the Strategic International Equity Fund. GSAM and GSAMI are sometimes individually referred to as an “Investment Adviser” and collectively herein as the “Investment Advisers.” In addition, Goldman Sachs serves as each Fund’s distributor and transfer agent. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) serves as the custodian to the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. JPMorganChase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorganChase”) serves as the custodian to the Strategic International Equity Fund.
     The following information relates to and supplements the description of each Fund’s investment policies contained in the Prospectuses. See the Prospectuses for a more complete description of the Funds’ investment objectives and policies. Investing in the Funds entails certain risks and there is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectuses.

B-1


 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
     Each Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be achieved. Each Fund is a diversified open-end management company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). The investment objective and policies of each Fund, and the associated risks of each Fund, are discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses, which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder approval. However, with respect to the Structured Small Cap Value, Structured Small Cap Growth and Strategic International Equity Funds, to the extent required by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations, shareholders will be provided with sixty days notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before any change in a Fund’s policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) or total assets (not including securities lending collateral and any investment of that collateral) in the particular type of investment suggested by its name. Additional information about the Funds, their policies, and the investment instruments they may hold, is provided below.
     Each Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable, foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in any of the Funds may be worth more or less when redeemed than when purchased. None of the Funds should be relied upon as a complete investment program.
     The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds’ Prospectuses.
General Information Regarding The Funds
     The Investment Adviser may purchase for the Funds common stocks, preferred stocks, interests in real estate investment trusts, convertible debt obligations, convertible preferred stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises, warrants and stock purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities (“equity investments”). The Investment Adviser utilizes first-hand fundamental research, including visiting company facilities to assess operations and to meet decision-makers, in choosing a Fund’s securities. The Investment Adviser may also use macro analysis of numerous economic and valuation variables to anticipate changes in company earnings and the overall investment climate. The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the research and market expertise of the Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Department and other affiliates of the Investment Adviser, as well as information provided by other securities dealers. Equity investments in a Fund’s portfolio will generally be sold when the Investment Adviser believes that the market price fully reflects or exceeds the investments’ fundamental valuation or when other more attractive investments are identified.
      Quantitative Style Funds. The Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds (the “Structured Equity Funds”) are managed using both quantitative and fundamental techniques. The investment process and the proprietary multifactor model used to implement it are discussed below.
      Investment Process . The Investment Adviser begins with a broad universe of U.S. equity investments for the Structured Equity Funds. As described more fully below, the Investment Adviser uses

B-2


 

a proprietary multifactor model (the “Multifactor Model”) to forecast the returns of different markets, currencies and individual securities.
     In building a diversified portfolio for each Structured Equity Fund, the Investment Adviser utilizes optimization techniques to seek to construct the most efficient risk/return portfolio given each Structured Fund’s benchmark. Each portfolio is primarily composed of securities that the Investment Adviser believes maximize the portfolio’s risk/return tradeoff characteristics. Each portfolio holds industry weightings similar to those of the relevant Fund’s benchmark.
      Multifactor Model . The Multifactor Model is a rigorous computerized rating system for forecasting the returns of different equity markets, currencies and individual equity investments according to fundamental investment characteristics. The Structured Equity Funds use one Multifactor Model to forecast the returns of securities in the relevant forecast universe. The Multifactor Model incorporates such variables as measures of value, price momentum, profitability, earnings quality, management impact and analyst sentiment. All of the factors used in the Multifactor Model have been shown to significantly impact the performance of the securities, currencies and markets in the forecast universe.
     The weightings assigned to the factors in the Multifactor Model used by the Structured Equity Funds are derived using a statistical formulation that considers each factor’s historical performance, volatility and stability of ranking in different market environments. As such, the Multifactor Model is designed to evaluate each security using factors that are statistically related to returns over the long run. Because it includes many disparate factors, the Investment Adviser believes that the Multifactor Model is broader in scope and provides a more thorough evaluation than traditional investment processes. Securities and markets ranked highest by the Multifactor Model do not have one dominant investment characteristic; rather, they possess an attractive combination of investment characteristics. By using a variety of relevant factors to select securities, currencies or markets, the Investment Adviser believes that the Fund will be better balanced and have more consistent performance than an investment portfolio that uses only one or two factors to select such investments.
     The Investment Adviser will monitor, and may occasionally suggest and make changes to, the method by which securities, currencies or markets are selected for or weighted in a Fund. Such changes (which may be the result of changes in the Multifactor Model or the method of applying the Multifactor Model) may include: (i) evolutionary changes to the structure of the Multifactor Model ( e.g. , the addition of new factors or a new means of weighting the factors); (ii) changes in trading procedures ( e.g. , trading frequency or the manner in which a Fund uses futures); or (iii) changes in the method by which securities, currencies or markets are weighted in a Fund. Any such changes will preserve a Fund’s basic investment philosophy of combining qualitative and quantitative methods of selecting securities using a disciplined investment process.
      Other Information . Since normal settlement for equity investments is three trading days (for certain international markets settlement may be longer), the Funds will need to hold cash balances to satisfy shareholder redemption requests. Such cash balances will normally range from 2% to 5% of a Fund’s net assets. The Structured Equity Funds may enter into futures transactions only with respect to a representative index in order to keep a Fund’s effective equity exposure close to 100%. For example, if cash balances are equal to 5% of the net assets, the Fund may enter into long futures contracts

B-3


 

covering an amount equal to 5% of the Fund’s net assets. As cash balances fluctuate based on new contributions or withdrawals, a Fund may enter into additional contracts or close out existing positions.
      Actively Managed Strategic International Equity Fund. The Strategic International Equity Fund is managed using an active international approach, which utilizes a consistent process of stock selection undertaken by portfolio management teams located within each of the major investment regions, including Europe, Japan, Asia and the United States. In selecting securities, the Investment Adviser uses a bottom-up strategy based on first-hand fundamental research that is designed to give broad exposure to the available opportunities while seeking to add return primarily through stock selection. Equity investments for the Fund are evaluated based on three key factors—the business, the management and the valuation. The Investment Adviser ordinarily seeks securities that have, in the Investment Adviser’s opinion, superior earnings growth potential, sustainable franchise value with management attuned to creating shareholder value and relatively discounted valuations. In addition, the Investment Adviser uses a multi-factor risk model which seeks to ensure that deviations from the benchmark are justifiable.
Additional Information About the Strategic International Equity Fund
     The Strategic International Equity Fund invests, under normal circumstances, substantially all, and at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in equity investments of companies that are organized outside the United States or whose securities are principally traded outside the United States.
     The Strategic International Equity Fund’s Investment Advisor believes that outperformance achieved by investing in companies that demonstrate long-term earnings power, when purchased at attractive prices.
     The Investment Advisor’s Strategic International Equity strategy is defined by a bottom-up, research driven approach to investing that seeks to identify the most attractive investment opportunities from a broad opportunity set and not to restrict itself to investing in only ‘value’ or ‘growth’ stocks. The following strengths are deemed key to the success of this investment strategy:
Extensive resources
    Deep research team : A broad and deep research network comprises 45+ fundamental equity research analysts focused on generating the best investment ideas from around the world for the Strategic International Equity Fund.
 
    Local presence and global perspective : Research analysts are located in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, London, New York, Boston and Mumbai. This local presence ensures that the team conducts the frequency of meetings with company managements necessary to truly understand the businesses, while a familiarity with local languages, traditions and customs facilitates communication and the flow of information and insights from the managements during these meetings.

B-4


 

Team-based approach
    Experienced Portfolio Management team : GSAMI’s International Equity team comprises seven portfolio investment professionals with 15 years’ average investment experience. The team is headed by Mark Beveridge, CFA, who serves as Chief Investment Officer of Non-US Active Equity and has 21 years of investment experience. This depth of experience facilitates effective analysis of potential investment ideas for inclusion in the Concentrated International Equity Fund.
 
    Multiple teams discussing each stock : Investment ideas are first debated within the regional research teams, then presented to the broader research network at the twice-weekly Global Research Calls. Only if an idea is approved for the Buy List do the portfolio managers consider whether it warrants inclusion in the investment portfolio of the Strategic International Equity Fund. This team-based approach enriches debate, strengthens the consistency of the Investment Adviser’s process and enhances the quality of its investment decisions.
Disciplined research
    Focus on long-term earnings power : The International Equity team defines long-term earnings power as the ability of a company to generate strong, sustainable earnings and to create value for shareholders. This concept is critical to how the team thinks about valuation. This focus on companies’ normalized earnings is deemed key to successful stock comparison and selection, and that a long-term view provides the opportunity to uncover mis-priced securities overlooked by the market’s short-term focus.
 
    Common valuation framework : A common valuation framework is used to ensure consistency when research analysts are valuing a company and comparing it to its peers globally, improve the dialogue between analysts and allows the portfolio managers to identify and purchase the best holding in any given industry.
Corporate Debt Obligations
     Each Fund may, under normal market conditions, invest in corporate debt obligations, including obligations of industrial, utility and financial issuers. Corporate debt obligations include bonds, notes, debentures and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal. The Structured Equity Funds may only invest in debt securities that are cash equivalents. Corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as market interest rates, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity.
     An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers of junk bond securities to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of junk bonds will have an adverse effect on a Fund’s net asset value to the extent it invests in such securities. In addition, a Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.
     The secondary market for junk bonds, which is concentrated in relatively few market makers, may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. This reduced liquidity may have

B-5


 

an adverse effect on the ability of the Strategic International Equity Fund to dispose of a particular security when necessary to meet its redemption requests or other liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for junk bonds could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the Investment Advisers could find it difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under such circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating a Fund’s net asset value.
     Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with the medium to lower rated securities of the type in which the Strategic International Equity Fund may invest, the yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the fixed-income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.
     Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from such securities but will be reflected in a Fund’s net asset value.
     Medium to lower rated and comparable non-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as strong as that of other issuers. Since medium to lower rated securities generally involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated securities, investors should consider carefully the relative risks associated with investment in securities which carry medium to lower ratings and in comparable unrated securities. In addition to the risk of default, there are the related costs of recovery on defaulted issues. The Investment Adviser will attempt to reduce these risks through portfolio diversification and by analysis of each issuer and its ability to make timely payments of income and principal, as well as broad economic trends and corporate developments.
     The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, the issuer’s sensitivity to economic conditions, its operating history and the current trend of earnings. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in a Fund’s portfolio and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain corporate debt obligations whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.
Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations
     The Funds may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies.

B-6


 

U.S. Government Securities
     Each Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government Securities (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, (ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation, in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to the U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.
     U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.
     Each Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest and principal of securities program (“STRIPS”). Each Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury Securities and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions which represent a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury Securities. A zero coupon security pays no interest to its holder during its life and its value consists of the difference between its face value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.
Bank Obligations
     Each Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation.
     Banks are subject to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operation of this industry.

B-7


 

Zero Coupon Bonds
     Each Fund’s investments in fixed-income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash. Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by a Fund defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. A Fund will accrue income on such investments for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the Fund’s distribution obligations.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
     The interest rates payable on certain fixed-income securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.
Custodial Receipts and Trust Certificates
     Each Fund may invest in custodial receipts and trust certificates, which may be underwritten by securities dealers or banks, representing interests in securities held by a custodian or trustee. The securities so held may include U.S. Government securities, municipal securities or other types of securities in which the Funds may invest. The custodial receipts or trust certificates are underwritten by securities dealers or banks and may evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on the underlying securities, or, in some cases, the payment obligation of a third party that has entered into an interest rate swap or other arrangement with the custodian or trustee. For certain securities laws purposes, custodial receipts and trust certificates may not be considered obligations of the U.S. Government or other issuer of the securities held by the custodian or trustee. As a holder of custodial receipts and trust certificates, the Funds will bear their proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to the custodial account or trust. The Funds may also invest in separately issued interests in custodial receipts and trust certificates.
     Although under the terms of a custodial receipt or trust certificate the Funds would be typically authorized to assert their rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, the Funds could be required to assert through the custodian bank or trustee those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event an underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, the Funds may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Funds had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or

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custodial account in which the underlying securities have been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying securities would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.
     Certain custodial receipts and trust certificates may be synthetic or derivative instruments that have interest rates that reset inversely to changing short-term rates and/or have embedded interest rate floors and caps that require the issuer to pay an adjusted interest rate if market rates fall below or rise above a specified rate. Because some of these instruments represent relatively recent innovations, and the trading market for these instruments is less developed than the markets for traditional types of instruments, it is uncertain how these instruments will perform under different economic and interest-rate scenarios. Also, because these instruments may be leveraged, their market values may be more volatile than other types of fixed income instruments and may present greater potential for capital gain or loss. The possibility of default by an issuer or the issuer’s credit provider may be greater for these derivative instruments than for other types of instruments. In some cases, it may be difficult to determine the fair value of a derivative instrument because of a lack of reliable objective information and an established secondary market for some instruments may not exist. In many cases, the Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on the tax treatment of the interest or payments received on the derivative instruments and, accordingly, purchases of such instruments are based on the opinion of counsel to the sponsors of the instruments.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
      General Characteristics. The Strategic International Equity Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Each mortgage pool underlying mortgage-backed securities consists of mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multifamily ( i.e. , five or more) properties, agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the “Mortgaged Properties”). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units, multifamily dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, row houses, individual units in planned unit developments and other attached dwelling units. The Mortgaged Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes.
     The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed-income securities. The major differences include the payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule, and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed-income securities. As a result, if the Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity and market value. Conversely, if the Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce yield to maturity and market values. To the extent that the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities, its Investment Adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by investing in a variety of mortgage-backed securities and by using certain hedging techniques.

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      Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities. There are several types of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (“REMIC Certificates”), other collateralized mortgage obligations and stripped mortgage-backed securities. The Fund is permitted to invest in other types of mortgage-backed securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.
     The Fund’s investments in mortgage-backed securities may include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a result, they are generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low credit risks. From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in Congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals, if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and the Fund’s liquidity and value.
     There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The Fund may purchase U.S. Government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as those issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.
      Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA Loans”), or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA Loans”), or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the United States Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due on Ginnie Mae certificates.
      Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered under an act of the United States Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae Certificates are issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans (a “Pool”) formed by Fannie Mae. Each Pool consists of residential mortgage loans (“Mortgage Loans”) either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the formation of the Pool. The Mortgage Loans may be either conventional Mortgage Loans ( i.e. , not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency) or Mortgage Loans that are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration (“VA”). However, the Mortgage Loans in Fannie Mae Pools are primarily

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conventional Mortgage Loans. The lenders originating and servicing the Mortgage Loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.
     Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie Mae’s servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full principal balance of any foreclosed Mortgage Loan, whether or not such principal balance is actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae.
      Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. Government sponsored enterprise. The principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first lien, conventional, residential mortgage loans and participation interests in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form of mortgage securities, primarily Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a “Freddie Mac Certificate group”) purchased by Freddie Mac.
     Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also guarantees to each registered Certificate holder an ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac.
     The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.
      Conventional Mortgage Loans. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.
      Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. The Strategic International Equity Fund may invest in both government guaranteed and privately issued mortgage pass-through securities (“Mortgage Pass-Throughs”); that is, fixed or adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities which provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. The seller or servicer of the underlying mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to

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certificate holders as to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of certain information furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach of any representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related certificate holders in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer may be obligated either to cure the breach in all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the related agreement so provides, to substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the conditions set forth therein. Such a repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole remedy available to the related certificate holders or the trustee for the material breach of any such representation or warranty by the seller or servicer.
     The following discussion describes only a few of the wide variety of structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.
      Description of Certificates. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.
     Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or disproportionate basis, or any combination thereof. The stated interest rate on any such subclass of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an objective interest index.
     Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Since certain adjustable rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest ( i.e. , negative amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.
      Ratings. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs address the likelihood of the receipt of all distributions on the underlying mortgage loans by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are issued. A rating organization’s ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organization’s ratings on such certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a

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rating organization to a certificate may not address the remote possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such certificates may be affected.
      Credit Enhancement. Mortgage pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher yield than government and government-related pools because of the absence of direct or indirect government or agency payment guarantees. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, mortgage pass-throughs may contain elements of credit support. Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages, the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.
      Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund. In order to achieve ratings on one or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate-holders. If so structured, the subordination feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (“shifting interest credit enhancement”). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the subordinate certificates. In addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal prepayments on the mortgage loans may have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.
     In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such certificates (the “Reserve Fund”). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a specified amount.
     The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest due them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary shortfalls could result. In the event the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent

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of the then outstanding subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero, on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses realized with respect to the mortgage loans (“Realized Losses”). Realized Losses remaining after application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero, Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.
      Alternative Credit Enhancement. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be provided by mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, by the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances, such as where credit enhancement is provided by guarantees or a letter of credit, the security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to an external credit enhancement provider.
      Voluntary Advances. Generally, in the event of delinquencies in payments on the mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer agrees to make advances of cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but generally will do so only to the extent that it determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the mortgage loans or otherwise.
      Optional Termination. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time if the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.
      Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. The Strategic International Equity Fund may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class mortgage-backed securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple class mortgage-backed securities.
     Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.
     Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a PC pool. With respect to

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principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of principal of certain PCs.
     CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of multiple class mortgage-backed securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (the “Mortgage Assets”). The obligations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively.
     CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.
     The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.
     Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.
     A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes or REMIC Certificates (the “PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

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Asset-Backed Securities
     The Strategic International Equity Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit enhancements may be present.
     Such securities are often subject to more rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, a Fund’s ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time. To the extent that a Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of such Fund’s portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.
     Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. 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 a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the securities.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
     Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts. The Structured Equity Funds may only enter into such transactions with respect to a representative index. The Strategic International Equity Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. Each Fund may engage in futures and related options transactions in order to seek to increase total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent a Fund invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure, sector selection and

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duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Each Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the Funds.
     Futures contracts entered into by a Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) or with respect to certain funds, on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC, or on foreign exchanges.
     Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these reasons, a Fund’s investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular, persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTC’s regulations and the rules of the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, those persons may not have the protection of the United States securities laws.
      Futures Contracts . A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
     When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, a Fund can seek through the sale of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities. When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, a Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the Strategic International Equity Fund can purchase and sell futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, the Strategic International Equity Fund can purchase futures contracts on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in such currency that such Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, certain Funds may enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.

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     Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While a Fund will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner, a Fund may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.
      Hedging Strategies . Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price, rate of return or currency exchange rate on portfolio securities or securities that a Fund owns or proposes to acquire. A Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in market prices or (other than the Structured Equity Funds) foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of such Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, the Strategic International Equity Fund may sell futures contracts on a currency in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies. If, in the opinion of the applicable Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for a Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, a Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of a hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in a Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Investment Advisers will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having a Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting a Fund’s portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.
     On other occasions, a Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing such futures contracts. This may be done, for example, when a Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.
      Options on Futures Contracts . The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give a Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, a Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
     The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of a Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, a Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that a Fund intends to purchase. However, a Fund

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becomes obligated (upon the exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by a Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. A Fund will incur transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
     The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
      Other Considerations . A Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in certain cases, require the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets. A Fund may cover its transactions in futures contracts and related options through the segregation of cash or liquid assets or by other means, in any manner permitted by applicable law.
     While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for a Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and a Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.
     Perfect correlation between a Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be difficult to achieve, particularly where futures contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed-income securities are currently not available. In addition, it is not possible for a Fund to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability of a Fund’s trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Advisers to analyze correctly the futures markets.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
      Writing Covered Options. Each Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities in which it may invest. A call option written by a Fund obligates such Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised on or before the expiration date. Depending upon the type of call option, the purchaser of a call option either (i) has the right to any appreciation in the value of the security over a fixed price (the “exercise price”) on a certain date in the future (the “expiration date”) or (ii) has the right to any appreciation in the value of the security over the exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. If the purchaser does not exercise the option, a Fund pays the purchaser the difference between the price of the security

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and the exercise price of the option. The premium, the exercise price and the market value of the security determine the gain or loss realized by a Fund as the seller of the call option. A Fund can also repurchase the call option prior to the expiration date, ending its obligation. In this case, the cost of entering into closing purchase transactions will determine the gain or loss realized by the Fund. All call options written by a Fund are covered, which means that such Fund will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or such Fund will use the other methods described below. A Fund’s purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, a Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the underlying security.
     A put option written by a Fund would obligate such Fund to purchase specified securities from the option holder at a specified price if, depending upon the type of put option, either (i) the option is exercised at any time on or before the expiration date or (ii) the option is exercised on the expiration date. All put options written by a Fund would be covered, which means that such Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put option (less any margin on deposit) or will use the other methods described below. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the option premium, each Fund accepts the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the securities’ market value at the time of purchase.
     In the case of a call option, the option is “covered” if a Fund owns the instrument underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call option is also covered if a Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference. A Fund may also cover options on securities by segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any margin on deposit, that is equal to the market value of the securities in the case of a call option. A put option is also covered if a Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
     A Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
     A Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration which has been segregated by the Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio. A Fund may also cover call and put options on a securities index by segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any margin on deposit, that is equal to the market value of the underlying securities in the case of a call option, or the exercise price in the case of a put option, or by owning offsetting options as described above.

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     A Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”
      Purchasing Options. Each Fund may purchase put and call options on any securities in which it may invest or options on any securities index comprised of securities in which it may invest. A Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, purchase put and call options on foreign currencies. A Fund may also enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.
     A Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
     A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of securities in its portfolio (“protective puts”) or in securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of a Fund’s securities. Put options may also be purchased by a Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it does not own. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise such a Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the underlying portfolio securities.
     A Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities indices, see “Writing Covered Options” above.
      Risks Associated with Options Transactions . There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.
     Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions

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may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
     There can be no assurance that higher trading activity, order flow or other unforeseen events might, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation or various exchanges inadequate. Such events have, in the past, resulted in the institution by an exchange of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of order or trading halts or suspensions with respect to one or more options. These special procedures may limit liquidity. A Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations.
     Transactions by each Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facility or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which a Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Investment Advisers. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
     The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation between the securities or securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the securities in a Fund’s investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise incur. The writing of options could increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and, therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
     Each Fund may invest in shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are pooled investment vehicles which invest primarily in real estate or real estate related loans. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity

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REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as the Funds, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by a Fund.
     Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to qualify for the exemption from tax for distributed income under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from the Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks.
Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
     Each Fund may invest in warrants or rights (in addition to those acquired in units or attached to other securities) which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. A Fund will invest in warrants and rights only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser for investment by the Fund. The Structured Equity Funds have no present intention of acquiring warrants or rights. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Foreign Securities
     Each Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. The Strategic International Equity Fund will invest primarily in foreign securities under normal circumstances. With respect to the Structured Equity Funds, equity securities of foreign issuers must be traded in the United States.
     Investments in foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments solely in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may include the opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of the applicable Investment Adviser, to offer the opportunity for potential long-term growth of capital and income, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or business cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to take advantage of foreign stock markets that do not necessarily move in a manner parallel to U.S. markets.
     Investing in foreign securities involves certain special risks, including those discussed in the Funds’ Prospectuses and those set forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly, a Fund that invests in foreign securities may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Strategic International Equity Fund may be subject to currency exposure independent of its securities positions. To the extent that a Fund is

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fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining currency positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.
     Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the failure to intervene or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
     Since foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although each Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.
     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when some of a Fund’s assets are uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movement of funds and other assets between different countries, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect a Fund’s investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
     Each Fund may invest in foreign securities which take the form of sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and (except for the Structured Equity Funds) may also invest in European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers (together, “Depositary Receipts”).
     ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs are traded on domestic exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in registered form. EDRs and GDRs are receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-

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U.S. bank similar to that for ADRs and are designed for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying security.
     To the extent a Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may be an increased possibility that the Fund would not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the Depositary Receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, a Fund may avoid currency risks during the settlement period for purchases and sales.
     As described more fully below, the Strategic International Equity Fund may invest in countries with emerging economies or securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See “Investing in Emerging Markets, including Asia and Eastern Europe,” below.
      Investing in Emerging Countries, including Asia and Eastern Europe . Strategic International Equity Fund is intended for long-term investors who can accept the risks associated with investing primarily in equity and equity-related securities of foreign issuers, including emerging country issuers, as well as the risks associated with investments quoted or denominated in foreign currencies.
     The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S. securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such countries are not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.
     Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of developed countries. The limited size of

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many of these securities markets can cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect the Strategic International Equity Fund’s ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.
     With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may have an adverse impact on the Strategic International Equity Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.
     Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition, existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law.
     Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit a Fund’s investment in certain emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified percentage of an issuer’s outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operation of a Fund. A Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.
     Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making, including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Strategic International Equity Fund may invest and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s assets. A Fund’s investments can also be adversely affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.

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     The Strategic International Equity Fund may seek investment opportunities within former “east bloc” countries in Eastern Europe. Most Eastern European countries had a centrally planned, socialist economy for a substantial period of time. The governments of many Eastern European countries have more recently been implementing reforms directed at political and economic liberalization, including efforts to decentralize the economic decision-making process and move towards a market economy. However, business entities in many Eastern European countries do not have an extended history of operating in a market-oriented economy, and the ultimate impact of Eastern European countries’ attempts to move toward more market-oriented economies is currently unclear. In addition, any change in the leadership or policies of Eastern European countries may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.
     The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past, and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.
     The Strategic International Equity Fund’s income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise applicable tax rates. See “Taxation.”
     Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Strategic International Equity Fund remain uninvested and no return is earned on such assets. The inability of the Strategic International Equity Fund to make intended security purchases or sales due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
      Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts . The Structured Equity Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. The Strategic International Equity Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes, to seek to protect against anticipated changes in future foreign currency exchange rates and to seek to increase total return. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.

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     At the maturity of a forward contract a Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract.
     A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances. First, when a Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or quoted in a foreign currency, or when a Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions, the Fund will attempt to protect itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the date on which such payments are made or received.
     Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of such Fund’s portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward contracts to protect the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange, which a Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of a Fund’s foreign assets.
     Each Fund may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency. In addition, certain Funds may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation between a Fund’s overall currency exposures and the currency exposures of a Fund’s performance benchmark.
     The Strategic International Equity Fund may also enter into forward contracts to seek to increase total return. Unless otherwise covered in accordance with applicable regulations, cash or liquid assets of the Strategic International Equity Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. If the value of the segregated assets declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated so that the value of the assets will equal the amount of the Strategic International Equity Fund’s commitments with respect to such contracts.
     While a Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks, transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it

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had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between a Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by such Fund. Such imperfect correlation may cause a Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.
     Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations. Since a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive a Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. A Fund will not enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps or other privately negotiated currency instruments unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent that a substantial portion of a Fund’s total assets, adjusted to reflect the Fund’s net position after giving effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries, the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within those countries.
      Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options. A Fund may, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, write and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and when a Fund seeks to close out an option, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the event of exchange rate movements adverse to a Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
     Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when the Investment Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not included in the Fund’s portfolio.
     A call option written by a Fund obligates a Fund to sell a specified currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A put option written by a Fund would obligate a Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. The writing of currency options involves a risk that a Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currency’s market value or be required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currency’s market value. Written put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered

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in a manner similar to written put and call options on securities and securities indices described under “Writing Covered Options” above.
     A Fund may terminate its obligations under a call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.” A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options purchased by the Fund.
     A Fund may purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by a Fund are quoted or denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
     A Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (“protective puts”). The purchase of a put option would entitle a Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is usually designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the dollar value of a Fund’s portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. A Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of underlying currency or portfolio securities.
     As noted, in addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, the Funds may use options on currency to seek to increase total return. The Funds may write (sell) covered put and call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, the Funds may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying currency. Also, when writing put options, the Funds accept, in return for the option premium, the risk that they may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the currency’s market value at the time of purchase.
      Special Risks Associated with Options on Currency. An exchange-traded options position may be closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although a Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If a Fund as a covered call option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency), or

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dispose of the segregated assets, until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency upon exercise.
     There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customers’ orders.
     A Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or written by a Fund.
     The amount of the premiums, which a Fund may pay or receive, may be adversely affected as new or existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option purchasing and writing activities.
Currency Swaps
     The Strategic International Equity Fund may enter into currency swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. Currency swaps involve the exchange by the Strategic International Equity Fund with another party of their respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies.
     A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of a gross payment stream in one designated currency in exchange for the gross payment stream in another designated currency. Therefore, the entire payment stream under a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. To the extent that the Fund’s exposure in a transaction involving a swap is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or otherwise, the Funds and the Investment Advisers believe that swaps do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.
     A Fund will not enter into transactions involving swaps unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser.
     The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If an Investment Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange rates, the investment performance of a Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if this investment technique were not used. The Investment Advisers, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, are responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds’ transactions in swaps.

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Convertible Securities
     Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest that is generally paid or accrued on debt or a dividend that is paid or accrued on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Convertible securities have unique investment characteristics, in that they generally (i) have higher yields than common stocks, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities, (ii) are less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying common stock due to their fixed-income characteristics and (iii) provide the potential for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.
     The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The investment value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value normally declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security generally will sell at a premium over its conversion value by the extent to which investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed-income security.
     A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective, which, in turn, could result in losses to the Fund.
     In evaluating a convertible security, the Investment Adviser will give primary emphasis to the attractiveness of the underlying common stock. Convertible debt securities are equity investments for purposes of each Fund’s investment policies.
Preferred Securities
     Each Fund may invest in preferred securities. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a covenant default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with the terms of the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default or non-compliance by the issuer, preferred

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stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on the issuer’s board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition, preferred stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the occurrence of any event of default.
Equity Swaps
     Each Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Equity swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would have increased in value had it been invested in particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap contract plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on the equity swap contract should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different stocks (or indices of stocks).
     A Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally limited to the net amount of payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an equity swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid assets to cover the Funds’ exposure, the Funds and their Investment Advisers believe that transactions do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to a Fund’s borrowing restrictions.
     A Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. A Fund’s ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited by tax considerations.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
     Each Fund may lend portfolio securities. Under present regulatory policies, such loans may be made to institutions, such as brokers or dealers (including Goldman Sachs), and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities maintained on a current basis at an amount, marked to market daily, at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash received as collateral for securities lending transactions may be invested in

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short-term investments. Investing the collateral subjects it to market depreciation or appreciation, and a Fund is responsible for any loss that may result from its investment of the borrowed collateral. A Fund will have the right to terminate a loan at any time and recall the loaned securities within the normal and customary settlement time for securities transactions. For the duration of the loan, a Fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and will also receive compensation from investment of the collateral. A Fund will not have the right to vote any securities having voting rights during the existence of the loan, but a Fund may call the loan in anticipation of an important vote to be taken by the holders of the securities or the giving or withholding of their consent on a material matter affecting the investment. As with other extensions of credit there are risks of delay in recovering, or even loss of rights in, the collateral and loaned securities should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, the loans will be made only to firms deemed to be of good standing, and when the consideration which can be earned currently from securities loans of this type is deemed to justify the attendant risk. In determining whether to lend securities to a particular borrower, and during the period of the loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower will be considered and monitored. It is intended that the value of securities loaned by a Fund will not exceed one-third of the value of a Fund’s total assets (including the loan collateral). Loan collateral (including any investment of the collateral) is not subject to the percentage limitations stated elsewhere in this Additional Statement or the Prospectuses regarding investing in fixed-income securities and cash equivalents.
     The Funds’ Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program and adopted policies and procedures relating thereto. Under the securities lending program, the Funds have retained an affiliate of the Investment Adviser to serve as the securities lending agent for the Funds. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, the Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions. The lending agent may, on behalf of the Funds, invest cash collateral received by the Funds for securities loans in, among other things, other registered or unregistered funds. These funds include private investing funds or money market funds that are managed by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for the purpose of investing cash collateral generated from securities lending activities, and which pay the Investment Adviser or its affiliates for their services. The Funds’ Board of Trustees will periodically review securities loan transactions for which the Goldman Sachs affiliate has acted as lending agent for compliance with a Fund’s securities lending procedures. Goldman Sachs also has been approved as a borrower under the Funds’ securities lending program, subject to certain conditions.
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments
     Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis beyond the customary settlement time. These transactions involve a commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities at a future date. The price of the underlying securities (usually expressed in terms of yield) and the date when the securities will be delivered and paid for (the settlement date) are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. When-issued purchases and forward commitment transactions are negotiated directly with the other party, and such commitments are not traded on exchanges. A Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued basis or purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis only with the intention of completing the transaction and actually purchasing or selling the securities. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or negotiate a commitment after entering into it. A Fund may also sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the

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settlement date. A Fund may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with these transactions. For purposes of determining a Fund’s duration, the maturity of when-issued or forward commitment securities will be calculated from the commitment date. A Fund is generally required to segregate, until three days prior to the settlement date, cash and liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price unless the Fund’s obligations are otherwise covered. Alternatively, a Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date.
Investment in Unseasoned Companies
     Each Fund may invest in companies (including predecessors) which have operated less than three years. The securities of such companies may have limited liquidity, which can result in their being priced higher or lower than might otherwise be the case. In addition, investments in unseasoned companies are more speculative and entail greater risk than do investments in companies with an established operating record.
Other Investment Companies
     A Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in the securities of other investment companies (including exchange-traded funds such as Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts in (“SPDRs”) and iShares sm , as defined below) but, except as otherwise provided in the Act, may neither invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company nor acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company. Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC, the Funds may invest in money market funds for which an Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the management fees (and other expenses) paid by the Fund. However, to the extent that the Fund invests in a money market fund for which an Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates acts as Investment Adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to an Investment Adviser will, to the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Fund’s proportionate share of the management fees paid by such money market fund to its Investment Adviser. Although the Funds do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, each Fund is authorized to invest substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.
     Exchange-traded funds are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System. SPDRs are interests in a unit investment trust (“UIT”) that may be obtained from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market (SPDRs are listed on a stock exchange). The UIT was established to accumulate and hold a portfolio of common stocks that is intended to track the price performance and dividend yield of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the “S&P 500”). SPDRs may be used for several reasons, including, but not limited to, facilitating the handling of cash flows or trading or reducing

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transaction costs. The price movement of SPDRs may not perfectly parallel the price activity of the S&P 500. The UIT will issue SPDRs in aggregations known as “Creation Units” in exchange for a “Portfolio Deposit” consisting of (i) a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities (“Index Securities”) of the S&P 500, (ii) a cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the dividends accrued on the UIT’s portfolio securities since the last dividend payment by the UIT, net of expenses and liabilities, and (iii) a cash payment or credit (“Balancing Amount”) designed to equalize the net asset value of the S&P 500 and the net asset value of a Portfolio Deposit.
     SPDRs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, an investor must accumulate enough SPDRs to reconstitute a Creation Unit. The liquidity of small holdings of SPDRs, therefore, will depend upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a Creation Unit, an investor will receive Index Securities and cash identical to the Portfolio Deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a Creation Unit that day.
     The price of SPDRs is derived from and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a SPDR is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for SPDRs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying SPDRs purchased or sold by the Funds could result in losses on SPDRs.
     The Strategic International Equity Fund may also purchase shares of investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign countries or regions. Each Fund may, subject to the limitations stated above, invest in iShares sm and similar securities that invest in securities included in specified indices, including the MSCI ® indices for various countries and regions. iShares sm are listed on a stock exchange and were initially offered to the public in 1996. The market prices of iShares sm are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the asset values of their underlying indices and supply and demand of iShares sm on the exchange on which the iShares sm are listed. However, iShares sm have a limited operating history and information is lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of iShares sm for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of a stock exchange necessary to maintain the listing of iShares sm will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting iShares sm should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of a Fund’s shares could also be substantially and adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, a Fund could be required to reconsider the use of iShares sm as part of its investment strategy.
Repurchase Agreements
     Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers and securities dealers which furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase obligation. The Strategic International Equity Fund may also enter into repurchase agreements involving certain foreign government securities. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which a Fund purchases securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a particular time and at a specified price. Custody of the securities is maintained by a Fund’s custodian (or subcustodian). The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Fund together with

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the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund is unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.
     For purposes of the Act and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan from a Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear whether a court would consider the security purchased by a Fund subject to a repurchase agreement as being owned by a Fund or as being collateral for a loan by a Fund to the seller. In the event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, a Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a loan and a Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, a Fund may be required to return the security to the seller’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured creditor, a Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.
     Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest), a Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements will be regarded as liquid instruments.
     The Funds, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with the Investment Advisers or their affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
Short Sales
     The Strategic International Equity Fund may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the seller sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. While a short sale is made by selling a security the seller does not own, a short sale is “against the box” to the extent that the seller contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short. It may be entered into by the Fund, for example, to lock in a sales price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If the Fund sells securities short against the box, it may protect itself from loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such securities if the price rises.
     If the Strategic International Equity Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.

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Portfolio Turnover
     Each Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from price disparities among different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons. It is anticipated that the portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Funds to receive favorable tax treatment. The Funds are not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in their investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices may dictate.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
     The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental policies that cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund. The investment objective of each Fund and all other investment policies or practices of each Fund are considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder approval. For purposes of the Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or a Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares of the Trust or a Fund.
     For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, a Fund. With respect to the Funds’ fundamental investment restriction no. 3, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.
    As a matter of fundamental policy, a Fund may not:
(1)   Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a diversified company under the Act.
(2)   Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities).
(3)   Borrow money, except (a) each Fund may to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow from banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies and other persons or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (b) each Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (c) each Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (d) each Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law and (e) each Fund may engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings.

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(4)   Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, (c) loans of securities as permitted by applicable law, and (d) loans to affiliates of the Funds to the extent permitted by law.
(5)   Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting.
(6)   Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although a Fund may purchase and sell securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and may hold and sell real estate acquired by a Fund as a result of the ownership of securities.
(7)   Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in currency and financial instruments and contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts.
 
(8)   Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.
     Each Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.
     In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees without approval of shareholders. Again, for purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition of securities by the Fund.
    A Fund may not:
(a)   Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
(b)   Invest more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets in illiquid investments including illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days, securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”).
(c)   Purchase additional securities if the Fund’s borrowings (excluding covered mortgage dollar rolls) exceed 5% of its net assets.
(d)   Make short sales of securities, except that a Fund may make short sales against the box.

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
     The business and affairs of the Funds are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust. The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of general policy and reviewing the actions of the Trust’s service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise each Fund’s daily business operations.
      Trustees of the Trust
     Information pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Act are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Trustees who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Trust are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”
                         
Independent Trustees
        Term of       Number of    
        Office and       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Length of       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age 1   the Trust 2   Served 3   During Past 5 Years   Trustee 4   Held by Trustee 5
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 64
  Chairman of the Board of Trustees   Since 1991   President, ABN Associates (July 1994–March 1996 and November 1998–Present); Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer, Coty Inc. (manufacturer of fragrances and cosmetics) (April 1996–November 1998); Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company (1984–1999); Trustee of International House of Philadelphia (program center and residential community for students and professional trainees from the United States and foreign countries) (1989-2004); Member of Cornell University Council (1992-2004); Trustee of the Walnut Street Theater (1992-2004); Trustee, Scholarship America (1998-2005); Trustee, Institute for Higher Education Policy (2003-Present); Director, Private Equity Investors–III and IV (November 1998-Present), and Equity-Limited Investors II (April 2002-Present); and Chairman, Lenders Service Inc. (provider of mortgage lending services) (2000-2003).     77     None
 
                       
 
          Chairman of the Board of Trustees – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 65
  Trustee   Since 2003   Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP (June 1975 – May 2003). Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).     77     None

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Independent Trustees
        Term of       Number of    
        Office and       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Length of       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age 1   the Trust 2   Served 3   During Past 5 Years   Trustee 4   Held by Trustee 5
Patrick T. Harker
Age: 47
  Trustee   Since 2000   Dean and Reliance Professor of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (February 2000-Present); Interim and Deputy Dean, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1999-January 2000); and Professor and Chairman of Department of Operations and Information Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (July 1997–August 2000).     77     None
 
                       
 
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Mary P. McPherson
Age: 71
  Trustee   Since 1997   Vice President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (provider of grants for conservation, environmental and educational purposes) (October 1997-Present); Director, Smith College (1998-Present); Director, Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (health educational programs) (1977-Present); Director, Philadelphia Contributionship (insurance) (1985-Present); Director Emeritus, Amherst College (1986–1998); Director, The Spencer Foundation (educational research) (1993-February 2003); member of PNC Advisory Board (banking) (1993-1998); Director, American School of Classical Studies in Athens (1997-Present); and, Trustee, Emeriti Retirement Health Solutions (post-retirement medical insurance program for not-for-profit institutions) (since 2005).     77     None
 
                       
 
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 67
  Trustee   Since 1987   Vice Chairman and Director, Cardean Learning Group (provider of educational services via the internet) (2003-Present); President, COO and Director, Cardean Learning Group (1999-2003); Director, Cantilever Technologies, Inc. (a private software company) (1999-2005); Trustee, The University of Chicago (1987-Present); and Managing Director, Tandem Partners, Inc. (management services firm) (1990–1999). Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).     77     Gildan Activewear Inc. (a clothing marketing and manufacturing company); Cardean Learning Group (provider of educational services via the internet); Northern Mutual Fund Complex (58 Portfolios).

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Interested Trustee
        Term of       Number of    
        Office and       Portfolios in    
    Position(s)   Length of       Fund Complex    
Name,   Held with   Time   Principal Occupation(s)   Overseen by   Other Directorships
Address and Age 1   the Trust 2   Served 3   During Past 5 Years   Trustee 4   Held by Trustee 5
*Alan A. Shuch
Age: 56
  Trustee   Since 1990   Advisory Director – GSAM (May 1999-Present); Consultant to GSAM (December 1994 – May 1999); and Limited Partner, Goldman Sachs (December 1994 — May 1999).     77     None
 
                       
 
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).            
 
                       
 
*   Mr. Shuch is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he holds a position with Goldman Sachs and owns securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. Shuch also holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
 
1   Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, One New York Plaza, 37 th Floor, New York, New York, 10004, Attn: Peter V. Bonanno.
 
2   The Trust is a successor to a Massachusetts business trust that was combined with the Trust on April 30, 1997.
 
3   Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (c) the date the Trustee attains the age of 72 years (in accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.
 
4   The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of August 31, 2006, the Trust consisted of 65 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 12 portfolios.
 
5   This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the Act.

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Officers of the Trust
     Information pertaining to the officers of the Trust is set forth below.
             
Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address   Trust   Time Served 1   During Past 5 Years
Kaysie P. Uniacke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 45
  President
  Since 2002

  Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (1997-Present).

President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
 
          Trustee – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2001-2006).
 
           
 
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (1997–2002) (registered investment companies).
 
           
 
          Trustee – Gettysburg College.
 
           
John M. Perlowski
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 41
  Treasurer   Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November 2003 – Present) and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 1995-November 2003).

Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 44
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 1997   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992-Present).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Peter Fortner
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 48
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2000   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance Company of America (November 1985–June 2000); and Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds administered by Prudential (1999 and 2000).
 
          Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kenneth G. Curran
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998-Present); and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants) (August 1995–October 1998).

Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address   Trust   Time Served 1   During Past 5 Years
Charles Rizzo
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 48
  Assistant
Treasurer
  Since 2005   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2005–Present); Managing Director and Treasurer of Scudder Funds, Deutsche Asset Management (April 2003–June 2005); Director, Tax and Financial Reporting, Deutsche Asset Management (August 2002–April 2003); Vice President and Treasurer, Deutsche Global Fund Services (August 1999–August 2002).
 
           
 
          Assistant Treasurer – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James A. Fitzpatrick
71 South Wacker Drive
Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 46
  Vice
President
  Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (October 1999– Present); and Vice President of GSAM (April 1997–December 1999).

Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Jesse Cole
71 South Wacker Drive
Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 43
  Vice
President
  Since 1998   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2006– Present); Vice President, GSAM (June 1998-Present); and Vice President, AIM Management Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996–June 1998).
 
          Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Kerry K. Daniels
71 South Wacker Drive
Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 43
  Vice
President
  Since 2000   Manager, Financial Control – Shareholder Services, Goldman Sachs (1986-Present).
Vice President – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
James McNamara
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 44
  Vice
President
  Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 1998-Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales, GSAM (April 1998–December 2000); and Senior Vice President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation (January 1993 – April 1998).
 
 
          Vice President—Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
 
          Trustee –– Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (December 2002-May 2004).

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Officers of the Trust
    Position(s)        
    Held   Term of Office    
Name, Age   With the   and Length of   Principal Occupation(s)
And Address   Trust   Time Served 1   During Past 5 Years
Peter V. Bonanno
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 37
  Secretary   Since 2003   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2006– Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2002–Present); Vice President (1999-2006); and Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (1999-2002).
 
          Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Dave Fishman
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 42
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2001–Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997–December 2001).
 
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Danny Burke
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 43
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 2001   Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987–Present).

Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
           
Elizabeth D. Anderson
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
Age: 37
  Assistant
Secretary
  Since 1997   Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December 2002 – Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-December 2002) and Fund Manager, GSAM (April 1996–Present).
 
          Assistant Secretary – Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies).
 
1   Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
Standing Board Committees
     The Board of Trustees has established seven standing committees in connection with their governance of the Funds – Audit, Governance and Nominating, Compliance, Valuation, Dividend, Schedule E, and Contract Review.
     The Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the entire Board of Trustees an independent registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year, and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006.

B-45


 

     The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (i) assist the Board of Trustees in matters involving mutual fund governance and industry practices; (ii) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election to serve as Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or its investment adviser or distributor (as defined by the Act); and (iii) advise the Board of Trustees on ways to improve its effectiveness. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006. As stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its mailing address stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses and should be directed to the attention of the Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.
     The Compliance Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the compliance processes: (i) of the Funds; and (ii) insofar as they relate to services provided to the Funds, of the Funds’ investment advisers, distributor, administrator (if any), and transfer agent, except that compliance processes relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes, and certain related matters, are overseen by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Compliance Committee provides assistance to the full Board of Trustees with respect to compliance matters. The Compliance Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Compliance Committee.
     The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board of Trustees in connection with the valuation of portfolio securities held by the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s Valuation Procedures. The sole member of the Valuation Committee is Mr. Shuch. The Valuation Committee met twelve times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006.
     The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with each Fund’s Prospectus. Currently, the sole member of the Trust’s Dividend Committee is Mr. Shuch. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006, the Dividend Committee held six meetings with respect to all of the Funds of the Trust.
     The Schedule E Committee is authorized to address potential conflicts of interest regulated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”). The sole member of the Trust’s Schedule E Committee is Mr. Bakhru. The Schedule E Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006.
     The Contract Review Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the processes of the Board of Trustees for approving and monitoring the Funds’ investment management, distribution, transfer agency and other agreements with the Fund’s Investment Advisers and their affiliates. The Contract Review Committee is also responsible for overseeing the Board of Trustees processes for approving and reviewing the operation of the Funds’ distribution, service, shareholder

B-46


 

administration and other plans, and any agreements related to the plans, whether or not such plans and agreements are adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Contract Review Committee also provides appropriate assistance to the Board of Trustees in connection with the Board’s approval, oversight and review of the Funds’ other service providers including, without limitation, the Funds’ custodian/accounting agent, sub-transfer agents, professional (legal and accounting) firms and printing firms. The Contract Review Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Contract Review Committee.
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
     The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Funds and other portfolios of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.
                 
            Aggregate Dollar Range of
            Equity Securities in All
    Dollar Range of   Portfolios in Fund Complex
Name of Trustee   Equity Securities in the Funds 1   Overseen By Trustee 2
Ashok N. Bakhru
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
Patrick T. Harker
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
Mary P. McPherson
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
Alan A. Shuch
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
Richard P. Strubel
  None   Over $100,000
 
               
 
1   The Funds were not in operation as of December 31, 2006.
 
2   Includes Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. As of December 31, 2006, Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 65 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 12 portfolios.
     As of December 31, 2006 the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

B-47


 

Board Compensation
     The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee for his or her services as a Trustee of the Trust, plus an additional fee for each regular and special telephonic Board meeting, Governance and Nominating Committee meeting, Compliance Committee meeting, Contract Review Committee meeting and Audit Committee meeting attended by such Trustee. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the investment company industry.
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006:
Trustee Compensation
                         
            Pension or    
            Retirement    
    Aggregate   Benefits Accrued as   Total Compensation
    Compensation   Part of the Trust’s   From Fund Complex
Name of Trustee   from the Funds*   Expenses   (including the Funds) 2
Ashok N. Bakhru 1
  $ 0           $ 255,400  
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
    0             177,000  
Patrick T. Harker
    0             169,000  
Mary P. McPherson
    0             177,000  
Alan A. Shuch
    0              
Wilma J. Smelcer 3
    0             177,000  
Richard P. Strubel
    0             177,000  
Kaysie P. Uniacke 3
    0              
 
*   The Funds were not in operation as of August 31, 2006.
 
1   Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
 
2   The Fund Complex consists of Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.
 
3   Effective January 1, 2007, Ms. Smelcer and Ms. Uniacke resigned from the Board of Trustees.
Goldman Sachs Trust consisted of 64 portfolios and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 12 portfolios as of August 31, 2006.
Miscellaneous
     Class A Shares of the Funds may be sold at net asset value without payment of any sales charge to Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above individuals. These and the Funds’ other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.

B-48


 

     The Trust, its Investment Advisers and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
     As stated in the Funds’ Prospectuses, GSAM, 32 Old Slip, New York, New York, 10005 serves as Investment Adviser to the Structured Equity Funds. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. GSAMI, Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street, London, England EC1A7HD, serves as Investment Adviser to the Strategic International Equity Fund. GSAMI is also an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. See “Service Providers” in the Funds’ Prospectuses for a description of the applicable Investment Adviser’s duties to the Funds.
     Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs is among the oldest and largest investment banking firms in the United States. Goldman Sachs is a leader in developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments. Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a wide range of equity and debt securities 24 - hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in countries throughout the world. It has trading professionals throughout the United States, as well as in London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the world’s financial markets enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the Funds to use the name “Goldman Sachs” or a derivative thereof as part of each Fund’s name for as long as each Fund’s Management Agreement is in effect.
     The Investment Advisers are able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 1,800 securities, more than 50 economies and over 25 stock markets. The in depth information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs’ research analysts are available to the Investment Advisers.
     In addition, many of Goldman Sachs’ economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using quantitative analytics (now used by a growing number of investors) to structure and evaluate portfolios. For example, Goldman Sachs’ options evaluation model analyzes a security’s term, coupon and call option, providing an overall analysis of the security’s value relative to its interest risk.
     In managing the Funds, the Investment Advisers have access to Goldman Sachs’ economics research. The Economics Research Department based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements

B-49


 

worldwide. The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures, balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman Sachs’ international research team has brought wide recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such as Pensions and Investments, Forbes and Dalbar. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the firm’s economists, strategists and equity analysts.
     The Management Agreements provide that GSAM and GSAMI, in their capacity as Investment Advisers, may render similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreements are not impaired thereby. The Funds’ Management Agreements were approved by the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the “non-interested Trustees”) on June 15, 2006. A discussion regarding the Trustees’ basis for approving the Management Agreements for the Funds will become available in the Trust’s annual report dated August 31, 2007.
     Each Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2007 and will continue in effect with respect to the applicable Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of such Fund’s outstanding voting securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
     Each Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act). Each Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the applicable Investment Adviser or by the Investment Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust.
     Pursuant to the Management Agreements the Investment Advisers are entitled to receive the fees set forth below, payable monthly based on such Fund’s average daily net assets.
     
Fund   Contractual Rate
GSAM
   
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
  0.85% on the first $2 billion
 
  0.77% over $2 billion
 
   
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
  0.85% on the first $2 billion
 
  0.77% over $2 billion

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Fund   Contractual Rate
GSAMI
   
Strategic International Equity Fund
  0.85% on the first $1 billion
 
  0.77% on the next $1 billion
 
  0.73% over $2 billion
Additionally, as of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its management fee equal to 0.04% of the Structured Equity Funds’ average daily net assets.
     In addition to providing advisory services, under its Management Agreement, each Investment Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of each Fund that it advises; (ii) provides personnel to perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide effective administration of each Fund; (iii) arranges for at each Fund’s expense: (a) the preparation of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv) maintains each Fund’s records; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and services.
Predecessor Funds’ Adviser and Administrator
     As further explained in the “Introduction” section of this Additional Statement, the Predecessor Funds were reorganized into the Funds. Investment advisory services for the Predecessor Funds were provided by AXA Equitable Insurance Company (the “Predecessor Adviser”). Each Predecessor Fund was obligated to pay the Predecessor Adviser a fee as described below for the investment management services it provided that Predecessor Fund. The Predecessor Adviser and Enterprise Trust also entered into an expense limitation agreement with respect to each Predecessor Fund (“Expense Limitation Agreement”), pursuant to which the Predecessor Adviser has agreed through February 28, 2007 (unless the board of Enterprise Trust consents to an earlier revision or termination of this arrangement) to waive or limit its management, administrative and other fees and to assume other expenses so that the total annual operating expenses (with certain exceptions described in the Prospectus) of each Predecessor Fund were limited to the extent described below.

B-51


 

                                         
    Management Fee
    First $1   Next $1   Next $3   Next $5    
Predecessor Fund   billion   billion   billion   billion   Thereafter
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
    0.730 %     0.705 %     0.680 %     0.655 %     0.630 %
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    0.980 %     0.955 %     0.930 %     0.905 %     0.880 %
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
    0.830 %     0.805 %     0.780 %     0.755 %     0.730 %
                                 
    Total Expenses Limited to (% of daily net assets)
                            Class Y
Predecessor Fund   Class A   Class B   Class C   (Institutional)
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
    1.75 %     2.30 %     2.30 %     1.30 %
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    1.65 %     2.20 %     2.20 %     1.20 %
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
    1.85 %     2.40 %     2.40 %     1.40 %
     For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2006, October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2004, historical data presented below is that of the Predecessors Funds. Further, the Predecessor Funds are successors to corresponding series of The Enterprise Group of Funds, Inc., which is a registered open-end management investment company managed by Enterprise Capital Management, Inc. (“Enterprise Capital”), an affiliate of the Predecessor Adviser. The tables below show the amounts reported by the corresponding predecessor funds as paid to Enterprise Capital or the Predecessor Adviser for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2004 and amounts reported by the Predecessor Funds or their predecessor funds as paid to the Predecessor Adviser or AXA Equitable for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2006. The first column shows each fee without fee waivers, the second column shows the fees actually paid to Enterprise Capital or the Predecessor Adviser after fee waivers and the third column shows the total amount of fees waived by Enterprise Capital or the Predecessor Adviser and other expenses of each Predecessor Fund or its predecessor fund assumed by AXA Equitable or the Predecessor Adviser pursuant to an expense limitation agreement. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004, October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2006, the Predecessor Adviser and Enterprise Capital did not receive any reimbursement from the predecessor funds.
PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004*
                         
                    Total Amount of Fees
            Management Fee   Waived and Other
Predecessor Fund   Management Fee   After Fee Waiver   Expenses Assumed
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 3,680,174     $ 3,680,174       N/A  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 931,727     $ 586,609     $ 345,118  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 546,677     $ 531,687     $ 14,990  

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* The Predecessor Funds changed their fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. The table above covers the ten-month period from January 1, 2004 to October 31, 2004.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2005
                         
                    Total Amount of Fees
            Management Fee   Waived and Other
Predecessor Fund   Management Fee   After Fee Waiver   Expenses Assumed
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 4,564,850     $ 4,564,850       N/A  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 1,072,398     $ 450,031     $ 622,367  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 589,315     $ 350,735     $ 238,580  
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2006
                         
                    Total Amount of Fees
            Management Fee   Waived and Other
Predecessor Fund   Management Fee   After Fee Waiver   Expenses Assumed
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 4,135,133     $ 4,135,133       N/A  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 1,059,461     $ 487,755     $ 571,706  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 1,065,606     $ 1,065,606       N/A  
     The Predecessor Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements (“Predecessor Sub-advisory Agreements”) on behalf of each Predecessor Fund with the following sub-advisers: (each a “Predecessor Sub-adviser” and collectively the “Predecessor Sub-advisers”). The table below shows the amounts reported by the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds as paid by Enterprise Capital or AXA Equitable to each Sub-adviser with respect to the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds for the fiscal periods ended October 31, 2004, October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2006.

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            Sub-Advisory Fees    
            Paid    
    Fiscal Year Ended   Fiscal Period Ended   Fiscal Period Ended
Predecessor Fund   October 31, 2006   October 31, 2005   October 31, 2004*
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 2,266,702     $ 2,415,037     $ 1,961,842  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 644,853     $ 616,523     $ 312,212  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 748,162     $ 317,787     $ 255,833  
 
*   The Predecessor Funds changed their fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. The column above covers the ten-month period from January 1, 2004 to October 31, 2004.
     AXA Equitable served as the administrator to the Predecessor Funds. For these administrative services, in addition to the management fee, each Predecessor Fund paid AXA Equitable a fee at an annual rate of 0.055% of the Predecessor Fund’s total average net assets. Pursuant to a sub-administration arrangement, AXA Equitable contracted with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (“Predecessor Sub-Administrator”) to provide Enterprise Trust with certain administrative services, including monitoring of fund compliance and fund accounting services. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006, Enterprise Trust, on behalf of each Predecessor Fund, paid the following fees for administrative services:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2006
         
Predecessor Fund   Administration Fee
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 325,541  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 61,958  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 72,110  

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Portfolio Managers — Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
     The following tables disclose other accounts within each type of category listed below for which the portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for day to day portfolio management.
                                                                                                 
                                                    Number of Accounts and Total Assets for Which Advisory Fee is
                                                    Performance Based*
    Number of Other Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Account Type*   Registered        
    Registered                   Other   Investment   Other Pooled   Other
    Investment   Other Pooled   Accounts   Companies   Investment Vehicles   Accounts
    Companies   Investment Vehicles   Number           Number           Number           Number    
Name of   Number of   Assets   Number of   Assets   of   Assets   of   Assets   of   Assets   of   Assets
Portfolio Manager   Accounts   Managed   Accounts   Managed   Accounts   Managed   Accounts   Managed   Accounts   Managed   Accounts   Managed
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
                                                                                               
Melissa Brown
    70     $20.4 bil     38     $19.8 bil     638     $63.9 bil     0       0       0       0       30     $9.2 bil
Robert C. Jones
    70     $20.4 bil     38     $19.8 bil     638     $63.9 bil     0       0       0       0       30     $9.2 bil
 
                                                                                               
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
                                                                                               
Melissa Brown
    70     $20.4 bil     38     $19.8 bil     638     $63.9 bil     0       0       0       0       30     $9.2 bil
Robert C. Jones
    70     $20.4 bil     38     $19.8 bil     638     $63.9 bil     0       0       0       0       30     $9.2 bil
 
                                                                                               
Strategic International Equity Fund
                                                                                               
Mark Beveridge
    6     $759 mil     0       0       9     $1.1 bil     0       0       0       0       0       0  
William Howard
    6     $759 mil     0       0       9     $1.1 bil     0       0       0       0       0       0  
Michael Stanes
    6     $759 mil     0       0       9     $1.1 bil     0       0       0       0       0       0  
 
*   The information is as of August 31, 2006.

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      Conflicts of Interest . The Investment Advisers’ portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more of the Funds as well as other accounts, including proprietary accounts, separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles, such as unregistered hedge funds. A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle which may have materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may also have a performance-based fee. The side-by-side management of these funds may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross trading, the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades.
     The Investment Advisers have a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. They seek to provide best execution of all securities transactions and aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. To this end, the Investment Advisers have developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management. In addition, the Investment Advisers and the Funds have adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which cross-trades may be effected between a Fund and another client account. The Investment Advisers conduct periodic reviews of trades for consistency with these policies. For more information about conflicts of interests that may arise in connection with the portfolio manager’s management of the Funds’ investments and the investments of other accounts, see “Potential Conflicts of Interest - Potential Conflicts Relating to the Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Funds and Other Goldman Sachs Accounts and Potential Conflicts Relating to Goldman Sachs’ and the Investment Adviser’s Proprietary Activities and Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts.”
Portfolio Managers — Compensation
      Quantitative Domestic Equity Portfolio Management Teams Base Salary and Performance Bonus .
     The Investment Adviser provides compensation packages for its investment professionals, which are comprised of a base salary and a performance bonus. The year-end performance bonus is a function of each professional’s individual performance; his or her contribution to the overall performance of the group; the performance of GSAM; the profitability of Goldman Sachs; and anticipated compensation levels among competitor firms.
     Portfolio management teams are rewarded for their ability to outperform a benchmark while managing risk exposure. An individual’s compensation depends on his/her contribution to the team as well as his/her ability to work as a member of the team.
     The portfolio management team’s performance measures are aligned with GSAM’s goals to: (1) exceed benchmark over one-year and three-year periods; (2) manage portfolios within a defined range around a targeted tracking error; (3) perform consistently with objectives and client commitments; (4) achieve top tier rankings and ratings; and (5) manage all similarly mandated accounts in a consistent manner.
     Performance-related remuneration for portfolio managers is significantly influenced by the following criteria: (1) overall portfolio performance and consistency of performance over time; (2)

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consistency of performance across accounts with similar profiles; (3) compliance with risk budgets; and (4) communication with other portfolio managers within the research process.
     In addition, detailed portfolio attribution is critical to the measurement process.
     The benchmarks for these Funds are:
     Structured Small Cap Value Fund: Russell 2000 ® Value Index
     Structured Small Cap Growth Team: Russell 2000 ® Growth Index
      Active International Portfolio Management Team Base Salary and Performance Bonus . The Investment Adviser’s Active International Portfolio Management Team’s (the “International Team”) compensation packages for portfolio managers are comprised of a base salary and performance bonus. The performance bonus is a function of: each portfolio manager’s individual performance; the International Team’s total revenues for the past year which in part is derived from advisory fees and for certain accounts; performance based fees; his or her contribution to the overall performance of the International Team; the performance of the Investment Adviser; the profitability of Goldman, Sachs & Co.; and anticipated compensation levels among competitor firms. Portfolio managers are rewarded for their ability to outperform a benchmark over a three year period while managing risk exposure.
     The performance bonus for portfolio managers is significantly influenced by the following criteria: (1) overall portfolio performance; (2) consistency of performance across accounts with similar profiles; and (3) communication with other portfolio managers within the research process. In addition, the following factors involving the overall performance of the International Team are also considered when the amount of performance bonus is determined: (1) whether the team’s performance exceeded performance benchmarks over three-year periods; (2) whether the team performed consistently with objectives and client commitments; and (3) whether the team managed all similarly mandated accounts in a consistent manner.
The benchmark for the Strategic International Equity Fund is the MSCI ® EAFE (unhedged).
      Other Compensation — All Teams . In addition to base salary and performance bonus, the Investment Adviser has a number of additional benefits/deferred compensation programs for all portfolio managers in place including (i) a 401k program that enables employees to direct a percentage of their pretax salary and bonus income into a tax-qualified retirement plan; (ii) a profit sharing program to which Goldman, Sachs & Co. makes a pretax contribution; and (iii) investment opportunity programs in which certain professionals are eligible to participate subject to certain net worth requirements. Portfolio managers may also receive grants of restricted stock units and/or stock options as part of their compensation.
     Certain GSAM portfolio managers may also participate in the firm’s Partner Compensation Plan, which covers many of the firm’s senior executives. In general, under the Partner Compensation Plan, participants receive a base salary and a bonus (which may be paid in cash or in the form of an equity-based award) that is linked to Goldman Sachs’ overall financial performance.

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Portfolio Managers — Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of Securities in the Funds They Manage
     The Funds were not in operation prior to the date of the Additional Statement. Consequently, the Portfolio Managers owned no securities issued by the Funds.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
     Goldman Sachs, 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, serves as the exclusive distributor of shares of the Funds pursuant to a “best efforts” arrangement as provided by a distribution agreement with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Shares of the Funds are offered and sold on a continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after the Prospectuses and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain investment dealers and other financial service firms (the “Authorized Dealers”) to solicit subscriptions for Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of the Funds. Goldman Sachs receives a portion of the sales charge imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or redemption in the case of Class B and Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of such Fund shares.
     Goldman Sachs, 71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trust’s transfer agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has undertaken with the Trust to (i) record the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements, as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trust’s custodian and the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with tax-related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Institutional and Service Shares and 0.19% of average daily net assets with respect to each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.
     The Trust’s distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities.
      Predecessor Funds’ Distributor . Enterprise Fund Distributors, Inc., Atlanta Financial Center, 3343 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, served as the distributor (the “Predecessor Distributor”) to the Predecessor Funds. Enterprise Trust had adopted in the manner prescribed under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act separate plans of distribution pertaining to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of Enterprise Trust (“Predecessor Plans”). Under the Predecessor Plans, each Predecessor Fund was authorized to pay the Predecessor Distributor a service fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each class of shares. In addition to this service fee, each Predecessor Fund was also authorized to pay the Predecessor

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Distributor a distribution fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate of 0.20% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares and 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class B and Class C shares. There was no distribution plan with respect to Class Y (Institutional) shares and the Predecessor Funds paid no service or distribution fees with respect to that class of shares.
     The table below shows the amounts reported by the Predecessor Funds as paid to the Predecessor Distributor with respect to the Predecessor Funds pursuant to their Rule 12b-1 distribution plans for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006. For this period, the Distributor’s actual expenditures exceeded the amounts received from the Predecessor Funds.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2006
                         
    Distribution Fees Paid to Distributor
    Class A   Class B   Class C
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 1,153,763     $ 1,885,628     $ 982,500  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 207,439     $ 327,139     $ 138,616  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 273,152     $ 249,236     $ 225,004  
     The tables below show the amounts of sales charges reported by the Predecessor Funds as earned by the Predecessor Distributor in connection with the sale of shares of the Predecessor Funds and the amounts reported by the Predecessor Funds as retained by the Predecessor Distributor, net of payments to selling dealers, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006.
Class A (Front-End Sales Charge)
                 
    Amount Paid to   Amount Retained
    Predecessor   by Predecessor
Predecessor Fund   Distributor   Distributor
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 509     $ 509  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 189     $ 189  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 15,208     $ 15,208  
Class A (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge)
                 
    Amount Paid to   Amount Retained
    Predecessor   by Predecessor
Predecessor Fund   Distributor   Distributor
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 6,975     $ 6,975  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 2,929     $ 2,929  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 2,463     $ 2,463  

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Class B (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge)
                 
    Amount Paid to   Amount Retained
    Predecessor   by Predecessor
Predecessor Fund   Distributor   Distributor
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 345,994     $ 345,994  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 100,198     $ 100,198  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 65,027     $ 65,027  
Class C (Contingent Deferred Sales Charge)
                 
    Amount Paid to   Amount Retained
    Predecessor   by Predecessor
Predecessor Fund   Distributor   Distributor
 
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 14,351     $ 14,351  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 3,471     $ 3,471  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 5,373     $ 5,373  
Expenses
     The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, is responsible for the payment of each Fund’s respective expenses. The expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Advisers, service fees and shareholder administration fees paid to Service Organizations, the fees and expenses of the Trust’s custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, pricing service fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or qualification of the Trust’s shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the organization of the Funds, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by employees of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and setting in type Prospectuses, Additional Statements, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and distributing of the same to the Trust’s shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses assumed by a Fund pursuant to its Distribution and Service Plans, compensation and expenses of its “non-interested” Trustees, the fees and expenses of pricing services, dividend expenses on short sales and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and expenses under any service plan, shareholder administration plan or distribution and service plans applicable to a particular class and transfer agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.
     The imposition of the Investment Adviser’s fees, as well as other operating expenses, will have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment Adviser may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of a Fund, which would have the effect of

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lowering that Fund’s overall expense ratio and increasing total return to investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.
     As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Investment Advisers voluntarily have agreed to reduce or limit certain “Other Expenses” (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees, service fees, shareholder administration fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees and litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any expense offset arrangements) for the following Funds to the extent such expenses exceed the following percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets:
         
    Other
    Expenses
Structured Small Cap Value Fund
    0.004 %
Structured Small Cap Growth Fund
    0.004 %
Strategic International Equity Fund
    0.16 %
     Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during each Funds’ fiscal year and may be discontinued or modified by the applicable Investment Adviser in its discretion at any time.
     Fees and expenses borne by the Funds relating to legal counsel, registering shares of a Fund, holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. Each Fund may also bear an allocable portion of the Investment Adviser’s costs of performing certain accounting services not being provided by a Fund’s custodian.
Custodian and Sub-Custodians
     State Street, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the custodian of the Trust’s portfolio securities and cash for the Structured Small Cap Value and Structured Small Cap Growth Funds. JPMorganChase, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is the custodian to the Strategic International Equity Funds. State Street and JPMorganChase also maintain the Trust’s accounting records for the Funds for which they serve as custodian. State Street may appoint domestic and foreign sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold certain securities and other instruments purchased by the Trust in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Trust.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP prepares the Funds’ federal and state tax returns, and provides assistance on certain non-audit matters.

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POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Summary
     The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a worldwide, full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization, and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, investment adviser, financer, advisor, market maker, proprietary trader, prime broker, lender and agent, and has other direct and indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equity and other markets in which the Funds invest. As a result, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the asset management division of Goldman Sachs, the Investment Advisers, and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees (collectively for purposes of this “Potential Conflicts of Interest” section, “Goldman Sachs”), including those who may be involved in the management, sales, investment activities, business operations or distribution of the Funds, are engaged in businesses and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. The Funds will not be entitled to compensation related to such businesses. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional, financial and other interests in securities, instruments and companies that may be directly or indirectly purchased or sold by the Funds and their service providers. Such additional businesses and interests may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. The following is a brief summary description of certain of these potential conflicts of interest:
    While the Investment Advisers will make decisions for the Funds in accordance with their obligations to manage the Funds appropriately, the fees, allocations, compensation and other benefits to Goldman Sachs (including benefits relating to business relationships of Goldman Sachs) arising from those decisions may be greater as a result of certain portfolio, investment, service provider or other decisions made by the Investment Advisers than they would have been had other decisions been made which also might have been appropriate for the Funds.
 
    Goldman Sachs, its sales personnel and other financial service providers may have conflicts associated with their promotion of the Funds or other dealings with the Funds that would create incentives for them to promote the Funds.
 
    While the allocation of investment opportunities among Goldman Sachs, the Funds and other funds and accounts managed by Goldman Sachs may raise potential conflicts because of financial or other interests of Goldman Sachs or its personnel, the Investment Advisers will not make allocation decisions solely based on such factors.
 
    The Investment Advisers will give advice to and make investment decisions for the Funds as they believe is in the fiduciary interests of the Funds. Advice given to the Funds or investment decisions made for the Funds may differ from, and may conflict with, advice given or investment decisions made for Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts. For example, other funds or accounts managed by the Investment Advisers may sell short securities of an issuer in which the Funds have taken, or will take, a long position in the same securities. Actions taken with respect to Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts may adversely impact the Funds, and actions taken by the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts.
 
    The Investment Adviser may buy for the Funds securities or obligations of issuers in which Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts have made, or are making, an investment in securities or obligations that are subordinate or senior to securities of the Funds. For example,

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      a Fund may invest in debt securities of an issuer at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other funds or accounts are investing, or currently have an investment, in equity securities of the same issuer. To the extent that the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges which may impact the price of its securities and its ability to meet its obligations, decisions by Goldman Sachs (including the Investment Adviser) relating to what actions to be taken may also raise conflicts of interests and Goldman Sachs may take actions for certain accounts that have negative impacts on other advisory accounts.
 
    Goldman Sachs’ personnel may have varying levels of economic and other interests in accounts or products promoted or managed by such personnel as compared to other accounts or products promoted or managed by them.
 
    Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation to provide to the Funds, or effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with, any market or other information, analysis, technical models or research in its possession. Goldman Sachs may have information material to the management of the Funds and may not share that information with relevant personnel of the Investment Adviser.
 
    To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may enter into transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts as principal, or in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Funds and the other parties to such transactions. Goldman Sachs will have potentially conflicting interests in connection with such transactions.
 
    Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or otherwise for the Funds and will retain all commissions, fees and other compensation in connection therewith.
 
    Securities traded for the Funds may, but are not required to, be aggregated with trades for other funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs. When transactions are aggregated but it is not possible to receive the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold, the various prices may be averaged, and the Funds will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds.
 
    Products and services received by the Investment Advisers or their affiliates from brokers in connection with brokerage services provided to the Funds and other funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs may disproportionately benefit other of such funds and accounts based on the relative amounts of brokerage services provided to the Funds and such other funds and accounts.
 
    While the Investment Advisers will make proxy voting decisions as they believe appropriate and in accordance with the Investment Advisers’ policies designed to help avoid conflicts of interest, proxy voting decisions made by the Investment Advisers with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities may favor the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs.
 
    Regulatory restrictions (including relating to the aggregation of positions among different funds and accounts) and internal Goldman Sachs policies may restrict investment activities of the

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     Funds. Information held by Goldman Sachs could have the effect of restricting investment activities of the Funds.
     Prospective investors should carefully review the following section of this document which more fully describes these and other potential conflicts of interest presented by Goldman Sachs’ other businesses and interests.
     As a registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act, the Investment Advisers are required to file a Form ADV with the SEC. Form ADV contains information about assets under management, types of fee arrangements, types of investments, potential conflicts of interest, and other relevant information regarding the Investment Advisers. A copy of Part 1 of the Investment Advisers’ Form ADV is available on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Potential Conflicts Relating to Portfolio Decisions, the Sale of Fund Shares and the Allocation of Investment Opportunities
      Goldman Sachs’ Other Activities May Have an Impact on the Funds
     The Investment Advisers make decisions for the Funds in accordance with their obligations as the Investment Advisers of the Funds. However, Goldman Sachs’ other activities may have a negative effect on the Funds. As a result of the various activities and interests of Goldman Sachs as described in the first paragraph under “Summary” above, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. It is also likely that the Funds will undertake transactions in securities in which Goldman Sachs makes a market or otherwise has other direct or indirect interests. In addition, while the Investment Advisers will make decisions for the Funds in accordance with their obligations to manage the Funds appropriately, the fees, allocations, compensation and other benefits (including benefits relating to business relationships of Goldman Sachs) arising from those decisions may be greater as a result of certain portfolio, investment, service provider or other decisions made by the Investment Advisers for the Funds than they would have been had other decisions been made which also might have been appropriate for the Funds.
     Goldman Sachs conducts extensive broker-dealer, banking and other activities around the world and operates a business known as Goldman Sachs Security Services (“GSS”) which provides prime brokerage, administrative and other services to clients which may involve funds, markets and securities in which the Funds invest. These businesses will give GSS and many other parts of Goldman Sachs broad access to the current status of certain markets, investments and funds and detailed knowledge about fund operators. In addition, with respect to advisory account that invests in funds, given Goldman Sachs’ scale of activity in the prime brokerage market, it is likely that Goldman Sachs will act as a prime broker to one or more funds in which such advisory account may invest, in which case Goldman Sachs will have direct knowledge concerning the investments and transactions of such funds. As a result of the activities described in this paragraph and the access and knowledge arising from those activities, parts of Goldman Sachs may be in possession of information in respect of markets, investments and funds, which, if known to the Investment Adviser, might cause the Investment Adviser to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in investments held by the Funds or acquire certain positions on behalf of the Funds. Goldman Sachs will be under no duty to make any such information available to the Funds or personnel of the Investment Adviser making investment

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decisions on behalf of the Funds. In general, personnel of the Investment Adviser making investment decisions will make decisions based solely upon information known by such decision makers without regard to information known by other Goldman Sachs personnel.
Goldman Sachs’ Financial and Other Interests and Relationships May Incentivize Goldman Sachs to Promote the Sale of Fund Shares
     Goldman Sachs, its personnel and other financial service providers, have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. With respect to both Goldman Sachs and its personnel, the remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of the Funds or other products may be greater than the remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of other products that might be provided or offered. Goldman Sachs and its sales personnel may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the Funds or their shareholders. Goldman Sachs and its advisory or other personnel may also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management. Fees and commissions may also be higher than for other products or services, and the remuneration and profitability to Goldman Sachs and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of or management of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other funds or products.
     Conflicts may arise in relation to sales-related incentives. Goldman Sachs and its personnel may receive greater compensation or greater profit in connection with the Funds than with an account advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser. Differentials in compensation may be related to the fact that Goldman Sachs may pay a portion of its advisory fee to the unaffiliated investment adviser, or to other compensation arrangements, including for portfolio management, brokerage transactions or account servicing. Any differential in compensation may create a financial incentive on the part of Goldman Sachs and its personnel to recommend the Funds over other accounts or products managed by unaffiliated investment advisers or to effect transactions differently in the Funds as compared to other accounts or products.
     Goldman Sachs may also have relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell, services or products from or to, distributors, consultants and others who recommend the Funds, or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs regularly participates in industry and consultant sponsored conferences and may purchase educational, data related or other services from consultants or other third parties that it deems to be of value to its personnel and its business. The products and services purchased from consultants may include, but are not limited to, those that help Goldman Sachs understand the consultant’s points of view on the investment management process. Consultants and other parties that provide consulting or other services to potential investors in the Funds may receive fees from Goldman Sachs or the Funds in connection with the distribution of shares in the Funds or other Goldman Sachs products. For example, Goldman Sachs may enter into revenue or fee sharing arrangements with consultants, service providers, and other intermediaries relating to investments in mutual funds, collective trusts, or other products or services offered or managed by the Investment Advisers. Goldman Sachs may also pay a fee for membership in industry-wide or state and municipal organizations or otherwise help sponsor conferences and educational forums for investment industry participants including, but not limited to, trustees, fiduciaries, consultants, administrators, state and municipal personnel and other clients. Goldman Sachs’ membership in such organizations allows Goldman Sachs to participate in these conferences and educational forums and helps Goldman Sachs interact with conference participants and to develop an understanding of the points of view and challenges of the conference participants. In addition, Goldman Sachs’ personnel, including employees

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of Goldman Sachs, may have board, advisory, brokerage or other relationships with issuers, distributors, consultants and others that may have investments in the Funds or that may recommend investments in the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, may make charitable contributions to institutions, including those that have relationships with clients or personnel of clients. Goldman Sachs’ personnel may also make political contributions. As a result of the relationships and arrangements described in this paragraph, consultants, distributors and other parties may have conflicts associated with their promotion of the Funds or other dealings with the Funds that create incentives for them to promote the Funds or certain portfolio transactions.
     To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may make payments to authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the Funds, Client/GS Accounts (defined below) and other products. In addition to placement fees, sales loads or similar distribution charges, such payments may be made out of Goldman Sachs’ assets, or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs rather than a separately identified charge to the Funds, Client/GS Accounts or other products. Such payments may compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and other products; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds, Client/GS Accounts and other products. The payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote certain products, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The additional payments by Goldman Sachs may also compensate Intermediaries for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the fees paid for these services by such products.
     The payments made by Goldman Sachs may be different for different Intermediaries. The presence of these payments and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend certain products based, at least in part, on the level of compensation paid.
Potential Conflicts Relating to the Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Funds and Other Goldman Sachs Accounts
     Goldman Sachs has potential conflicts in connection with the allocation of investments or transaction decisions for the Funds, including in situations in which Goldman Sachs or its personnel (including personnel of the Investment Advisers) have interests. For example, the Funds may be competing for investment opportunities with current or future accounts or funds managed or advised by Goldman Sachs (including the Investment Advisers). These accounts or funds may provide greater fees or other compensation (including performance based fees) to Goldman Sachs (including the Investment Advisers) or in which Goldman Sachs (including the Investment Advisers) or its personnel have an interest (collectively, the “Client/GS Accounts”).
     Goldman Sachs may manage or advise Client/GS Accounts that have investment objectives that are similar to those of the Funds and/or may seek to make investments in securities or other instruments in which the Funds may invest. This will create potential conflicts and potential differences among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, particularly where there is limited availability or limited liquidity for those investments. Such limited availability situations may exist, without limitation, in local and emerging markets, regulated industries, research and development

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trades, relative value or paired trades, IPO/new issues and limited issues. The Investment Advisers have developed policies and procedures that provide that they will allocate investment opportunities and make purchase and sale decisions among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts in a manner that they consider, in their sole discretion and consistent with their fiduciary obligation to each Client/GS Account, to be reasonable. Allocations may be based on numerous factors and may not always be pro rata based on assets managed.
     The Investment Advisers will make allocation-related decisions for the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts with reference to numerous factors that may include, without limitation, (i) account investment horizons, investment objectives and guidelines; (ii) different levels of investment for different strategies; (iii) client-specific investment guidelines and restrictions; (iv) fully directed brokerage accounts; (v) tax sensitivity of accounts; (vi) suitability requirements; (vii) account turnover guidelines; (viii) availability of cash for investment; (ix) relative sizes and expected future sizes of applicable accounts; and/or (x) availability of other investment opportunities. Suitability considerations can include without limitation (i) relative attractiveness of a security to different accounts; (ii) concentration of positions in an account; (iii) appropriateness of a security for the benchmark of an account; (iv) an account’s risk tolerance, risk parameters and strategy allocations; (v) use of the opportunity as a replacement for a security the Investment Advisers believe to be attractive for an account but that for some reason cannot be held in the account; (vi) the need to hedge a short position in a pair trade; and/or (vii) the need to give a subset of accounts exposure to an industry. In addition to allocations of limited availability investments, the Investment Advisers may, from time to time, develop and implement new investment opportunities and/or trading strategies, and these strategies may not be allocated among all accounts (including the Fund) or pro rata, even if the strategy is consistent with objectives of all accounts. The Investment Advisers may make decisions based on such factors as strategic fit and other portfolio management considerations, including, without limitation, an account’s capacity for such strategy, the liquidity of the strategy and its underlying instruments, the account’s liquidity, the business risk of the strategy relative to the account’s overall portfolio make-up, and the lack of efficacy of, or return expectations from, the strategy for the account, and such other factors as the Investment Advisers deem relevant in their sole discretion. For example, such a determination may, but will not necessarily, include consideration of the fact that a particular strategy will not have a meaningful impact on an account given the overall size of the account, the limited availability of opportunities in the strategy and the availability of other strategies for the account. As a result, such a strategy may be allocated to some accounts managed by the Investment Advisers and not to others.
     Although allocating orders among the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts may create potential conflicts of interest because of the interests of Goldman Sachs or its personnel or because Goldman Sachs may receive greater fees or compensation from one of the Client/GS Account’s allocations, the Investment Advisers will not make allocation decisions based on such interests or greater fees or compensation.
     Allocation decisions among accounts may be more or less advantageous to any one account or group of accounts. As a result of the above, the Investment Advisers may determine that investment opportunities, strategies or particular purchases or sales are appropriate for one or more Client/GS Accounts or for themselves or an affiliate, but not for the Funds, or are appropriate for, or available to, the Funds but in different sizes, terms or timing than is appropriate for other Client/GS Accounts, or may determine not to allocate to or purchase or sell for Client/GS Accounts all investment transactions for which Client/GS Accounts may be eligible. Therefore, the amount, timing, structuring or terms of

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an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower than, investments and performance of other Client/GS Accounts.
     The Investment Advisers and/or their affiliates manage accounts of clients of Goldman Sachs’ Private Wealth Management (“PWM”) business. Such PWM clients receive advice from Goldman Sachs by means of separate accounts (“PWM Separate Accounts”). With respect to the Funds, the Investment Advisers may follow a strategy that is expected to be similar over time to that delivered by the PWM Separate Accounts. Each of the Funds and the PWM Separate Account Clients are subject to independent management and, given the independence in the implementation of advice to these accounts, there can be no warranty that such investment advice will be implemented simultaneously. Neither the Investment Advisers (in the case of the Funds) nor their affiliates (in the case of PWM Separate Accounts), will know when advice issued has been executed (if at all) and, if so, to what extent. While each will use reasonable endeavors to procure timely execution, it is possible that prior execution for or on behalf of the PWM Separate Accounts could adversely affect the prices and availability of the securities, currencies and instruments in which the Funds invest.
Other Potential Conflicts Relating to the Management of the Funds by the Investment Advisers
      Potential Restrictions and Issues Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs
     From time to time and subject to the Investment Advisers’ policies and procedures regarding information barriers, the Investment Advisers may consult with personnel in other areas of Goldman Sachs, or with persons unaffiliated with Goldman Sachs, or may form investment policy committees comprised of such personnel. The performance by such persons of obligations related to their consultation with personnel of the Investment Advisers could conflict with their areas of primary responsibility within Goldman Sachs or elsewhere. In connection with their activities with the Investment Advisers, such persons may receive information regarding the Investment Advisers’ proposed investment activities of the Funds that is not generally available to the public. There will be no obligation on the part of such persons to make available for use by the Funds any information or strategies known to them or developed in connection with their own client, proprietary or other activities. In addition, Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation to make available any research or analysis prior to its public dissemination.
     The Investment Advisers make decisions for the Funds based on the Funds’ investment programs. The Investment Advisers from time to time may have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Goldman Sachs and its personnel. Goldman Sachs will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Funds in accordance with such analysis and models.
     In addition, Goldman Sachs has no obligation to seek information or to make available to or share with the Funds any information, investment strategies, opportunities or ideas known to Goldman Sachs personnel or developed or used in connection with other clients or activities. Goldman Sachs and certain of its personnel, including the Investment Advisers’ personnel or other Goldman Sachs personnel advising or otherwise providing services to the Funds, may be in possession of information not available to all Goldman Sachs personnel, and such personnel may act on the basis of such information in ways that have adverse effects on the Funds.
     From time to time, Goldman Sachs may come into possession of material, non-public information or other information that could limit the ability of the Funds to buy and sell investments.

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The investment flexibility of the Funds may be constrained as a consequence. The Investment Advisers generally are not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information in effecting purchases and sales in public securities transactions for the Funds.
Potential Conflicts Relating to Goldman Sachs’ and the Investment Advisers’ Proprietary Activities and Activities On Behalf of Other Accounts
     The results of the investment activities of the Funds may differ significantly from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts and from the results achieved by Goldman Sachs for other Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Advisers will manage the Funds and the other Client/GS Accounts they manage in accordance with their respective investment objectives and guidelines. However, Goldman Sachs may give advice, and take action, with respect to any current or future Client/GS Accounts that may compete or conflict with the advice the Investment Advisers may give to the Funds, or may involve a different timing or nature of action than with respect to the Funds.
     Transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs or Client/GS Accounts may adversely impact the Funds. Goldman Sachs and one or more Client/GS Accounts may buy or sell positions while the Funds are undertaking the same or a differing, including potentially opposite, strategy, which could disadvantage the Funds. For example, a Fund may buy a security and Goldman Sachs or Client/GS Accounts may establish a short position in that same security. The subsequent short sale may result in impairment of the price of the security which the Fund holds. Conversely, the Fund may establish a short position in a security and Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts may buy that same security. The subsequent purchase may result in an increase of the price of the underlying position in the short sale exposure of the Fund and such increase in price would be to the Fund’s detriment. Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore benefit) Goldman Sachs or other Client/GS Accounts.
     In addition, transactions in investments by one or more Client/GS Accounts and Goldman Sachs may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of a Fund, particularly, but not limited to, in small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies. This may occur when portfolio decisions regarding a Fund are based on research or other information that is also used to support portfolio decisions for other Client/GS Accounts. When Goldman Sachs or a Client/GS Account implements a portfolio decision or strategy ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar portfolio decisions or strategies for the Funds (whether or not the portfolio decisions emanate from the same research analysis or other information), market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the Fund receiving less favorable trading results and the costs of implementing such portfolio decisions or strategies could be increased or the Fund could otherwise be disadvantaged. Goldman Sachs may, in certain cases, elect to implement internal policies and procedures designed to limit such consequences to Client/GS Accounts, which may cause a Fund to be unable to engage in certain activities, including purchasing or disposing of securities, when it might otherwise be desirable for it to do so.
     As noted above, the Investment Adviser may, but is not required to aggregate purchase or sale orders for the Funds with trades for other funds or accounts managed by Goldman Sachs, including Client/GS Accounts. When orders are aggregated for execution, it is possible that GS and GS

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employee interests will receive benefits from such transactions, even in limited capacity situations. While the Investment Adviser maintains policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to deal with conflicts of interest that may arise in certain situations when purchase or sale orders for the Funds are aggregated for execution with orders for Client/GS Accounts, in some cases the Investment Adviser will make allocations to accounts in which Goldman Sachs and/or employees have an interest.
     The Investment Adviser has established a trade sequencing and rotation policy for certain U.S. equity client accounts (including the Funds) and “wrap fee” accounts. The Investment Adviser does not generally aggregate trades on behalf of wrap fee accounts at the present time. “Wrap fees” usually cover execution costs only when trades are placed with the sponsor of the account. Trades through different sponsors are generally not aggregated. The Investment Adviser currently utilizes an asset-based trade sequencing and rotation policy for determining the order in which trades for institutional and wrap accounts are placed. Given current asset levels, the Investment Adviser’s trade sequencing and rotation policy provides that wrap accounts trade ahead of other accounts, including the Funds, 10% of the time. Other accounts, including the Funds, currently trade before wrap accounts 90% of the time. This is reflected in a ten week trade rotation schedule. The Investment Adviser may deviate from the rotation schedule under certain circumstances. These include situations, for example, where in the Investment Adviser’s view it is not practical for the wrap fee accounts to participate in certain types of trades or when there are unusually long delays in a given wrap sponsor’s execution of a particular trade. In addition, a portfolio management team may provide instructions simultaneously regarding the placement of a trade in lieu of the rotation schedule if the trade represents a relatively small proportion of the average daily trading volume of the relevant security.
     The directors, officers and employees of Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts (including through investment funds managed by Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers). As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, officers and employees that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Funds. To reduce the possibility that the Funds will be materially adversely affected by the personal trading described above, each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as each Fund’s Investment Adviser and distributor, has established policies and procedures that restrict securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as each Fund’s Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted a code of ethics (collectively, the “Codes of Ethics”) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act and monitoring procedures relating to certain personal securities transactions by personnel of the Investment Advisers which the Investment Advisers deem to involve potential conflicts involving such personnel, Client/GS Accounts managed by the Investment Advisers and the Funds. The Codes of Ethics require that personnel of the Investment Advisers comply with all applicable federal securities laws and with the fiduciary duties and anti-fraud rules to which the Investment Advisers are subject. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to publicinfo@sec.gov.

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     Clients of Goldman Sachs (including Client/GS Accounts) may have, as a result of receiving client reports or otherwise, access to information regarding the Investment Advisers’ transactions or views which may affect such clients’ transactions outside of accounts controlled by personnel of the Investment Advisers, and such transactions may negatively impact the performance of the Funds. The Funds may also be adversely affected by cash flows and market movements arising from purchase and sales transactions, as well as increases of capital in, and withdrawals of capital from, other Client/GS Accounts. These effects can be more pronounced in thinly traded and less liquid markets.
     The Investment Advisers’ management of the Funds may benefit Goldman Sachs. For example, the Funds may, subject to applicable law, invest directly or indirectly in the securities of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or which Goldman Sachs has an equity, debt or other interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may engage in investment transactions which may result in other Client/GS Accounts being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of investments or cause the Funds to have to divest certain investments. The purchase, holding and sale of investments by the Funds may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs’ or other Client/GS Accounts’ own investments in and its activities with respect to such companies.
     Goldman Sachs and one or more Client/GS Accounts (including the Funds) may also invest in different classes of securities of the same issuer. As a result, one or more Client/GS Accounts may pursue or enforce rights with respect to a particular issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. For example, if a Client/GS Account holds debt securities of an issuer and a Fund holds equity securities of the same issuer, if the issuer experiences financial or operations challenges, the Client/GS Account which holds the debt securities may seek a liquidation of the issuer, whereas the Fund which holds the equity securities may prefer a reorganization of the issuer. A Fund may be negatively impacted by Goldman Sachs’ and other Client/GS Accounts’ activities, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case had Goldman Sachs and other Client/GS Accounts not pursued a particular course of action with respect to the issuer of the securities. In addition, in certain instances personnel of the Investment Adviser may obtain information about the issuer that would be material to the management of other Client/GS Accounts which could limit the ability of personnel of the Investment Adviser to buy or sell securities of the issuer on behalf of the Funds.
     Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell or issue, or act as placement agent or distributor of, derivative instruments with respect to the Funds or with respect to underlying securities, currencies or instruments of the Funds, or which may be otherwise based on the performance of the Funds. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs (including its personnel or Client/GS Accounts) may invest in the Funds, may hedge its derivative positions by buying or selling shares of the Funds, and reserves the right to redeem some or all of its investments at any time. These investments and redemptions may be significant and may be made without notice to the shareholders. The structure or other characteristics of the derivative instruments may have an adverse effect on the Funds. For example, the derivative instruments could represent leveraged investments in the Funds, and the leveraged characteristics of such investments could make it more likely, due to events of default or otherwise, that there would be significant redemptions of interests from the Funds more quickly than might otherwise be the case. Goldman Sachs, acting in commercial capacities in connection with such derivative instruments, may in fact cause such a redemption. This may have an adverse effect on the investment management and positions, flexibility and diversification strategies of the Funds and on the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred directly or indirectly for the account of the Funds.

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      Potential Conflicts in Connection with Investments in Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds
     To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest all or some of its short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by Goldman Sachs. In connection with any such investments, a Fund, to the extent permitted by the Act, will pay its share of all expenses (other than advisory and administrative fees) of a money market fund in which it invests which may result in a Fund bearing some additional expenses.
      Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource
     Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, may from time to time and without notice to investors in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection with a variety of services that it provides to the Funds in its administrative or other capacities. Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
Potential Conflicts That May Arise When Goldman Sachs Acts in a Capacity Other Than Investment Adviser to the Funds
     To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may enter into transactions and invest in futures, securities, currencies, swaps, options, forward contracts or other instruments in which Goldman Sachs acting as principal or on a proprietary basis for its customers, serves as the counterparty. The Funds may also enter into cross transactions in which Goldman Sachs acts on behalf of the Fund and for the other party to the transaction. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of responsibilities to both parties to a cross transaction. For example, Goldman Sachs may represent both a Fund and another Client/GS Account in connection with the purchase of a security by the Fund, and Goldman Sachs may receive compensation or other payments from either or both parties, which could influence the decision of Goldman Sachs to cause the Fund to purchase such security. The Funds may engage in principal or cross transactions to the extent permitted by applicable law.
     Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds. It is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by Goldman Sachs will be in its view commercially reasonable, although Goldman Sachs, including its sales personnel, will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts that are favorable to Goldman Sachs and such sales personnel. The Funds may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, borrow funds from Goldman Sachs at rates and on other terms arranged with Goldman Sachs.
     Goldman Sachs may be entitled to compensation when it acts in capacities other than as the Investment Advisers, and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. For example, Goldman Sachs (and its personnel and other distributors) will be entitled to retain fees and other amounts that it receives in connection with its service to the Funds as broker, dealer, agent, lender, advisor or in other commercial capacities and no accounting to the Funds or their shareholders will be required, and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds or their shareholders will be reduced by reason of receipt by Goldman Sachs of any such fees or other amounts.

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     When Goldman Sachs acts as broker, dealer, agent, lender or advisor or in other commercial capacities in relation to the Funds, Goldman Sachs may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. For example, in connection with lending arrangements involving the Funds, Goldman Sachs may require repayment of all or part of a loan at any time or from time to time.
     The Funds will be required to establish business relationships with their counterparties based on their own credit standing. Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Advisers, will not have any obligation to allow its credit to be used in connection with the Funds’ establishment of their business relationships, nor is it expected that the Funds’ counterparties will rely on the credit of Goldman Sachs in evaluating the Funds’ creditworthiness.
Potential Conflicts in Connection with Brokerage Transactions and Proxy Voting
     To the extent permitted by applicable law, purchases and sales of securities for a Fund may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other Client/GS Accounts. The Investment Advisers and their affiliates, however, are not required to bunch or aggregate orders if portfolio management decisions for different accounts are made separately, or if they determine that bunching or aggregating is not practicable, required or with cases involving client direction.
     Prevailing trading activity frequently may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged, and the Funds will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Funds will not be charged the same commission or commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order. Time zone differences, separate trading desks or portfolio management processes in a global organization may, among other factors, result in separate, non-aggregated executions.
     The Investment Advisers may select brokers (including, without limitation, affiliates of the Investment Advisers) that furnish the Investment Advisers, the Funds, other Client/GS Accounts or their affiliates or personnel, directly or through correspondent relationships, with research or other appropriate services which provide, in the Investment Advisers’ views, appropriate assistance to the Investment Advisers in the investment decision-making process (including with respect to futures, fixed-price offerings and over-the-counter transactions). Such research or other services may include, to the extent permitted by law, research reports on companies, industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; proxy analysis; trade industry seminars; computer databases; quotation equipment and services; and research-oriented computer hardware, software and other services and products. Research or other services obtained in this manner may be used in servicing any or all of the Funds and other Client/GS Accounts, including in connection with Client/GS Accounts other than those that pay commissions to the broker relating to the research or other service arrangements. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other Client/GS Accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other Client/GS Accounts. For example, research or other services that are paid for through one client’s commissions may not be used in managing that client’s account. In addition, other Client/GS Accounts may receive the benefit, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to such other Client/GS Accounts. To the extent that the Investment Advisers use soft dollars, they will not have to pay for those products and services themselves. The Investment Advisers may receive research that is

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bundled with the trade execution, clearing, and/or settlement services provided by a particular broker-dealer. To the extent that the Investment Advisers receive research on this basis, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist. For example, the research effectively will be paid by client commissions that also will be used to pay for the execution, clearing, and settlement services provided by the broker-dealer and will not be paid by the Investment Advisers.
     The Investment Advisers may endeavor to execute trades through brokers who, pursuant to such arrangements, provide research or other services in order to ensure the continued receipt of research or other services the Investment Advisers believe are useful in their investment decision-making process. The Investment Advisers may from time to time choose not to engage in the above described arrangements to varying degrees.
     The Investment Advisers have adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that they make on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with the Investment Advisers’ fiduciary obligations to their clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decisions of the Investment Advisers may have the effect of favoring the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates provided that the Investment Advisers believe such voting decisions to be in accordance with their fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this Additional Statement entitled “Proxy Voting.”
Potential Regulatory Restrictions on Investment Adviser Activity
     From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to Goldman Sachs and/or its internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. A client not advised by Goldman Sachs would not be subject to some of those considerations. There may be periods when the Investment Advisers may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit their advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which Goldman Sachs is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if Goldman Sachs personnel serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. The larger the Investment Advisers’ investment advisory business and Goldman Sachs’ businesses, the larger the potential that these restricted list policies will impact investment transactions. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase securities or instruments that are issued by such companies or are the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by Goldman Sachs, or in cases in which Goldman Sachs personnel are directors or officers of the issuer.
     The investment activities of Goldman Sachs for its proprietary accounts and for Client/GS Accounts may also limit the investment strategies and rights of the Funds. For example, in regulated industries, in certain emerging or international markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there may be limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause Goldman Sachs, the Funds or other Client/GS Accounts to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions. If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of the Investment Advisers on

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behalf of clients (including the Funds) to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, the Investment Advisers on behalf of clients (including the Funds) may limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) when the Investment Advisers, in their sole discretion, deem it appropriate.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
     The Investment Advisers are responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Funds, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities traded over-the-counter also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Orders may be directed to any broker including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs.
     In the over-the-counter market, most securities have historically traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
     In placing orders for portfolio securities of a Fund, the Investment Advisers are generally required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price available. This means that an Investment Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Section 28(e)”), a Fund may pay a broker which provides brokerage and research services to the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith determination that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Investment Advisers generally seek reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, a Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the Investment Advisers will consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions of a Fund, the Investment Advisers and their affiliates, or their other clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and companies; economic surveys and analyses; recommendations as to specific securities; research products including quotation equipment and computer related programs; advice concerning the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance to the Investment Advisers in the performance of their decision-making responsibilities.

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     Such services are used by the Investment Advisers in connection with all of their investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for a Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be larger than those of a Fund’s, and the services furnished by such brokers may be used by the Investment Advisers in providing management services for the Trust. On occasion, a broker-dealer might furnish an Investment Adviser with a service which has a mixed use (i.e., the service is used both for investment and brokerage activities and for other activities). Where this occurs, an Investment Adviser will reasonably allocate the cost of the service, so that the portion or specific component which assists in investment and brokerage activities is obtained using portfolio commissions from the Funds or other managed accounts, and the portion or specific component which provides other assistance (for example, administrative or non-research assistance) is paid for by an Investment Adviser from its own funds.
     On occasions when an Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other investment company or advisory account for which such Investment Adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-investment adviser), the Investment Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to such Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price and size of the position obtainable for a Fund.
     Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Trustees.
     The Funds may participate in a commission recapture program. Under the program, participating broker-dealers rebate a percentage of commissions earned on Fund portfolio transactions to the particular Fund from which they were generated. The rebated commissions are expected to be treated as realized capital gains of the Funds.
     Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Advisers may use Goldman Sachs or an affiliate as a broker for a Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs or an affiliate, acting as agent, to effect any portfolio transactions for a Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities or futures contracts. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested” Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law. Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally prevailing rates. The amount of brokerage commissions

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paid by a Fund may vary substantially from year to year because of differences in shareholder purchase and redemption activity, portfolio turnover rates and other factors.
Predecessor Fund’s Brokerage Commissions . The table below shows the amounts reported by the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds as paid in brokerage commissions with respect to the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004, October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2006.
                         
    Brokerage Commissions Paid*
Predecessor Fund   2004**   2005   2006
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 295,607     $ 167,651     $ 178,084  
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  $ 471,959     $ 790,140     $ 237,960  
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 143,714     $ 277,697     $ 243,302  
 
*   Brokerage commissions may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including the type of investments selected by the Predecessor Sub-adviser(s), changes in transaction costs and market conditions.
 
**   The Predecessor Funds changed their fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. The column above covers the ten-month period from January 1, 2004 to October 31, 2004.
Predecessor Funds’ Brokerage Transactions with Affiliates. During the fiscal periods ended October 31, 2004, October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2006 the following Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds paid the amounts indicated to the affiliated broker-dealers of AXA Capital, AXA Equitable or the Predecessor Distributor or affiliates of the Predecessor Sub-Adviser to each Predecessor Fund or their predecessor funds.
PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004*
                                 
                            Percentage of
            Aggregate   Percentage of   Transactions
            Brokerage   Total   (Based on
    Affiliated Broker-   Commissions   Brokerage   Dollar
Predecessor Fund   Dealer   Paid**   Commissions   Amounts)
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  Gabelli & Company, Inc.   $ 224,184       75.8 %     61.9 %
 
                               
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                               
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  State Street Brokerage Services   $ 14,661       10.2 %     13.5 %

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*   The Predecessor Funds changed their fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31. The table
above covers the ten-month period from January 1, 2004 to October 31, 2004.
 
**   Brokerage commissions may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including the type of investments selected by the Predecessor Sub-adviser(s), changes in transaction costs and market conditions.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2005
                                 
                            Percentage of
            Aggregate   Percentage of   Transactions
            Brokerage   Total   (Based on
    Affiliated   Commissions   Brokerage   Dollar
Predecessor Fund   Broker-Dealer   Paid*   Commissions   Amounts)
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  Gabelli & Company, Inc.   $ 95,348       56.87 %     17.68 %
 
                               
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                               
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  State Street Global Markets   $ 19,092       6.88 %     12.92 %
 
*   Brokerage commissions may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including the type of investments selected by the sub-adviser(s), changes in transaction costs and market conditions.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2006
                                 
                            Percentage of
            Aggregate   Percentage of   Transactions
            Brokerage   Total   (Based on
    Affiliated   Commissions   Brokerage   Dollar
Predecessor Fund   Broker-Dealer   Paid*   Commissions   Amounts)
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  Gabelli & Company, Inc.   $ 94,516       53.08 %     21.07 %
 
                               
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
                               
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  

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*   Brokerage commissions may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including the type of investments selected by the sub-adviser(s), changes in transaction costs and market conditions.
Predecessor Funds’ Brokerage Transactions Relating to Research Services. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006, the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds directed the following amount of portfolio transactions to broker-dealers that provided research services, for which the Predecessor Funds and their predecessor funds paid the brokerage commissions indicated:
                 
    Amount of Portfolio   Related Brokerage
Predecessor Fund   Transactions   Commissions Paid
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  $ 1,919,735     $ 7,031  
 
               
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
    N/A       N/A  
 
               
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  $ 1,730,753     $ 1,600  
Predecessor Funds’ Investments in Regular Broker-dealers. As of October 31, 2006, the Predecessor Funds owned securities issued by their regular brokers or dealers (or by their parents) as follows:
             
    Broker or Dealer   Type of   Value
Predecessor Fund   (or Parent Company)   Security   (000)
AXA Enterprise Small Company Value Fund
  JPMorgan Chase & Co.   Debt   $  4,118
AXA Enterprise Small Company Growth Fund
  JPMorgan Chase & Co.   Debt   $  3,774
AXA Enterprise International Growth Fund
  JPMorgan Chase&Co.   Debt   $15,673
 
  UBS Securities LLC   Equity   $  3,544
NET ASSET VALUE
     In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each class of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to each class of that Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are valued on each Business

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Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time) or such later time as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
     The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net asset value other than the Fund’s official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, each Fund may compute its net asset value as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.
     Portfolio securities of a Fund for which accurate market quotations are available are valued as follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) will be valued at the last sale price or the official closing price on the exchange or system in which they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day, securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if a closing bid price is not available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the above-mentioned time for determining a Fund’s net asset value, the securities will be valued at the last sale price or official closing price, or if not available at the bid price at the time the net asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued at the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no sale occurs, at the last bid price at the time net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under sections (i) or (ii) including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed-income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or more for which accurate market quotations are readily available will normally be valued according to dealer-supplied bid quotations or bid quotations from a recognized pricing service (e.g., Interactive Data Corp., Merrill Lynch, J.J. Kenny, Muller Data Corp., Bloomberg, EJV, Reuters or Standard & Poor’s); (v) fixed-income securities for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the Investment Advisers based on valuation models that take into account spread and daily yield changes on government securities in the appropriate market (i.e., matrix pricing); (vi) debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued by the Investment Adviser at amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
     The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by any major

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bank or pricing service. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
     Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to the close of business on each Business Day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business Days in New York and days on which the Funds’ net asset values are not calculated. Such calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. For Funds that invest a significant portion of assets in foreign equity securities, “Fair value” prices are provided by an independent fair value service (if available) and are intended to reflect more accurately the value of those securities at the time the Fund’s NAV is calculated. Fair value prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the Funds, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be its fair value on such date.
     The proceeds received by each Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to such Fund or particular series and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund or series. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Funds and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the net asset values of the respective Funds or series except where allocations of expenses can otherwise be fairly made.
     The Trust has adopted a policy to handle certain NAV related errors occurring in the operation of the Funds, and under certain circumstances neither the Funds nor shareholders who purchase or sell shares during periods that errors accrue or occur may be recompensed in connection with the resolution of the error.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
     Each Fund may from time to time quote or otherwise use yield and total return information in advertisements, shareholder reports or sales literature. Average annual total return and yield are computed pursuant to formulas specified by the SEC.
     Thirty-day yield is derived by dividing net investment income earned during the period by the product of the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive dividends during the period and the maximum public offering price per share on the last day of such period. The results are compounded on a bond equivalent (semi-annual) basis and then annualized by assuming that yield is realized each month for twelve months and is reinvested every six months. Net investment income per

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share is equal to the dividends and interest earned during the period, reduced by accrued expenses for the period. The calculation of net investment income for these purposes may differ from the net investment income determined for accounting purposes.
     The distribution rate for a specified period is calculated by annualizing distributions of net investment income for such period and dividing this amount by the net asset value per share or maximum public offering price on the last day of the period.
     Average annual total return (before taxes) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. It also assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period.
     Average annual total return (after taxes on distributions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions but not redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment but further assumes that the redemption has no federal income tax consequences. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the impact of federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is also taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards (i) the effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes).
     Average annual total return (after taxes on distributions and redemptions) for a specified period is derived by calculating the actual dollar amount of the investment return on a $1,000 investment made at the maximum public offering price applicable to the relevant class at the beginning of the period, and then calculating the annual compounded rate of return (after federal income taxes on distributions and redemptions) which would produce that amount, assuming a redemption at the end of the period. This calculation assumes a complete redemption of the investment. This calculation also assumes that all dividends and distributions, less the federal income taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period. In calculating the federal income taxes due on distributions, the federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of each component of the distributions (e.g., ordinary income rate for ordinary income distributions, short-term capital gain rate for short-term capital gain distributions and long-term capital gain rate for

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long-term capital gain distributions). The highest individual marginal federal income tax rate in effect on the reinvestment date is applied to each component of the distributions on the reinvestment date. These tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. The calculation disregards the (i) effect of phase-outs of certain exemptions, deductions and credits at various income levels, (ii) the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax and (iii) the potential tax liabilities other than federal tax liabilities (e.g., state and local taxes). In calculating the federal income taxes due on redemptions, capital gains taxes resulting from a redemption are subtracted from the redemption proceeds and the tax benefits from capital losses resulting from the redemption are added to the redemption proceeds. The highest federal individual capital gains tax rate in effect on the redemption date is used in such calculation. The federal income tax rates used correspond to the tax character of any gains or losses (e.g., short-term or long-term). When the return after taxes on distributions and redemption of shares is higher than returns after taxes on distributions, it is because of realized losses. If realized losses occur upon the sale of shares, capital loss is recorded as a tax benefit which increases returns.
     Year-by-year total return and cumulative total return for a specified period are each derived by calculating the percentage rate required to make a $1,000 investment (made at the maximum public offering price with all distributions reinvested) at the beginning of such period equal to the actual value of such investment at the end of such period. Total return calculations for Class A Shares reflect the effect of paying the maximum initial sales charge. Investment at a lower sales charge would result in higher performance figures. Total return calculations for Class B and Class C Shares reflect deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) imposed upon redemption of Class B and Class C Shares held for the applicable period. Each Fund may also from time to time advertise total return on a cumulative, average, year-by-year or other basis for various specified periods by means of quotations, charts, graphs or schedules. In addition, each Fund may furnish total return calculations based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset value. An after-tax total return for a Fund may be calculated by taking its total return and subtracting applicable federal taxes from the portions of a Fund’s total return attributable to capital gain and ordinary income distributions. This after-tax total return may be compared to that of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives as reported by independent sources. Any performance information which is based on a Fund’s net asset value per Share would be reduced if any applicable sales charge were taken into account. In addition to the above, each Fund may from time to time advertise its performance relative to certain averages, performance rankings, indices, other information prepared by recognized mutual fund statistical services and investments for which reliable performance information is available. The Funds’ performance quotations do not reflect any fees charged by an Authorized Dealer, Service Organization or other financial intermediary to its customer accounts in connection with investments in the Funds.
     Each Fund’s performance will fluctuate, unlike bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future return. Actual performance will depend on such variables as portfolio quality, the type of portfolio instruments acquired, portfolio expenses and other factors. Performance is one basis investors may use to analyze a Fund as compared to other funds and other investment vehicles. However, the performance of other funds and other investment vehicles may not be comparable because of the foregoing variables, and differences in the methods used in valuing their portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and determining performance.

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     Occasionally, statistics may be used to specify Fund volatility or risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare a Fund’s net asset value or performance relative to a market index. One measure of volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a Fund relative to the total market. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market, and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure variability of net asset value or total return around an average, over a specified period of time. The premise is that greater volatility connotes greater risk undertaken in achieving performance.
     A Fund’s performance data will be based on historical results and will not be intended to indicate future performance. A Fund’s total return, yield and distribution rate will vary based on market conditions, portfolio expenses, portfolio investments and other factors. In addition to the Investment Adviser’s decisions regarding issuer/industry/country investment selection and allocation, other factors may affect Fund performance. These factors include, but are not limited to, Fund operating fees and expenses, portfolio turnover, and subscription and redemption cash flows affecting a Fund. The value of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and an investor’s shares may be worth more or less than their original cost upon redemption. Performance may reflect expense limitations in effect. In their absence, performance would be reduced.
     Total return will be calculated separately for each class of shares in existence. Because each class of shares is subject to different expenses, total return with respect to each class of shares of a Fund will differ.
SHARES OF THE TRUST
     The Funds are a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, established by a Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997.
     The Trustees have authority under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes of shares. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Trustees have classified the shares of each of the Funds into five classes: Institutional Shares, Service Shares, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Additional series and classes may be added in the future.
     Each Institutional Share, Service Share, Class A Share, Class B Share and Class C Share of a Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the Fund. All expenses of a Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees under Service and Shareholder Administration Plans are borne exclusively by Service Shares, fees under Distribution and Service Plans are borne exclusively by Class A, Class B or Class C Shares and transfer agency fees and expenses are borne at different rates by different share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the Internal Revenue Service. Each class of shares may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same or an equivalent class of another fund. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” below. In

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addition, the fees and expenses set forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee waivers or reimbursements, as discussed more fully in the Funds’ Prospectuses.
     Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by a Fund under a Plan for services provided to the institution’s customers.
     Service Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts held in the name of an institution that, directly or indirectly, provides certain shareholder administration services and shareholder liaison services to its customers, including maintenance of account records and processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares. Service Shares bear the cost of service fees and shareholder administration fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to Service Shares.
     Class A Shares are sold, with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5%, through brokers and dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “NASD”) and certain other financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares bear the cost of distribution and service fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of such Class A Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Services Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.
     Class B Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 5.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class B Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares. Class B Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B Shares.
     Class C Shares of the Funds are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and dealers who are members of the NASD and certain other financial services firms that have sales arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
     It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares ( i.e. , Institutional, Service, Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares) to its customers and thus receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of each Fund. Dividends paid by each Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same amount, except for differences caused by the fact that the respective transfer agency and Plan fees relating to a particular class will be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending upon the class of shares purchased.

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     Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.
     When issued for the consideration described in the Funds’ Prospectuses, shares are fully paid and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular series or class, to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting off the same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the applicable class of the relevant Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may require shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.
     The Act requires that where more than one series of shares exists, each series must be preferred over all other series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such series. In addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each series in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.
     The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting being referred to as “dollar based voting”). However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.
     The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person’s actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, acting

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on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the series.
     The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the Trust, such series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including (i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series, or class or affecting assets of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or series.
     The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.
     The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i) that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to shareholders.
     The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of the Trust’s shares (the “Series Trustees”). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration of Trust with respect to such Series or Class, but may have no power or authority with respect to any other series or class.
Shareholder and Trustee Liability
     Under Delaware Law, the shareholders of the Funds are not generally subject to liability for the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as a result of

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an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.
     In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the series for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
     The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
TAXATION
     The following is a summary of certain additional U.S. federal income, and certain state and local, tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in each Fund of the Trust that are not described in the Prospectus. This summary does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his own tax adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in each Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this Additional Statement, which are subject to change.
Fund Taxation
     Each Fund is treated as a separate taxable entity. Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify for each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code.
     There are certain tax requirements that each Fund must follow if it is to avoid federal taxation. In their efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Funds may have to limit their investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code requires, among other things, that (1) the Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stocks, securities or currencies, or net income derived from an interest in a

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qualified publicly traded partnership (the “90% gross income test”); and (2) the Fund diversify its holdings so that in general, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the fair market value of the Fund’s total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of such Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or certain publicly traded partnerships.
     For purposes of the 90% gross income test, income that a Fund earns from equity interests in certain entities that are not treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes will generally have the same character for the Fund as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, a Fund may be required to limit its equity investments in any such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other nonqualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions that are not directly related to a Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or entering into foreign currency options, futures and forward or swap contracts for purposes other than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in a Fund’s portfolio or anticipated to be acquired may not qualify as “directly-related” under these tests.
     If a Fund complies with the foregoing provisions, then in any taxable year in which the Fund distributes, in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements, at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable accrued original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, any net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, certain net realized foreign exchange gains and any other taxable income other than “net capital gain,” as defined below, and is reduced by deductible expenses), and at least 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income (if any) over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. If, instead, a Fund retains any investment company taxable income or “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. Because there are some uncertainties regarding the computation of the amounts deemed distributed to Fund shareholders for these purposes – including, in particular, uncertainties regarding the portion, if any, of amounts paid in redemption of Fund shares that should be treated as such distributions – there can be no assurance that each Fund will avoid corporate-level tax in each year.
     If a Fund retains any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (1) if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of that undistributed amount, and (2) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds those liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by the amount of any such undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that amount of net capital gain. Each Fund intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any net

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tax-exempt interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors such as the Strategic International Equity Fund and may therefore make it more difficult for the Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below. The Strategic International Equity Fund generally expects, however, to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy those requirements, from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its taxable income and net capital gain at corporate rates, and its distributions to shareholders will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits.
     To avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for the calendar year, at least 98% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for all previous years that were not distributed for those years and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal income tax purposes, dividends declared by a Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are taxable to such shareholders, and deductible by the Fund, as if paid on December 31 of the year declared. Each Fund anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that it will generally not be required to pay the excise tax.
     For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is generally permitted to carry forward a net capital loss in any year to offset its own capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss.
     Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts, options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by a Fund will be required to be “marked-to-market” for federal income tax purposes — that is, treated as having been sold at their fair market value on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year (or, for excise tax purposes, on the last day of the relevant period). These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into by a Fund, it may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund, and the characterization of gains or losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described in this paragraph may affect the amount, timing and character of a Fund’s distributions to shareholders. Application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and/or these tax rules to certain investment practices, such as dollar rolls, or certain derivatives such as interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars and currency, total return, mortgage or index swaps may be unclear in some respects, and a Fund may therefore be required to limit its participation in those kinds of transactions. Certain tax elections may be available to a Fund to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.

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     Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency transactions and instruments, which may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized by a Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections may be available that would alter this treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the Code were to exceed a Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foreign currency transactions or instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes, with the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of a Fund’s dividends being treated as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.
     A Fund’s investment in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, certain structured securities or other securities bearing original issue discount or, if a Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market discount, as well as any “marked-to-market” gain from certain options, futures or forward contracts, as described above, will in many cases cause it to realize income or gain before the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. For a Fund to obtain cash to enable the Fund to distribute any such income or gain, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and to avoid federal income and excise taxes, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio investments sooner than it might otherwise have done.
     Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for a Fund to the extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to such securities. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will generally need to be addressed by a Fund, if it invests in such securities, in order as to seek to eliminate or minimize any adverse tax consequences.
     If a Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations (“passive foreign investment companies”), that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income, the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from those companies or gain from the sale of stock in those companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but those elections would require the Fund to include each year certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. Each Fund may attempt to limit and/or to manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.

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Foreign Taxes
     Each Fund anticipates that it may be subject to foreign taxes on income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate those foreign taxes in some cases. If, as is anticipated with respect to the Strategic International Equity Fund, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the close of a taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which the shareholders of the Fund will be required (1) to report as dividend income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) their pro rata shares of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund that are treated as income taxes under U.S. tax regulations (which excludes, for example, stamp taxes, securities transaction taxes, and similar taxes) even though not actually received by those shareholders, and (2) to treat those respective pro rata shares as foreign income taxes paid by them, which they can claim either as a foreign tax credit, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income tax liability or as an itemized deduction. (Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of foreign taxes paid by a Fund, although those shareholders will be required to include their share of such taxes in gross income if the foregoing election is made by the Fund.)
     If a shareholder chooses to take credit for the foreign taxes deemed paid by such shareholder as a result of any such election by the Strategic International Equity Fund, the amount of the credit that may be claimed in any year may not exceed the same proportion of the U.S. tax against which such credit is taken which the shareholder’s taxable income from foreign sources (but not in excess of the shareholder’s entire taxable income) bears to his entire taxable income. For this purpose, distributions from long-term and short-term capital gains or foreign currency gains by the Fund will generally not be treated as income from foreign sources. This foreign tax credit limitation may also be applied separately to certain specific categories of foreign-source income and the related foreign taxes. As a result of these rules, which have different effects depending upon each shareholder’s particular tax situation, certain shareholders of the Strategic International Equity Fund may not be able to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by such Fund even if the election is made by that Fund.
     Shareholders who are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes, including retirement plans, other tax-exempt shareholders and non-U.S. shareholders, will ordinarily not benefit from the foregoing Fund election with respect to foreign taxes. Each year, if any, that the Strategic International Equity Fund files the election described above, shareholders will be notified of the amount of (1) each shareholder’s pro rata share of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund and (2) the portion of Fund dividends that represents income from foreign sources. The other Funds will not be entitled to elect to pass foreign taxes and associated credits or deductions through to their shareholders because they will not satisfy the 50% requirement described above. If a Fund cannot or does not make this election, it may deduct its foreign taxes in computing the amount it is required to distribute.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
     The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to “U.S. persons” subject to tax under such law.

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     For distributions attributable to a Fund’s taxable year beginning after December 31, 2007, shareholders who, as to the United States, are not “U.S. persons,” ( i.e. , are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts or estates, foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions treated as ordinary income unless the tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder; but distributions of net capital gain, including amounts retained by a Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains, to such a non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the distributions are effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. Non-U.S. shareholders may also be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on deemed income resulting from any election by the Structured International Equity Fund to treat qualified foreign taxes it pays as passed through to shareholders (as described above), but they may not be able to claim a U.S. tax credit or deduction with respect to such taxes.
     Under current provisions of the Code, for distributions attributable to a Fund’s taxable years beginning before January 1, 2008, non-U.S. shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions attributable to “portfolio interest” or short-term capital gains unless (1) the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder, or (2) with respect to short-term capital gains, the shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. If the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of a shareholder, then distributions will be subject to tax on a net income basis at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. individuals or domestic corporations. Distributions by each Fund that are attributable to short-term capital gains during the above periods will also generally be free of U.S. withholding tax; by contrast, there will be tax withheld with respect to distributions attributable to interest income of the Fund, so that non-U.S. shareholders who are exempt from U.S. federal income tax with respect to all or a portion of those interest-related dividends will need to file U.S. federal income tax returns to claim refunds of those withholding taxes.
     Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
     Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish a Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (i.e., W-8BEN, W-8ECI, W-8IMY or W-8EXP), or an acceptable substitute, may be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate on dividends (including capital gain dividends) and on the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges.
     Also, non-U.S. shareholders of a Fund may be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their Fund shares.
     Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, the Funds.

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State and Local Taxes
     Each Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which the Fund is deemed to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities that impose income taxes, the treatment of such a Fund and its shareholders under those jurisdictions’ tax laws may differ from the treatment under federal income tax laws, and an investment in such a Fund may have tax consequences for shareholders different from those of a direct investment in such Fund’s portfolio securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning state and local tax matters.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     A copy of the Annual Reports (when available) may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of each Fund’s Prospectus. As of the date of this Additional Statement, the Funds had not commenced operations. The Annual Report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007, will become available to Shareholders in October 2007.
PROXY VOTING
     The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting discretion, including the Funds. Under the Policy, the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles in performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that tend to maximize a company’s shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the Investment Adviser’s belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.
     The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. Senior management of the Investment Adviser will periodically review the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles.
Public Equity Investments . To implement these guiding principles for investments in publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser follows proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) developed by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), except in certain circumstances, which are generally described below. The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among others, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations, mergers, and various shareholder proposals. Attached as Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.

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     ISS has been retained to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations in accordance with the Guidelines. While it is the Investment Adviser’s policy generally to follow the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS, the Investment Adviser’s portfolio management teams (“Portfolio Management Teams”) retain the authority on any particular proxy vote to vote differently from the Guidelines or a related ISS recommendation, in keeping with their different investment philosophies and processes. Such decisions, however, remain subject to a review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations from ISS.
     In addition to assisting the Investment Adviser in developing substantive proxy voting positions, ISS also updates and revises the Guidelines on a periodic basis, and the revisions are reviewed by the Investment Adviser to determine whether they are consistent with the Investment Adviser’s guiding principles. ISS also assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services.
     The Investment Adviser is responsible for reviewing its relationship with ISS and for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the various services provided by ISS. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to replace or supplement ISS with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser currently receives from ISS.
     The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures that are intended to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Adviser’s use of ISS as an independent third party, a review and approval process for individual decisions that do not follow ISS’s recommendations, and the establishment of information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Fixed Income and Private Investments . Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by a Fund’s managers based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.
     Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on or through the Funds’ website at http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
     The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized Dealers, Service Organizations and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) from time to time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Funds. These payments (“Additional Payments”) are made out of the Investment Adviser’s, Distributor’s and/or their affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Funds or their shareholders. The Additional Payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees paid by the Funds described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and

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this Additional Statement, and are also in addition to the sales commissions payable to Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectuses.
     These Additional Payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the Funds, which may consist of payments relating to Funds included on preferred or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries’ registered representatives or salespersons, including at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; “finders” or “referral fees” for directing investors to the Funds; marketing support fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares (which may include promotions in communications with the Intermediaries’ customers, registered representatives and salespersons); and/or other specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds. In addition, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments (including through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) for subaccounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services that are in addition to the transfer agent, shareholder administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Funds. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another basis. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable NASD regulations. The amount of these Additional Payments (excluding payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. The Additional Payments are negotiated based on a range of factors, including but not limited to, ability to attract and retain assets (including particular classes of Funds’ shares), target markets, customer relationships, quality of service and industry reputation.
     For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates made Additional Payments out of their own assets to approximately 91 Intermediaries. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates paid to Intermediaries approximately $50.4 million in Additional Payments (excluding payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) with respect to all the funds of the Trust and all of the funds in an affiliated investment company, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust.
     The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may be different for different Intermediaries and may vary with respect to the type of fund (e.g., equity fund, fixed income fund, specialty fund, asset allocation portfolio or money market fund) sold by the Intermediary. In addition, the Additional Payment arrangements may include breakpoints in compensation which provide that the percentage rate of compensation varies as the dollar value of the amount sold or invested through an Intermediary increases. The presence of these Additional Payments, the varying fee structure and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend Funds based, at least in part, on the

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level of compensation paid. Shareholders should contact their Authorized Dealer or other Intermediary for more information about the payments they receive and any potential conflicts of interest.
     Please contact your Intermediary if you have a question about whether your Intermediary receives the Additional Payments described above. For additional questions, please contact Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-621-2550.
OTHER INFORMATION
Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
     The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Investment Adviser have adopted a policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interest of Fund shareholders and to address the conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and its service providers. The policy provides that neither a Fund nor its Investment Adviser, Distributor or any agent, or any employee thereof (“Fund Representative”) will disclose a Fund’s portfolio holdings information to any person other than in accordance with the policy. For purposes of the policy, “portfolio holdings information” means the Fund’s actual portfolio holdings, as well as nonpublic information about its trading strategies or pending transactions. Under the policy, neither a Fund nor any Fund Representative may solicit or accept any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. A Fund Representative may provide portfolio holdings information to third parties if such information has been included in the Fund’s public filings with the SEC or is disclosed on the Funds’ publicly accessible website. Information posted on the Fund’s website may be separately provided to any person commencing the day after it is first published on the Funds’ website.
     Portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or posted on the publicly available website may be provided to third parties only if the third party recipients are required to keep all portfolio holdings information confidential and are prohibited from trading on the information they receive. Disclosure to such third parties must be approved in advance by the Investment Advisor’s legal or compliance department. Disclosure to providers of auditing, custody, proxy voting and other similar services for the Funds, as well as rating and ranking organizations, will generally be permitted; however, information may be disclosed to other third parties (including, without limitation, individuals, institutional investors, and intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund,) only upon approval by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, who must first determine that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and check with the Fund Transfer Agent to ascertain whether the third party has been identified as an excessive trader. In general, each recipient of non-public portfolio holdings information must sign a confidentiality and non-trading agreement, although this requirement will not apply when the recipient is otherwise subject to a duty of confidentiality. In accordance with the policy, the identity of those recipients who receive non-public portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis is as follows: the Investment Advisers and their affiliates, the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, the Funds’ custodian, the Funds’ legal counsel- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, the Funds’ financial printer- Bowne, and the Funds’ proxy voting service- ISS. In addition, certain fixed income funds of the trust provide non-public portfolio holdings information to Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service to allow such funds to be rated by it. These entities are obligated to keep such information confidential. Third party providers of custodial or accounting services to the

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Funds may release non-public portfolio holdings information of the Funds only with the permission of Fund Representatives. From time to time portfolio holdings information may be provided to broker-dealers solely in connection with a Fund seeking portfolio securities trading suggestions. In providing this information reasonable precautions, including limitations on the scope of the portfolio holdings information disclosed, are taken to avoid any potential misuse of the disclosed information. All marketing materials prepared by the Trust’s principal underwriter is reviewed by Goldman Sachs’ Compliance department for consistency with the Trust’s portfolio holdings disclosure policy.
     The Goldman Sachs’ equity funds currently intend to publish on the Trust’s website (http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com) complete portfolio holdings for each equity fund as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. In addition, the Goldman Sachs’ equity funds intend to publish on their website month-end top ten holdings subject to a ten calendar day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. The Goldman Sachs non-money market fixed income Funds currently intend to publish complete portfolio holdings on their website as of the end of each fiscal quarter, subject to a thirty calendar day lag, and to post selected holdings information monthly on a ten calendar day lag. The Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund, Financial Square Money Market Fund, Institutional Liquid Assets Prime Obligations Portfolio and Institutional Liquid Assets Money Market Portfolio publish their holdings as of the end of each month subject to a thirty calendar day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. The other Financial Square Funds and Institutional Liquid Assets money market funds publish their holdings as of the end of each calendar quarter subject to a thirty calendar day lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed. A Fund may publish on the website complete portfolio holdings information more frequently if it has a legitimate business purpose for doing so.
     Under the policy, Fund Representatives will initially supply the Board of the Trustees with a list of third parties who receive portfolio holdings information pursuant to any ongoing arrangement. In addition, the Board is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any other disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the preceding quarter. In addition, the Board of Trustees is to approve at its meetings a list of Fund Representatives who are authorized to disclose portfolio holdings information under the policy. As of the date of this Additional Statement, only certain officers of the Trust as well as certain senior members of the compliance and legal groups of the Investment Adviser have been approved by the Board of Trustees to authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Miscellaneous
     Each Fund will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Each Fund, however, reserves the right to pay redemptions exceeding $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the time of redemption by a distribution in kind of securities (instead of cash) from such Fund. The securities distributed in kind would be readily marketable and would be valued for this purpose using the same method employed in calculating the Fund’s net asset value per share. See “Net Asset Value.” If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.

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     The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by each Fund may be suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for such Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of such Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)
     As stated in the Prospectuses, the Trust may authorize Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to their customers to accept on the Trust’s behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for their services. Certain Service Organizations, Authorized Dealers or institutions may enter into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.
     In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing the Funds’ shares. Instead, the Transfer Agent maintains a record of each shareholder’s ownership. Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the Transfer Agent. Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Funds are reflected in account statements from the Transfer Agent.
     The Prospectuses and this Additional Statement do not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the Prospectuses. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
     Statements contained in the Prospectuses or in this Additional Statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which the Prospectuses and this Additional Statement form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)
      Distribution and Service Plans . As described in the Prospectuses, the Trust has adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares of each Fund, distribution and service plans (each a “Plan”). See “Shareholder Guide — Distribution and Service Fees” in the Prospectus. The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, and finance distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Funds, and enable the Funds to offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class B or Class C Shares when investing in the Funds. In addition, distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Funds in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds’ operations and investments.

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     The Plans for each Fund were most recently approved by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans on June 15, 2006.
     The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.75%, per annum of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, respectively, of such Fund. Under the Plans for Class B and Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee for personal and account maintenance services equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B or Class C Shares. With respect to Class A Shares, the distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on “service fees” imposed by the NASD.
     Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs’ expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and CDSC on Class A, Class B and Class C Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class B and Class C Shares. To the extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds’ Class A, Class B and Class C Shares.
     Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of each Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust will review at least quarterly, a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and expenditures were made.
     The Plans will remain in effect until June 30, 2007 and from year to year thereafter, provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution compensation described therein without approval of a majority of the outstanding Class A, Class B or Class C Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class, but may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to any Fund without payment of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Class A, Class B or Class C Shares, respectively, of the affected Fund and affected share class. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of the Trust and no successor plan was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and their Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholders.

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OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES,
REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS

(Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares Only)
     The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions “Shareholder Guide” and “Dividends.” Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.
Maximum Sales Charges
     Class A Shares of each Fund are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the initial net asset value per share, the maximum offering price of each Fund’s Class A Shares would be as follows:
                         
            Maximum   Offering
    Net Asset   Sales   Price to
    Value   Charge   Public
Structured Small Cap Value
  $ 10.00       5.5 %   $ 10.58  
Structured Small Cap Growth
  $ 10.00       5.5 %   $ 10.58  
Strategic International Equity Fund
  $ 10.00       5.5 %   $ 10.58  
The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor on the purchase of Class A Shares may differ slightly from the sales charge listed above or in a Fund’s Prospectus due to rounding in the calculations. For example, the sales load disclosed above and in the Funds’ Prospectuses is only shown to one decimal place (i.e., 5.5%). The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor will be rounded to two decimal places. As a result of such rounding in the calculations, the actual sales load paid by an investor may be somewhat greater (e.g., 5.53%) or somewhat lesser (e.g., 5.48%) than that listed above or in the Prospectuses. Contact your financial advisor for further information.
Other Purchase Information/Sales Charge Waivers
     The sales charge waivers on the Funds’ shares are due to the nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such investments.
     If shares of a Fund are held in a “street name” account with an Authorized Dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.

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Right of Accumulation (Class A)
     A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase price of the new investment plus the shareholder’s current holdings of existing Class A, Class B or Class C Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of a Fund and Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of $100,000 but less than $250,000). Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Funds and any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In addition, Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Funds and Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar organizations (collectively, “eligible persons”) may be combined for the purpose of determining whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the business organization’s, group’s or firm’s agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Fund’s shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the relevant Fund at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants also invested in Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectus.
Statement of Intention (Class A)
     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $50,000 of Class A Shares of a Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of Intention (the “Statement”). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an “accumulation credit” toward the completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the Transfer Agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.

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     The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are set forth in Appendix D to this Additional Statement.
Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions
     Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of a Fund or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Service Shares of the Prime Obligations Portfolio or the Tax-Exempt Diversified Portfolio, if they hold Class A Shares of a Fund, or ILA Class B or Class C Shares of the Prime Obligations Portfolio, if they hold Class B or Class C Shares of a Fund (the “ILA Portfolios”).
     A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund or ILA Portfolio and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of other Goldman Sachs Funds or ILA Portfolios is available only in states where such reinvestment may legally be made.
Automatic Exchange Program
     A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of a Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund provided the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.
Class C Exchanges
     As stated in the Prospectuses, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75% distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized Dealer’s customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares (which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net asset value without a sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
     A systematic withdrawal plan (the “Systematic Withdrawal Plan”) is available to shareholders of a Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.

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     Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the applicable Fund at net asset value. The Transfer Agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A, Class B or Class C Shares would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A, Class B or Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class A, Class B or Class C Shares redeemed under a systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. See “Shareholder Guide” in the Prospectuses. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.
SERVICE PLAN AND SHAREHOLDER ADMINISTRATION PLAN
(Service Shares Only)
     The Funds have adopted a service plan and a separate shareholder administration plan (the “Plans”) with respect to the Service Shares which authorize the Funds to compensate Service Organizations for providing certain personal and account maintenance services and shareholder administration services to their customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such Shares. Pursuant to the Plans, each Fund enters into agreements with Service Organizations which purchase Service Shares of the Fund on behalf of their customers (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements the Service Organizations may perform some or all of the following services:
     (a) Personal and account maintenance services, including: (i) providing facilities to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with customers and other investors about the status of their accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (ii) acting as liaison between the Service Organization’s customers and the Trust, including obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting errors and resolving problems; (iii) providing such statistical and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust or necessary for the Trust to comply with applicable federal or state law; (iv) responding to investor requests for prospectuses; (v) displaying and making prospectuses available on the Service Organization’s premises; and (vi) assisting customers in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other account options and opening custody accounts with the Service Organization.
     (b) Shareholder administration services, including: (i) acting or arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of the Service Shares beneficially owned by the Service Organization’s customers; (ii) establishing and maintaining, or assist in establishing and maintaining, individual accounts and records with respect to the Service Shares owned by each customer; (iii)

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processing, or assist in processing, confirmations concerning customer orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Service Shares; (iv) receiving and transmitting, or assist in receiving and transmitting funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such Service Shares; (v) facilitating the inclusion of Service Shares in accounts, products or services offered to the Service Organization’s customers by or through the Service Organization; (vi) processing dividend payments on behalf of customers; and (vii) performing other related services which do not constitute “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares” within the meaning of Rule 12b-1 under the Act or “personal and account maintenance services” within the meaning of the NASD’s Conduct Rules.
     As compensation for such services, each Fund will pay each Service Organization a personal and account maintenance service fee and a shareholder administration service fee in an amount up to 0.25% and 0.25%, respectively, (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net assets of the Service Shares of such Fund attributable to or held in the name of such Service Organization.
     The Funds have adopted the Service Plan but not the Shareholder Administration Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act in order to avoid any possibility that service fees paid to the Service Organizations pursuant to the Service Agreements might violate the Act. Rule 12b-1, which was adopted by the SEC under the Act, regulates the circumstances under which an investment company or series thereof may bear expenses associated with the distribution of its shares. In particular, such an investment company or series thereof cannot engage directly or indirectly in financing any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the company unless it has adopted a plan pursuant to, and complies with the other requirements of, such Rule. The Trust believes that fees paid for the services provided in the Service Plan and described above are not expenses incurred primarily for effecting the distribution of Service Shares. However, should such payments be deemed by a court or the SEC to be distribution expenses, such payments would be duly authorized by the Plan. The Shareholder Administration Plan has not been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.
     Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. Service Organizations, including banks regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and investment advisers and other money managers subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, the Department of Labor or state securities commissions, are urged to consult their legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Service Shares of a Fund. In addition, under some state securities laws, banks and other financial institutions purchasing Service Shares on behalf of their customers may be required to register as dealers.
     The Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or the related Service Agreements, most recently voted to approve the Plans and related Service Agreements at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such Plans and Service Agreements on June 15, 2006. The Plans and related Service Agreements will remain in effect until June 30, 2007 and will continue in effect thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved annually by a vote of the Trustees in the manner described above. The Service Plan may not be amended (but the Shareholder Administration Plan may be amended) to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval of the Service Shareholders of the affected Fund and all material amendments of each Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in the manner described above. The Plans may be terminated at any time by a

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majority of the Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the affected Fund’s outstanding Service Shares. The Service Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Trustees as described above or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding Service Shares of the affected Fund on not more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to any other party to the Service Agreements. The Service Agreements will terminate automatically if assigned. So long as the Plans are in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees. The Trustees have determined that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and the holders of Service Shares of the Funds.

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APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Short-Term Credit Ratings
     A Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard & Poor’s for short-term issues:
     “A-1” – Obligations are rated in the highest category and indicate that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
     “A-2” – The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. Obligations are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in the higher rating categories.
     “A-3” – Obligor has adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     “B” – An obligation is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Ratings of “B1”, “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinction within the “B” category.
     “C” – Obligations are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     “D” – Obligations are in payment default. This rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks — Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign Currency issuer ratings are also

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distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
     Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
     Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
     “P-1” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
     “P-2” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
     “P-3” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
     “NP” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
     Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:
     “F1” – Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
     “F2” – Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
     “F3” – Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.
     “B” – Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

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     “C” – Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
     “D” – Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
     “NR” – This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issuer or issue.
     “WD” – This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
     The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (“DBRS”) for commercial paper and short-term debt:
     “R-1 (high)” — Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due. Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an “R-1 (high)” rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an “R-1 (high)”, few entities are strong enough to achieve this rating.
     “R-1 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality and, in most cases, ratings in this category differ from “R-1 (high)” credits by only a small degree. Given the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for the “R-1 (high)” category, entities rated “R-1 (middle)” are also considered strong credits, and typically exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for the timely repayment of short-term liabilities.
     “R-1 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of satisfactory credit quality. The overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios are not normally as favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying negative factors that exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.
     “R-2 (high)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The ability to repay obligations as they mature remains acceptable, although the overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt, and profitability ratios is not as strong as credits rated in the “R-1 (low)” category. Relative to the latter category, other shortcomings often include areas such as stability, financial flexibility, and the relative size and market position of the entity within its industry.
     “R-2 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. Relative to the “R-2 (high)” category, entities rated “R-2 (middle)” typically have some combination of higher volatility, weaker debt or liquidity positions, lower future cash flow capabilities, or are negatively impacted by a weaker industry. Ratings in this category would be more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

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     “R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality, typically having some combination of challenges that are not acceptable for an “R-2 (middle)” credit. However, “R-2 (low)” ratings still display a level of credit strength that allows for a higher rating than the “R-3” category, with this distinction often reflecting the issuer’s liquidity profile.
     “R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality, one step up from being speculative. While not yet defined as speculative, the R-3 category signifies that although repayment is still expected, the certainty of repayment could be impacted by a variety of possible adverse developments, many of which would be outside the issuer’s control. Entities in this area often have limited access to capital markets and may also have limitations in securing alternative sources of liquidity, particularly during periods of weak economic conditions.
     “R-4” – Short-term debt rated R-4 is speculative. R-4 credits tend to have weak liquidity and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative nature, companies with R-4 ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings and cash flow would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.
     “R-5” – Short-tern debt rated R-5 is highly speculative. There is a reasonably high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to repay the obligations on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity. In some cases, short term debt rated R-5 may have challenges that if not corrected, could lead to default.
     “D” – A security rated “D” implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment or the issuer has made it clear that it will be missing such a payment in the near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a “D” rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the “D” rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the rating is suspended, discontinued, or reinstated by DBRS.
Long-Term Credit Ratings
     The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for long-term issues:
     “AAA” – An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
     “AA” – An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
     “A” – An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

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     “BBB” – An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
     “BB” – An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     “B” – An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     “CCC” – An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
     “CC” – An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
     “C” – A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A “C” also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
     “D” – An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
     Plus (+) or minus (-) – The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
     “NR” – This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
     Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks — Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively

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lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
     The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:
     “Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
     “Aa” – Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
     “A” – Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
     “Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
     “Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
     “B” – Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
     “Caa” – Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
     “Ca” – Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
     “C” – Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
     Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from “Aa” through “Caa.” The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
     The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:
     “AAA” – Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
     “AA” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

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     “A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
     “BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that there is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
     “BB” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
     “B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
     “CCC,” “CC” and “C” – Securities have high default risk. Default is a real possibility, and capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A “CC” rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. “C” ratings signal imminent default.
     “RD” – Indicates an entity has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.
     “D” – Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
     Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” category or to categories below “CCC”.
     “NR” indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
     The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:
     “AAA” — Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present which would detract from the performance of the entity. The strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and the entity has established a creditable track record of superior performance. Given the extremely high standard which DBRS has set for this category, few entities are able to achieve a “AAA” rating.
     “AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated “AAA” only to a

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small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the “AAA” category, entities rated “AA” are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
     “A” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of “AA” rated entities. While “A” is a respectable rating, entities in this category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher-rated securities.
     “BBB” – Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality . Protection of interest and principal is considered acceptable, but the entity is fairly susceptible to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adverse conditions present which reduce the strength of the entity and its rated securities.
     “BB” Long-term debt rated “BB” is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in the “BB” range typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification, and competitive strength are additional negative considerations.
     “B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.
     “CCC”, CC” and “C” –Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly speculative and is in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe than long-term debt rated “B.” Long-term debt rated below “B” often have features which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between these three categories, with “CC” and “C” normally used for lower ranking debt of companies for which the senior debt is rated in the “CCC” to “B” range.
     “D” A security rated “D” implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of interest or principal or that the issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a “D” rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the “D” rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the rating is suspended, discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
     (“high”, “low”) – Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories “high” and “low”. The absence of either a “high” or “low” designation indicates the rating is in the “middle” of the category. The “AAA” and “D” categories do not utilize “high”, “middle”, and “low” as differential grades.
Municipal Note Ratings
     A Standard & Poor’s U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:

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    Amortization schedule-the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
 
    Source of payment-the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
     Note rating symbols are as follows:
     “SP-1” – The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a plus (+) designation.
     “SP-2” – The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
     “SP-3” – The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
     Moody’s uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and are divided into three levels – “MIG-1” through “MIG-3”. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated “SG”, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for these short-term obligations:
     “MIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
     “MIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
     “MIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
     “SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
     In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), a two-component rating is assigned; a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or “VMIG” rating.
     When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated “NR”, e.g., “Aaa/NR” or “NR/VMIG-1”.

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     VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.
     “VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
     “VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
     “VMIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
     “SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
     Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term credit ratings.
About Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
Moody’s credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not as statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.
Fitch’s credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of the likelihood of receiving their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested. Fitch’s credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by receivables or other financial assets.
DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its underlying obligations.

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APPENDIX B
2006 ISS PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES SUMMARY
Auditors
Ratifying Auditors
Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless:
    An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;
 
    There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position; or
 
    Fees for non-audit services are excessive.
Board of Directors
Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on director nominees, examining, but not limited to, the following factors:
    Composition of the board and key board committees;
 
    Attendance at board and committee meetings;
 
    Corporate governance provisions and takeover activity;
 
    Disclosures under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
 
    Long-term company performance relative to a market and peer index;
 
    Extent of the director’s investment in the company;
 
    Existence of related party transactions;
 
    Whether the chairman is also serving as CEO;
 
    Whether a retired CEO sits on the board;
 
    Number of outside boards at which a director serves.
WITHHOLD from individual directors who:
    Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (such as illness, service to the nation, work on behalf of the company);
 
    Sit on more than six public company boards;
 
    Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own (withhold only at their outside boards).
WITHHOLD from the entire board (except for new nominees, who should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis) if:
    The company’s poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature. Withhold every year until this feature is removed;
 
    The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval since the beginning of 2005, does not commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of

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      adoption or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a vote and has not yet been withheld from for this issue;
 
    The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval by a majority of the shares outstanding the previous year;
 
    The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years;
 
    The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders tendered their shares;
 
    At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold rate;
 
    A Russell 3000 company underperformed its industry group (GICS group). The test will consist of the bottom performers within each industry group (GICS) based on a weighted average TSR. The weightings are as follows: 20 percent weight on 1-year TSR; 30 percent weight on 3-year TSR; and 50 percent weight on 5-year TSR. Company’s response to performance issues will be considered before withholding.
WITHHOLD from inside directors and affiliated outside directors when:
    The inside or affiliated outside director serves on any of the three key committees: audit, compensation, or nominating;
 
    The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee;
 
    The full board is less than majority independent.
WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:
    The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive;
 
    A material weakness identified in the Section 404 disclosures rises to a level of serious concern; there are chronic internal control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms.
WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee if:
    There is a negative correlation between chief executive pay and company performance;
 
    The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder vote;
 
    The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment they made to shareholders;
 
    The company has poor compensation practices.
WITHHOLD from directors, individually or the entire board, for egregious actions or failure to replace management as appropriate.
Classification/Declassification of the Board
Vote AGAINST proposals to classify the board. Vote FOR proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.
Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring the position of chair be filled by an independent director unless there are compelling reasons to recommend against the proposal, such as a counterbalancing governance structure. This should include all of the following:

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    Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties. (The role may alternatively reside with a presiding director, vice chairman, or rotating lead director; however the director must serve a minimum of one year in order to qualify as a lead director.);
 
    Two-thirds independent board;
 
    All-independent key committees;
 
    Established governance guidelines;
 
    The company does not under-perform its peers.
Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals
Generally vote FOR reasonably crafted shareholders proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors (including binding resolutions requesting that the board amend the company’s bylaws), provided the proposal includes a carve-out for a plurality voting standard when there are more director nominees than board seats (e.g., contested elections). Consider voting AGAINST the shareholder proposal if the company has adopted a formal corporate governance policy that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and provide an adequate response to both new nominees as well as incumbent nominees who fail to receive a majority of votes cast.
At a minimum, a company’s policy should articulate the following elements to adequately address each director nominee who fails to receive an affirmative of majority of votes cast in an election:
    Established guidelines disclosed annually in the proxy statement concerning the process to follow for nominees who receive majority withhold votes;
 
    The policy needs to outline a clear and reasonable timetable for all decision-making regarding the nominee’s status;
 
    The policy needs to specify that the process of determining the nominee’s status will be managed by independent directors and must exclude the nominee in question;
 
    An outline of a range of remedies (for example, acceptance of the resignation, maintaining the director but curing the underlying causes of the withheld votes, etc.);
 
    The final decision on the nominee’s status should be promptly disclosed via an SEC filing. The policy needs to include the timeframe for disclosure and require a full explanation of how the decision was reached.
In addition, the company should articulate to shareholders why its policy is the best structure for demonstrating accountability to shareholders.
Proxy Contests
Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:
    Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
 
    Management’s track record;
 
    Background to the proxy contest;
 
    Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

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    Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;
 
    Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates);
 
    Stock ownership positions.
Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote FOR the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election.
Takeover Defenses
Poison Pills
Vote FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it UNLESS the company has: (1) A shareholder approved poison pill in place; or (2) The company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:
    Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or
 
    The board, in its exercise of its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the delay in adoption that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e. the “fiduciary out” provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a shareholder ratification vote within twelve months of adoption or expire. If the pill is not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately terminate.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for poison pills to be put to a vote within a time period of less than one year after adoption. If the company has no non-shareholder approved poison pill in place and has adopted a policy with the provisions outlined above, vote AGAINST the proposal. If these conditions are not met, vote FOR the proposal, but with the caveat that a vote within twelve months would be considered sufficient.
Vote CASE-by-CASE on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:
    No lower than a 20 percent trigger, flip-in or flip-over;
 
    A term of no more than three years;
 
    No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill;
 
    Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, ten percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Vote AGAINST proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote. Vote FOR proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements.

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Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
     For mergers and acquisitions, evaluate the proposed transaction based on these factors:
    Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable?
 
    Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal?
 
    Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable.
 
    Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s length? Was the process fair and equitable?
 
    Conflicts of interest - Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests.
 
    Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the parties to the transaction?
State of Incorporation
Reincorporation Proposals
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation, taking into consideration both financial and corporate governance concerns, including the reasons for reincorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, comparative economic benefits, and a comparison of the jurisdictional laws. Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.
Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance using a model developed by ISS. Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable increase when a company’s shares are in danger of being delisted or if a company’s ability to continue to operate as a going concern is uncertain. In addition, for capital requests less than or equal to 300 percent of the current authorized shares that marginally fail the calculated allowable cap (i.e., exceed the allowable cap by no more than 5 percent), on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, vote FOR the increase based on the company’s performance and whether the company’s ongoing use of shares has shown prudence.
Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan
Vote AGAINST proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a non-shareholder approved shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

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Preferred Stock
Vote AGAINST proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock). Vote AGAINST proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
Vote FOR proposals to create “de-clawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). Vote FOR proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred shares after analyzing the number of preferred shares available for issue given a company’s industry and performance in terms of shareholder returns.
Executive and Director Compensation
Equity Compensation Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Vote AGAINST the plan if:
    The total cost of the company’s equity plans is unreasonable;
 
    The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options without prior shareholder approval;
 
    There is a disconnect between CEO pay and the company’s performance;
 
    The company’s three year burn rate exceeds the greater of 2 percent and the mean plus 1 standard deviation of its industry group; or
 
    The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices.
Director Compensation
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on compensation plans for non-employee directors, based on the cost of the plans against the company’s allowable cap. Vote for the plan if ALL of the following qualitative factors in the board’s compensation plan are met and disclosed in the proxy statement:
    Stock ownership guidelines with a minimum of three times the annual cash retainer.
 
    Vesting schedule or mandatory holding/deferral period:
  -   A minimum vesting of three years for stock options or restricted stock; or
 
  -   Deferred stock payable at the end of a three-year deferral period.
    A balanced mix between cash and equity. If the mix is heavier on equity, the vesting schedule or deferral period should be more stringent, with the lesser of five years or the term of directorship.
 
    No retirement/benefits and perquisites for non-employee directors; and
 
    A table with a detailed disclosure of the cash and equity compensation for each non-employee director for the most recent fiscal year.
Disclosure of CEO Compensation-Tally Sheet
Companies should provide better and more transparent disclosure related to CEO pay. Consider withhold votes in the future from the compensation committee and voting against equity plans if compensation disclosure is not improved and a tally sheet is not provided.

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Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on qualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR plans if:
    Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;
 
    Offering period is 27 months or less; and
 
    The number of shares allocated to the plan is ten percent or less of the outstanding shares.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans
Vote CASE-by-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR plans with:
    Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees with the exclusion of individuals with 5 percent or more of beneficial ownership of the company);
 
    Limits on employee contribution (a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of base salary);
 
    Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employee’s contribution, which is effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value;
 
    No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company matching contribution.
Option Exchange Programs/Re-pricing Options
Vote CASE-by-CASE on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options, taking into consideration historic trading patterns, rationale for the re-pricing, value-for-value exchange treatment of surrendered options, option vesting, term of the option, exercise price and participation. Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option re-pricing to a shareholder vote.
Severance Agreements for Executives/Golden Parachutes
Vote FOR shareholder proposals to require golden parachutes or executive severance agreements to be submitted for shareholder ratification, unless the proposal requires shareholder approval prior to entering into employment contracts. Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. An acceptable parachute should include:
    A trigger beyond the control of management;
 
    The amount should not exceed three times base amount (defined as the average annual taxable W-2 compensation during the five years prior to the year in which the change of control occurs;
 
    Change-in-control payments should be double-triggered, i.e., (1) after a change in the company’s ownership structure has taken place, and (2) termination of the executive as a result of the change in control.
Corporate Responsibility
Animal Rights
Generally vote AGAINST proposals to phase out the use of animals in product testing unless:
    The company is conducting animal testing programs that are unnecessary or not required by regulation;
 
    The company is conducting animal testing when suitable alternatives are accepted and used at peer firms;

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    The company has been the subject of recent, significant controversy related to its testing programs.
Generally vote FOR proposals seeking a report on the company’s animal welfare standards.
Drug Pricing and Re-importation
Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies implement specific price restraints on pharmaceutical products unless the company fails to adhere to legislative guidelines or industry norms in its product pricing. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting that the company evaluate their product pricing considering:
    The existing level of disclosure on pricing policies;
 
    Deviation from established industry pricing norms;
 
    The company’s existing initiatives to provide its products to needy consumers;
 
    Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions.
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting that companies report on the financial and legal impact of their policies regarding prescription drug re-importation unless such information is already publicly disclosed. Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or constrain prescription drug re-importation.
Genetically Modified Foods
Vote AGAINST proposals asking companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products or alternatively to provide interim labeling and eventually eliminate GE ingredients due to the costs and feasibility of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients.
Tobacco
Most tobacco-related proposals (such as on second-hand smoke, advertising to youth and spin-offs of tobacco-related business) should be evaluated on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Toxic Chemicals
Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that a company discloses its policies related to toxic chemicals. Vote CASE-BY-CASE on resolutions requesting that companies evaluate and disclose the potential financial and legal risks associated with utilizing certain chemicals. Generally vote AGAINST resolutions requiring that a company reformulate its products within a certain timeframe unless such actions are required by law in specific markets.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Generally vote AGAINST request for reports outlining potential environmental damage from drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) unless:
    New legislation is adopted allowing development and drilling in the ANWR region;
 
    The company intends to pursue operations in the ANWR; and
 
    The company has not disclosed an environmental risk report for its ANWR operations.
Concentrated Area Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Vote FOR resolutions requesting that companies report to shareholders on the risks and liabilities associated with CAFOs unless:

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    The company has publicly disclosed guidelines for its corporate and contract farming operations, including compliance monitoring; or
 
    The company does not directly source from CAFOs.
Global Warming and Kyoto Protocol Compliance
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas emissions from company operations and/or products unless this information is already publicly disclosed or such factors are not integral to the company’s line of business. Generally vote AGAINST proposals that call for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by specified amounts or within a restrictive time frame unless the company lags industry standards and has been the subject of recent, significant fines or litigation resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.
Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that companies outline their preparations to comply with standards established by Kyoto Protocol signatory markets unless:
    The company does not maintain operations in Kyoto signatory markets;
 
    The company already evaluates and substantially discloses such information; or,
 
    Greenhouse gas emissions do not significantly impact the company’s core businesses.
Political Contributions
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a company’s political contributions considering: any recent significant controversy or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or governmental affairs; and the public availability of a policy on political contributions. Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions.
Link Executive Compensation to Social Performance
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to review ways of linking executive compensation to social factors, such as corporate downsizings, customer or employee satisfaction, community involvement, human rights, environmental performance, predatory lending, and executive/employee pay disparities.
Outsourcing/Offshoring
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals calling for companies to report on the risks associated with outsourcing, considering: the risks associated with certain international markets; the utility of such a report; and the existence of a publicly available code of corporate conduct that applies to international operations.
Human Rights Reports
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on requests for reports detailing the company’s operations in a particular country and on proposals to implement certain human rights standards at company facilities or those of its suppliers and to commit to outside, independent monitoring.

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Mutual Fund Proxies
Election of Directors
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on the election of directors and trustees, following the same guidelines for uncontested directors for public company shareholder meetings. However, mutual fund boards do not usually have compensation committees, so do not withhold for the lack of this committee.
Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on conversion proposals, considering the following factors:
    Past performance as a closed-end fund;
 
    Market in which the fund invests;
 
    Measures taken by the board to address the discount; and
 
    Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals.
Establish Director Ownership Requirement
Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.
Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When supporting the dissidents, vote FOR the reimbursement of the solicitation expenses.
Terminate the Investment Advisor
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to terminate the investment advisor, considering the following factors:
    Performance of the fund’s net asset value;
 
    The fund’s history of shareholder relations;
 
    The performance of other funds under the advisor’s management.

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APPENDIX C
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
Goldman Sachs is noted for its Business Principles, which guide all of the firm’s activities and serve as the basis for its distinguished reputation among investors worldwide.
      Our client’s interests always come first. Our experience shows that if we serve our clients well, our own success will follow.
      Our assets are our people, capital and reputation. If any of these is ever diminished, the last is the most difficult to restore. We are dedicated to complying fully with the letter and spirit of the laws, rules and ethical principles that govern us. Our continued success depends upon unswerving adherence to this standard.
      We take great pride in the professional quality of our work. We have an uncompromising determination to achieve excellence in everything we undertake. Though we may be involved in a wide variety and heavy volume of activity, we would, if it came to a choice, rather be best than biggest.
      We stress creativity and imagination in everything we do. While recognizing that the old way may still be the best way, we constantly strive to find a better solution to a client’s problems. We pride ourselves on having pioneered many of the practices and techniques that have become standard in the industry.
      We make an unusual effort to identify and recruit the very best person for every job. Although our activities are measured in billions of dollars, we select our people one by one. In a service business, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm.
      We offer our people the opportunity to move ahead more rapidly than is possible at most other places. We have yet to find limits to the responsibility that our best people are able to assume. Advancement depends solely on ability, performance and contribution to the Firm’s success, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other impermissible criterion or circumstance.
      We stress teamwork in everything we do. While individual creativity is always encouraged, we have found that team effort often produces the best results. We have no room for those who put their personal interests ahead of the interests of the Firm and its clients.
      The dedication of our people to the Firm and the intense effort they give their jobs are greater than one finds in most other organizations. We think that this is an important part of our success.
      Our profits are a key to our success. They replenish our capital and attract and keep our best people. It is our practice to share our profits generously with all who helped create them. Profitability is crucial to our future.

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      We consider our size an asset that we try hard to preserve. We want to be big enough to undertake the largest project that any of our clients could contemplate, yet small enough to maintain the loyalty, the intimacy and the esprit de corps that we all treasure and that contribute greatly to our success.
      We constantly strive to anticipate the rapidly changing needs of our clients and to develop new services to meet those needs. We know that the world of finance will not stand still and that complacency can lead to extinction.
      We regularly receive confidential information as part of our normal client relationships. To breach a confidence or to use confidential information improperly or carelessly would be unthinkable.
      Our business is highly competitive, and we aggressively seek to expand our client relationships. However, we must always be fair to competitors and must never denigrate other firms.
      Integrity and honesty are the heart of our business. We expect our people to maintain high ethical standards in everything they do, both in their work for the firm and in their personal lives.

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Goldman, Sachs & Co.’s History of Excellence
1869
Is founded by Marcus Goldman
1882
Becomes a private partnership when Samuel Sachs joins the firm
1896
Joins New York Stock Exchange
1906
Takes Sears public
1925
Finances Warner Brothers to develop sound in movies
1933-69
Senior Partner Sidney J. Weinberg serves as adviser to five presidents: Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson
1956
Co-manages Ford’s initial public offering, the largest IPO to date
1985
Senior Partner John C. Whitehead named Deputy Secretary of State
1986
Takes Microsoft public
1988
Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) is established, formalizing the asset management capability that Goldman Sachs initiated in 1981 by managing money market funds for institutional clients; 50 employees
1995
Senior Partner Robert E. Rubin named Treasury Secretary
1996
GSAM acquires CIN Management ($23 B)
1997
Launches web site that delivers trading ideas, research reports, and analytical tools to clients worldwide
GSAM acquires Commodities Corp. ($1.6 B in hedge fund assets); Acquires Liberty Investment Management ($6B in growth assets)
1998
Takes ebay public

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1999
Goldman, Sachs & Co. becomes a public company
2001
GSAM assets under management pass $300B mark
2002
Advises and services 45% of the Forbes 400 1
Growth Team is awarded the year’s single largest U.S. institutional mandate
2003
Acquires The Ayco Company, L.P.; Announces it will combine Australian operation with JBWere to form Goldman Sachs JBWere
2006
May 2006 – Goldman Sachs celebrates 25 years in the money fund industry
GSAM assets under management total approximately $575B; 1,100 professionals worldwide
1.   Source: Forbes.com, October 2003. Reprinted by permission of Forbes Magazine© 2004 Forbes Inc.

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APPENDIX D
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
(applicable only to Class A Shares)
     If a shareholder anticipates purchasing within a 13-month period Class A Shares of the Fund alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund in the amount of $100,000 or more, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional shares, as well as any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will not apply toward the completion of the Statement of Intention.
     To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased. Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investor’s purchases within 13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement
     Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of shares registered in the investor’s name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be notified and the escrowed shares will be released.
     If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the Transfer Agent.

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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits
     The following exhibits relating to Goldman Sachs Trust are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Goldman Sachs Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 000950130-95-002856); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-96-004931); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-97-000573); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-97-000805); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-97-0001846); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-97-004495); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to such Registration Statement (Accession No 0000950130-98-000676); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-98-002160); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-98-003563); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-98-004845); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-98-005275); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-000178); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-000742); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-001069); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-002212); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-99-002544); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-99-003474); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-99-004208); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-99-006810); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-99-004538) (no exhibits filed as part of this Amendment); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-00-000099) (no exhibits filed as part of this Amendment); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-00-001365); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002072); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002509); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-00-003033); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950130-00-003405); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500123); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500156); to Post-Effective

 


 

Amendment No. 70 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-01-000419); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500094); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-002026); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-003780); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-006143); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-006151); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-007177); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011988); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-03-001754); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-03-004262); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-03-009618); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to such Registration Statement (Accession No. 0000950123-04-003073); to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 relating to the Registrant’s acquisition of the Golden Oak ® Family of Funds (“Acquisition”) (Accession No. 0000950123-04-008643); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 0000950123-04-004668) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 0000950123-05-007490); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 0000950123-05-011442); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-05-015341); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-001985); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-002378); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-005419); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-007014); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-008041); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-012408); to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-012620); and to Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (0000950123-06-015465).
         
 
  (a)(1).   Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-000573).

2


 

         
 
  (a)(2).   Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1997 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-004495).
 
       
 
  (a)(3).   Amendment No. 2 dated July 21, 1997 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-004495).
 
       
 
  (a)(4).   Amendment No. 3 dated October 21, 1997 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (a)(5).   Amendment No. 4 dated January 28, 1998 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (a)(6).   Amendment No. 5 dated April 23, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-004845).
 
       
 
  (a)(7).   Amendment No. 6 dated July 22, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-004845).
 
       
 
  (a)(8).   Amendment No. 7 dated November 3, 1998 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
       
 
  (a)(9).   Amendment No. 8 dated January 22, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-000742).
 
       
 
  (a)(10).   Amendment No. 9 dated April 28, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-99-002544).
 
       
 
  (a)(11).   Amendment No. 10 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294).
 
       
 
  (a)(12).   Amendment No. 11 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294).

3


 

         
 
  (a)(13).   Amendment No. 12 dated October 26, 1999 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-004208).
 
       
 
  (a)(14).   Amendment No. 13 dated February 3, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
       
 
  (a)(15).   Amendment No. 14 dated April 26, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002509).
 
       
 
  (a)(16).   Amendment No. 15 dated August 1, 2000 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500123).
 
       
 
  (a)(17).   Amendment No. 16 dated January 30, 2001 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).
 
       
 
  (a)(18).   Amendment No. 17 dated April 25, 2001 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
       
 
  (a)(19).   Amendment No. 18 dated July 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
       
 
  (a)(20).   Amendment No. 19 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
       
 
  (a)(21).   Amendment No. 20 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
       
 
  (a)(22).   Amendment No. 21 dated January 29, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-001754).
 
       
 
  (a)(23).   Amendment No. 22 dated July 31, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
       
 
  (a)(24).   Amendment No. 23 dated October 30, 2003 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).

4


 

         
 
  (a)(25).   Amendment No. 24 dated May 6, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-008643).
 
       
 
  (a)(26).   Amendment No. 25 dated April 21, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
       
 
  (a)(27).   Amendment No. 26 dated November 4, 2004 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
       
 
  (a)(28).   Amendment No. 27 dated February 10, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123- 05-007490).
 
       
 
  (a)(29).   Amendment No. 28 dated May 12, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459).
 
       
 
  (a)(30).   Amendment No. 29 dated June 16, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459).
 
       
 
  (a)(31).   Amendment No. 30 dated August 4, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1977. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459)
 
       
 
  (a)(32).   Amendment No. 32 dated December 31, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997 (Accession No. 0000950123-05-015341).
 
       
 
  (a)(33).   Amendment No. 31 dated November 2, 2005 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-007014).
 
       
 
  (a)(34).   Amendment No. 33 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-007014).
 
       
 
  (a)(35).   Amendment No. 34 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-007014).
 
       
 
  (a)(36).   Amendment No. 36 dated June 15, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-010686).

5


 

         
 
  (a)(37).   Amendment No. 35 dated May 11, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-008041).
 
       
 
  (a)(38).   Amendment No. 37 dated August 10, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
       
 
  (a)(39).   Amendment No. 38 dated November 9, 2006 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
       
 
  (b)(1).   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Delaware business trust dated January 28, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-000573).
 
       
 
  (b)(2).   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Delaware business trust dated January 28, 1997 as amended and restated July 27, 1999. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294).
 
       
 
  (b)(3).   Amended and Restated By-laws of the Delaware business trust dated January 28, 1997 as amended and restated October 30, 2002. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
       
 
  (b)(4).   Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws of the Delaware business trust dated January 28, 1997 as amended and restated October 30, 2002. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
       
 
  (b)(5).   Amendment No. 1 dated November 4, 2004 to Amended and Restated By- Laws of the Delaware business trust dated January 28, 1997 as amended and restated October 30, 2002. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-007490).
 
       
 
  (c).   Article II, Section 10, Article IV, Section 3, Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article IX, Section 8 and Section 9 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (a)(1) and Article III of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws incorporated by reference as Exhibit (b)(3).
 
       
 
  (d)(1).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (d)(2).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).

6


 

         
 
  (d)(3).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (d)(4).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (d)(5).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between the Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (d)(6).   Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Goldman Sachs Fund Management L.P. and Goldman, Sachs Asset Management International. (Accession No. 0000950109-98-005275).
 
       
 
  (d)(7).   Management Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000676).
 
       
 
  (d)(8).   Amended Annex A to Management Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Conservative Strategy Portfolio) (Accession No. 0000950130-99-000742).
 
       
 
  (d)(9).   Amended Annex A dated April 28, 1999 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-99-002544).
 
       
 
  (d)(10).   Amended Annex A dated July 27, 1999 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294).
 
       
 
  (d)(11).   Amended Annex A dated October 26, 1999 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950130-99-004208).
 
       
 
  (d)(12).   Amended Annex A dated February 3, 2000 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-001365).
 
       
 
  (d)(13).   Amended Annex A dated April 26, 2000 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002509).
 
       
 
  (d)(14).   Amended Annex A dated January 30, 2001 to Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500094).

7


 

         
 
  (d)(15).   Amended Annex A dated April 25, 2001 to Management Agreement, dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
       
 
  (d)(16).   Amended Annex A dated August 1, 2002 to Management Agreement, dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
       
 
  (d)(17).   Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (With respect to the Goldman Sachs Short-Duration Tax-Free Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054).
 
       
 
  (d)(18).   Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (With respect to the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054).
 
       
 
  (d)(19).   Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (With respect to the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income, Equity, Specialty and Money Market Funds). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054).
 
       
 
  (d)(20).   Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (With respect to the Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054).
 
       
 
  (d)(21).   Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (With respect to the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Funds). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-007054).
 
       
 
  (d)(22).   Amended Annex A dated July 31, 2003 to the Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-009618).
 
       
 
  (d)(23).   Amended Annex A dated October 30, 2003 to the Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
       
 
  (d)(24).   Amended Annex A dated November 2, 2005 to the Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459).
 
       
 
  (d)(25).   Amended Annex A dated November 12, 2005 to the Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-014459).

8


 

     
(d)(26).
  Amended Annex A dated November 9, 2006 to the Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(27).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated January 1, 2005 among Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Asset Management International and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Capital Growth, CORE Large Cap Growth, CORE U.S. Equity and International Growth Opportunities Funds. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-007490).
 
   
(d)(28).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 25, 2005 among Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Asset Management International and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Government Income and Global Income and Funds. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-007490).
 
   
(d)(29).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated April 29, 2005 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-007490).
 
   
(d)(30).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated April 29, 2005 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Aggressive Growth Strategy, Balanced Strategy, Growth and Income Strategy and Growth Strategy Portfolios. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-007490).
 
   
(d)(31).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short Duration Tax-Free Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(32).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Core Fixed Income Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(33).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short Duration Government Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(34).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(35).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated February 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the

9


 

     
 
  Enhanced Income Fund, Global Income fund, Government Income Fund, Municipal Income Fund, Investment Grade Credit Fund, U.S. Mortgages Fund, High Yield Fund, High Yield Municipal Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(d)(36).
  Fee Reduction Commitment dated April 28, 2006 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Balanced Fund, CORE Large Cap Value Fund, Growth and Income Fund, Real Estate Securities Fund, Asia Growth Fund, CORE International Equity Fund, CORE U.S. Equity Fund, CORE Large Cap Growth Fund, European Equity Fund, International Equity Fund, Large Cap Value Fund, Strategic Growth Fund, Research Select Fund, CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund, Tollkeeper Fund, Concentrated Growth Fund, Japanese Equity Fund, CORE Small Cap Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Fund, International Growth Opportunities Fund, Mid-Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Fund and Growth Opportunities Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(e)(1).
  Distribution Agreement dated April 30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(e)(2).
  Amended Exhibit A dated November 9, 2006 to the Distribution Agreement dated April 30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-015465).
 
   
(f).
  Not applicable.
 
   
(g)(1).
  Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950130-95-002856).
 
   
(g)(2).
  Custodian Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, filed as Exhibit 8(a). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(3).
  Letter Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the fees payable by Registrant pursuant to the Custodian Agreement, filed as Exhibit 8(b). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(4).
  Amendment dated May 28, 1981 to the Custodian Agreement referred to above as Exhibit (g)(2). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).

10


 

     
(g)(5).
  Fee schedule relating to the Custodian Agreement between Registrant on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-004495).
 
   
(g)(6).
  Letter Agreement dated June 14, 1984 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman
Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to a change in wire charges under the Custodian Agreement, filed as Exhibit 8(d). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(7).
  Letter Agreement dated March 29, 1983 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the latter’s designation of Bank of America, N.T. and S.A. as its subcustodian and certain other matters, filed as Exhibit 8(f). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(8).
  Letter Agreement dated March 21, 1985 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the creation of a joint repurchase agreement account, filed as Exhibit 8(g). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(9).
  Letter Agreement dated November 7, 1985, with attachments, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, authorizing State Street Bank and Trust Company to permit redemption of units by check, filed as Exhibit 8(h). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(10).
  Money Transfer Services Agreement dated November 14, 1985, including attachment, between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs - Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to transfers of funds on deposit with State Street Bank and Trust Company, filed as Exhibit 8(i). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(11).
  Letter Agreement dated November 27, 1985 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, amending the Custodian Agreement. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(12).
  Letter Agreement dated July 22, 1986 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman
Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to a change in wire charges. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(13).
  Letter Agreement dated June 20, 1987 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman
Sachs — Institutional

11


 

     
 
  Liquid Assets, amending the Custodian Agreement. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(14).
  Letter Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets, pertaining to the latter’s designation of Security Pacific National Bank as its subcustodian and certain other matters. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(15).
  Amendment dated July 19, 1988 to the Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(16).
  Amendment dated December 19, 1988 to the Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, on behalf of Goldman Sachs — Institutional Liquid Assets. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(g)(17).
  Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company on behalf of Goldman Sachs Capital Growth Fund. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(g)(18).
  Sub-Custodian Agreement dated March 29, 1983 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and Bank of America, National Trust and Savings Association on behalf of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(g)(19).
  Fee schedule dated January 8, 1999 relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Conservative Strategy Portfolio). (Accession No. 0000950130-99-000742).
 
   
(g)(20).
  Fee schedule dated April 12, 1999 relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Strategic Growth and Growth Opportunities Portfolios). (Accession No. 0000950109-99-002544).
 
   
(g)(21).
  Fee schedule dated July 19, 1999 relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Internet Tollkeeper Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-99-005294).
 
   
(g)(22).
  Fee schedule dated October 1, 1999 relating to the Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust

12


 

     
 
  Company (Large Cap Value Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-99-006810).
 
   
(g)(23).
  Fee schedule dated January 12, 2000 relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(24).
  Fee schedule dated January 6, 2000 relating to Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (High Yield Municipal Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(25).
  Fee schedule dated April 14, 2000 relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Research Select Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002509).
 
   
(g)(26).
  Fee schedule dated April 14, 2000 relating to Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Enhanced Income Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-00-002509).
 
   
(g)(27).
  Additional Portfolio Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(28).
  Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated December 27, 1978. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(29).
  Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(30).
  Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991. (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(g)(31).
  Letter Agreement dated January 29, 2001 relating to Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Global Consumer Growth Fund, Global Financial Services Fund, Global Health Sciences Fund, Global Infrastructure and Resources Fund and Global Technology Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).

13


 

     
(g)(32).
  Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(g)(33).
  Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(g)(34).
  Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(g)(35).
  Form of amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated December 27, 1978 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(g)(36).
  Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-02-003780).
 
   
(g)(37).
  Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company (Accession No. 0000950123-02-003780).
 
   
(g)(38).
  Letter Amendment dated May 15, 2002 to the Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
   
(g)(39).
  Global Custody Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is filed herewith.
 
   
(h)(1).
  Wiring Agreement dated June 20, 1987 among Goldman, Sachs & Co., State Street Bank and Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(h)(2).
  Letter Agreement dated June 20, 1987 regarding use of checking account between Registrant and The Northern Trust Company. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-000965).
 
   
(h)(3).
  Transfer Agency Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Accession No. 0000950130-95-002856).
 
   
(h)(4).
  Transfer Agency Agreement dated May 1, 1988 between Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).

14


 

     
(h)(5).
  Transfer Agency Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the Financial Square Funds. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(h)(6).
  Transfer Agency Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between GS-Capital Growth Fund, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(h)(7).
  Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(h)(8).
  Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Administrative Class, Service Class and Cash Management Class of Goldman Sachs - Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(h)(9).
  Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the FST Shares, FST Preferred Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Service Shares of Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds. (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(h)(10).
  Fee schedule relating to Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of all Funds other than ILA and FST money market funds. (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).
 
   
(h)(11).
  Fee schedule relating to Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the ILA portfolios. (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).
 
   
(h)(12).
  Form of Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Select Class, the Preferred Class, the Administration Class, the Service Class and the Cash Management Class, as applicable, of Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds, Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds, Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios. (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).
 
   
(h)(13).
  Form of fee schedule relating to Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of the Cash Portfolio (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(h)(14).
  Form of Account Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to Institutional Shares of Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund

15


 

     
 
  and Investment Grade Credit Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(h)(15).
  Form of Account Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust relating to Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(h)(16).
  Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Administration Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(17).
  Goldman Sachs Cash Management Shares Service Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004 (Accession No. 0000950123-06-001985).
 
   
(h)(18).
  Goldman Sachs FST Select Class Select Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(19).
  Goldman Sachs FST Administration Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(20).
  Goldman Sachs FST Preferred Class Preferred Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(21).
  Goldman Sachs Administration Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(22).
  Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(23).
  Goldman Sachs Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(24).
  Goldman Sachs Cash Portfolio Administration Class Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(25).
  Goldman Sachs Cash Portfolio Preferred Class Preferred Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(26).
  Goldman Sachs FST Capital Administration Class Capital Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).

16


 

     
(h)(27).
  Goldman Sachs Account Service Plan for Institutional Shares amended and restated as of February 4, 2004 (U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(28).
  Goldman Sachs Account Service Plan for Class A Shares amended and restated as of February 4, 2004 (U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(29).
  Goldman Sachs FST Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(h)(30)
  Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. is filed herewith.
 
   
(i)(1).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. (With respect to the Asset Allocation Portfolios). (Accession No. 0000950130-97-004495).
 
   
(i)(2).
  Opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. (Accession No. 0000950130-97-001846).
 
   
(i)(3).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. (With respect to Japanese Equity and International Small Cap). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-003563).
 
   
(i)(4).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. (With respect to Cash Management Shares). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-003563).
 
   
(i)(5).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. (With respect to the European Equity Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(i)(6).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. (With respect to the CORE Large Cap Value Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-98-006081).
 
   
(i)(7).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Conservative Strategy Portfolio). (Accession No. 0000950130-99-001069).
 
   
(i)(8).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Strategic Growth and Growth Opportunities Portfolios). (Accession No. 0000950109-99-002544).
 
   
(i)(9).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Internet Tollkeeper Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-99-004208).

17


 

     
(i)(10).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Large Cap Value Fund). (Accession No. 0000950130-99-006810).
 
   
(i)(11).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to FST Select Shares). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-000585).
 
   
(i)(12).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the High Yield Municipal Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-001365).
 
   
(i)(13).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the CORE Tax-Managed Equity Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-001365).
 
   
(i)(14).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Research Select Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500123).
 
   
(i)(15).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Enhanced Income Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500123).
 
   
(i)(16).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to Cash Management Shares of certain ILA Portfolios). (Accession No. 0000950109-00-500123).
 
   
(i)(17).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to Global Consumer Growth Fund, Global Financial Services Fund, Global Health Sciences Fund, Global Infrastructure and Resources Fund and Global Technology Fund). (Accession No. 0000950109-01-500540).
 
   
(i)(18).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to all outstanding Funds and share classes) (Accession No. 0000950123-01-509514).
 
   
(i)(19).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to Financial Square Funds). (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
   
(i)(20).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (With respect to the Concentrated Growth Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-02-011711).
 
   
(i)(21).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Emerging Markets Debt Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(i)(22).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the U.S. Mortgages Fund and Investment Grade Credit Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(i)(23).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Small/Mid-Cap Growth Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-011442).

18


 

     
(i)(24).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-03-011442).
 
   
(i)(25).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the California Intermediate AMT-Free Municipal Fund and New York AMT-Free Municipal Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-001985).
 
   
(i)(26).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Tennessee Municipal Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-008041).
 
   
(i)(27).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Structured U.S. Equity Flex Fund and Structured International Equity Flex Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-012408).
 
   
(i)(28).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the BRIC Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-012408).
 
   
(i)(29).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the International Real Estate Securities Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-012408).
 
   
(i)(30).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Core Plus Fixed Income Fund – Class B Shares, Core Plus Fixed Income Fund – Service Shares and Enhanced Income Fund – B Shares). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-012620).
 
   
(i)(31).
  Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (with respect to the Commodity Exposure Fund). (Accession No. 0000950123-06-014890).
 
   
(j).
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is filed herewith.
 
   
(k).
  Not applicable.
 
   
(l).
  Not applicable.
 
   
(m)(1).
  Class A Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of May 5, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
   
(m)(2).
  Class B Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(m)(3).
  Class C Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).
 
   
(m)(4).
  Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 amended and restated as of February 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-002212).

19


 

     
(n)(1).
  Revised plan dated October 30, 2003 entered into by Registrant pursuant to Rule 18f-3. (Accession No. 0000950123-03-013727).
 
   
(p)(1).
  Code of Ethics – Goldman Sachs Trust and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust dated April 23, 1997, as amended November 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
   
(p)(2).
  Code of Ethics – Goldman, Sachs & Co., Goldman Sachs Asset Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, effective January 23, 1991, as revised November 4, 2004. (Accession No. 0000950123-04-015178).
 
   
(q)(1).
  Powers of Attorney of Messrs. Bakhru, Coblentz, Harker, Shuch and Strubel, and Mmes. McPherson, Smelcer and Uniacke. (Accession No. 0000950123-05-015341).
 
   
(q)(2).
  Power of Attorney of John M. Perlowski. (Accession No. 0000950123-06-002378).
Item 24.   Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant .
Not Applicable.
Item 25.   Indemnification
Article IV of the Declaration of Trust of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, provides for indemnification of the Trustees, officers and agents of the Trust, subject to certain limitations. The Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1).
The Management Agreement with each of the Funds (other than the ILA Portfolios) provides that the applicable Investment Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser or from reckless disregard by the Investment Adviser of its obligations or duties under the Management Agreement. Section 7 of the Management Agreement with respect to the ILA Portfolios provides that the ILA Portfolios will indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities; provided, however, that such indemnification does not apply to any loss by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligation under the Management Agreement. The Management Agreements are incorporated by reference to Exhibits (d)(1) through (d)(7).
Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Goldman Sachs dated April 30, 1997, as amended October 30, 2003 and Section 7 of the Transfer Agency Agreements between the Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co. dated July 15, 1991, May 1, 1988, April 30,

20


 

1997 and April 6, 1990 each provide that the Registrant will indemnify Goldman, Sachs & Co. against certain liabilities. A copy of the Distribution Agreement is included herewith as Exhibit (e)(1). The Transfer Agency Agreements are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (h)(3), (h)(4), (h)(5) and (h)(6), respectively, to the Registrant’s Registration Statement.
Mutual fund and Trustees and officers liability policies purchased jointly by the Registrant, Trust for Credit Unions, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and The Commerce Funds insure such persons and their respective trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies’ coverage limits and exclusions and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.

21


 

Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser .
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (“GSAM LP”) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (“GSAMI”) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and serve as investment advisers to the Registrant. Set forth below are the names, businesses and business addresses of certain managing directors of GSAM LP and GSAMI who are engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.
         
Name and Position with   Name and Address of   Connection with
the Investment Advisers   Other Company   Other Company
Robert J. Hurst
  The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   Vice Chairman and
Managing Director-
  85 Broad Street   Director
GSAM LP
  New York, New York 10004    
 
       
 
  Goldman, Sachs & Co.    
 
  85 Broad Street   Managing Director
 
  New York, New York 10004    
 
       
Lloyd C. Blankfein
  The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   Chairman, Chief
Managing Director-
  85 Broad Street   Executive Officer and
GSAM LP
  New York, New York 10004   Director
 
       
 
  Goldman, Sachs & Co.   Managing Director
 
  85 Broad Street    
 
  New York, New York 10004    

22


 

Item 27. Principal Underwriters .
(a) Goldman, Sachs & Co. or an affiliate or a division thereof currently serves as distributor of the units of Trust for Credit Unions, for shares of Goldman Sachs Trust and for shares of Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust. Goldman, Sachs & Co., or a division thereof currently serves as administrator and distributor of the units or shares of The Commerce Funds.
(b) Set forth below is certain information pertaining to the Managing Directors of Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Registrant’s principal underwriter, who are members of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.’s Management Committee. None of the members of the management committee holds a position or office with the Registrant.
GOLDMAN SACHS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
     
Name and Principal    
Business Address   Position with Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Lloyd C. Blankfein (1)
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Alan M. Cohen (5)
  Global Head of Compliance, Managing Director
Gary D. Cohn (1)
  Managing Director
Christopher A. Cole (1)
  Managing Director
J. Michael Evans (5)
  Managing Director
Edward C. Forst (1)
  Managing Director
Richard A. Friedman (1)
  Managing Director
Richard J. Gnodde (8)
  Managing Director
Suzanne M. Nora Johnson (5)
  Managing Director
Scott B. Kapnick (3)
  Managing Director
Kevin W. Kennedy (1)
  Managing Director
Peter S. Kraus (5)
  Managing Director
Masanori Mochida (6)
  Managing Director
Thomas K. Montag (5)
  Managing Director
Gregory K. Palm (1)
  General Counsel and Managing Director
John F.W. Rogers (1)
  Managing Director
Eric S. Schwartz (5)
  Managing Director
Michael S. Sherwood (7)
  Managing Director
David M. Solomon (5)
  Managing Director
Esta Stecher (5)
  General Counsel and Managing Director
David A. Viniar (4)
  Managing Director
John S. Weinberg (1)
  Managing Director
Jon Winkelried (3)
  Managing Director
 
(1)   85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
 
(2)   32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005
 
(3)   Peterborough Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BB, England
 
(4)   10 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10005

23


 

(5)   One New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004
 
(6)   12-32, Akasaka I-chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 107-6006, Japan
 
(7)   River Court, 120 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2QQ, England
 
(8)   Cheung Kong Center, 68 th Floor, 2 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong, China
(c) Not Applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records .
The Declaration of Trust, By-laws and minute books of the Registrant and certain investment adviser records are in the physical possession of GSAM LP, 32 Old Slip, New York, New York 10005. All other accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained under Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the physical possession of State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 1713, Boston, Massachusetts 02105 and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017 except for certain transfer agency records which are maintained by Goldman, Sachs & Co., 71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Item 29. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not applicable.

24


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City and State of New York on the 19th day of January, 2007.
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(A Delaware statutory trust)
         
By:
  /s/ Peter V. Bonanno
 
   
 
  Peter V. Bonanno    
 
  Secretary    
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to said Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
         
Name   Title   Date
 
       
1 Kaysie P. Uniacke
 
Kaysie P. Uniacke
  President (Chief Executive Officer)   January 19, 2007
 
       
1 John M. Perlowski
 
John M. Perlowski
  Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer)   January 19, 2007
 
       
1 Mary Patterson McPherson
 
Mary Patterson McPherson
  Trustee    January 19, 2007
 
       
1 Ashok N. Bakhru
 
Ashok N. Bakhru
  Chairman and Trustee    January 19, 2007
 
       
1 Alan A. Shuch
 
Alan A. Shuch
  Trustee    January 19, 2007
 
       
1 Richard P. Strubel
 
Richard P. Strubel
  Trustee    January 19, 2007
 
       
1 Patrick T. Harker
 
Patrick T. Harker
  Trustee    January 19, 2007

25


 

         
Name   Title   Date
 
       
1 John P. Coblentz, Jr.
 
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
  Trustee    January 19, 2007
         
By:
  /s/ Peter V. Bonanno
 
   
 
  Peter V. Bonanno,    
 
  Attorney-In-Fact    
 
1.   Pursuant to a power of attorney previously filed.

26


 

CERTIFICATE
     The undersigned Secretary for Goldman Sachs Trust (the “Trust”) hereby certifies that the Board of Trustees of the Trust duly adopted the following resolution at a meeting of the Board held on June 15, 2006.
           RESOLVED , that the Trustees and Officers of the Trusts who may be required to execute any amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute a power of attorney appointing Peter Bonanno, James A. Fitzpatrick, James McNamara and John W. Perlowski, jointly and severally, their attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, for said Trustees and Officers in any and all capacities to sign the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 of the Trusts and any and all amendments to such Registration Statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, the Trustees and Officers hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated: January 19, 2007
         
     
  /s/ Peter V. Bonanno    
  Peter V. Bonanno,   
  Secretary   
 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
(g)(39).
  Global Custody Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
   
(h)(30)
  Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co.
 
   
(j)
  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

 

Exhibit (g)(39)
(JPMORGAN LOGO)
Execution Copy
GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
     
 
  June 30, 2006

 


 

GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
    5  
 
       
1.1 Intention of the Parties
    5  
1.2 Definitions
    5  
 
       
2. WHAT BANK IS REQUIRED TO DO
    7  
 
       
2.1 Set Up Accounts
    7  
2.2 Cash Account
    8  
2.3 Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name
    8  
2.4 Settlement of Trades
    9  
2.5 Contractual Settlement Date Accounting
    9  
2.6 Actual Settlement Date Accounting
    10  
2.7 Income Collection (Autocredit â )
    10  
2.8 Certain Ministerial Acts
    10  
2.9 Corporate Actions
    11  
2.10 Proxies
    12  
2.11 Statements
    13  
2.12 Access to Bank’s Records
    14  
2.13 Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations
    14  
2.14 Tax Reclaims
    14  
2.15 Foreign Exchange Transactions
    14  
2.16 Service Level Agreement
    15  
2.17 Supervision
    15  
 
       
3. INSTRUCTIONS
    15  
 
       
3.1 Acting on Instructions; Unclear Instructions
    15  
3.2 Confirmation of Oral Instructions/ Security Devices
    15  
3.3 Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
    16  
3.4 Cut-off Times
    16  
 
       
4. FEES EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO BANK
    16  
 
       
4.1 Fees and Expenses
    16  
4.2 Overdrafts
    16  

2


 

         
5. SUBCUSTODIANS, SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES AND OTHER AGENTS
    17  
 
       
5.1 Appointment of Subcustodians
    17  
5.2 Liability for Subcustodians
    17  
5.3 Use of Agents
    18  
 
       
6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUSTOMER
    18  
 
       
6.1 Representations of Customer and Bank
    18  
6.2 Customer to Provide Certain Information to Bank
    19  
6.3 Customer is Liable to Bank Even if it is Acting for Another Person
    19  
 
       
7. WHEN BANK IS LIABLE TO CUSTOMER
    19  
 
       
7.1 Standard of Care; Liability
    19  
7.2 Force Majeure
    21  
7.3 Bank Can Consult With Counsel
    21  
7.4 Bank Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
    21  
 
       
8. TAXATION
    22  
 
       
8.1 Tax Obligations
    22  
8.2 Tax Relief Services
    22  
 
       
9. TERMINATION
    23  
 
       
10. MISCELLANEOUS
    23  
 
       
10.1 Notices
    23  
10.2 Successors and Assigns
    24  
10.3 Interpretation
    24  
10.4 Entire Agreement
    24  
10.5 Information Concerning Deposits at Bank’s London Branch
    24  
10.6 Insurance
    25  
10.7 Security Holding Disclosure
    25  
10.8 USA PATRIOT Act Disclosure
    25  
10.9 Governing Law and Jurisdiction
    25  
10.10 Severability; Waiver; and Survival
    26  
10.11 Counterparts
    26  
10.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries
    26  
10.13 Records
    26  

3


 

         
10.14 Statutory Trust
    27  
10.15 Additional Portfolios
    27  
10.16 Use of Name
    27  
10.17 Proprietary and Confidential Information
    27  
10.18 Section 17(f)
    27  
10.19 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
    28  
 
       
Schedule 1 – Listing of Funds
       
 
       
Schedule 2 - Fee Schedule
       
 
       
Schedule 3 – Security Management
       
 
       
Riders
       
     
 
  Cash Sweep Rider
 
   
 
  Mutual Fund Rider
 
   
 
  Russia Rider

4


 

GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT
     This Agreement, dated June 30, 2006, is between JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“ Bank ”), with a place of business at 3 Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York; and the Goldman Sachs Trust funds listed on Schedule 1 (“ Customer ”) with a place of business at One New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004.
1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
1.1 Intention of the Parties
     (a) This Agreement sets out the terms governing custodial, settlement and certain other associated services offered by Bank to Customer. Bank will be responsible for the performance of only those Securities custody duties that are set forth in this Agreement. Customer acknowledges that Bank is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in connection with the services hereunder.
     (b) Investing in foreign markets may be a risky enterprise. The holding of Financial Assets and cash in foreign jurisdictions may involve risks of loss or other special considerations. Bank will not be liable for any loss that results from the general risks of investing or Country Risk.
1.2 Definitions
     (a) As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
      “Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
      “Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, Bank.
      “Affiliated Subcustodian” means a Subcustodian that is an Affiliate.
      “Applicable Law” means any statute, whether national, state or local, applicable in the United States or any other country, the rules of the treaty establishing the European Community, any other law, rule, regulation or interpretation of any governmental entity, any applicable common law, and any decree, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, or writ of any governmental entity.
      “Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by written notice from Customer (or by any agent designated by Customer, including, without limitation, an investment manager) to act on behalf of Customer hereunder. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as Bank receives Instructions from Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.

5


 

     “ Bank Indemnitees ” means Bank, its Subcustodians, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.
     “ Bank’s London Branch ” means the London branch office of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
      “Cash Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii).
      “Corporate Action” means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, tender offer, or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that require discretionary action by the holder, but does not include proxy solicitations.
     “ Country Risk ” means the risk of investing or holding assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to, risks arising from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; the country’s financial infrastructure, including prevailing custody and settlement practices; laws applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and cash held in custody; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets.
      “Entitlement Holder” means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Securities Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
     “ Financial Asset ” means a Security and refers, as the context requires, either to the asset itself or to the means by which a person’s claim to it is evidenced, including a Security, a security certificate, or a Securities Entitlement. “ Financial Asset ” does not include cash.
     “ Instructions ” means instructions which: (i) contain all necessary information required by Bank to enable Bank to carry out the Instructions; (ii) are received by Bank in writing or via Bank’s electronic instruction system, SWIFT, telephone, tested telex, facsimile or such other methods as are for the time being agreed by Customer (or an Authorized Person) and Bank; and (iii) Bank believes in good faith have been given by an Authorized Person and are transmitted with proper testing or authentication pursuant to terms and conditions which Bank may specify; provided, however, that Instructions shall mean a writing signed or initialed by two or more persons as the Board of Trustees of Customer shall have from time to time authorized for purposes of the payment of Customer monies for any expense incurred by Customer, including but not limited to payments for interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees and operating expenses.
      “Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ or experts’ fees and disbursements).

6


 

     “ Securities ” means stocks, bonds, rights, warrants, and other negotiable and non-negotiable instruments, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets. “Securities” also means other obligations of an issuer, or shares, participations and interests in an issuer recognized in the country in which it is issued or dealt in as a medium for investment and any other property as may be acceptable to Bank for the Securities Account.
     “ Securities Account ” means each Securities custody account on Bank’s records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited pursuant hereto.
     “ Securities Depository ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
     “ Securities Entitlement ” means the rights and property interests of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
      “Securities Intermediary” means Bank, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains Securities custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
      “Subcustodian” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 and includes Affiliated Subcustodians.
     (b) All terms in the singular will have the same meaning in the plural unless the context otherwise provides and visa versa.
2. WHAT BANK IS REQUIRED TO DO
2.1 Set Up Accounts
     (a) Bank will establish and maintain the following accounts (“ Accounts ”):
  (i)   a Securities Account in the name of Customer for each of its investment portfolios (“Funds”) for Financial Assets, which may be received by or on behalf of Bank or its Subcustodian for the account of Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and
 
  (ii)   an account in the name of Customer for each of its Funds (“ Cash Account ”) for any and all cash in any currency received by or on behalf of Bank for the account of Customer.
Notwithstanding paragraph (ii), cash held in respect of those markets where Customer is required to have a cash account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian or a Securities Depository will be held in that manner and will not be part of the Cash Account.

7


 

     (b) At the request of Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, which will be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
2.2 Cash Account
     Except as otherwise provided in Instructions acceptable to Bank, all cash held in the Cash Account will be deposited during the period it is credited to the Accounts in one or more deposit accounts at Bank or at Bank’s London Branch. Any cash so deposited with Bank’s London Branch will be payable exclusively by Bank’s London Branch in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed by the country of the applicable currency.
2.3 Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name
     (a) Bank will identify in its records that Financial Assets credited to Customer’s Securities Account belong to each specifically identified Fund of Customer (except as otherwise may be agreed by Bank and Customer).
     (b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law or market practice, Bank will require each Subcustodian to identify in its own records that Financial Assets held at such Subcustodian by Bank on behalf of its customers belong to customers of Bank, such that it is readily apparent that the Financial Assets do not belong to Bank or the Subcustodian.
     (c) Bank is authorized, in its discretion,
  (i)   to hold in bearer form, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to Bank or its Subcustodian in bearer form;
 
  (ii)   to hold Securities in or deposit Securities with any Securities Depositary, settlement system or dematerialized book entry or similar systems; and
 
  (iii)   to register in the name of Customer, Bank, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository, or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form.
     (d) Bank is authorized, when directed to do so by Customer, to hold Financial Assets at third parties and to register Financial Assets in broker “street name” or in the name of other third parties (or their nominees). Notwithstanding Section 7.1, Bank shall have no liability for any loss of Financial Assets or other damages resulting from holding or registering Financial Assets as so directed by the Customer.
Customer authorizes Bank or its Subcustodian to hold Financial Assets in omnibus accounts and will accept delivery of Financial Assets of the same class and denomination as those with Bank or its Subcustodian.

8


 

2.4 Settlement of Trades
(a) When Bank receives an Instruction directing settlement of a transaction in Financial Assets that includes all information required by Bank, Bank will use reasonable care to effect such settlement as instructed. Bank shall conduct settlement of transactions in Financial Assets in accordance with prevailing standards of the market in which the transaction occurs provided that such standards are generally accepted by Institutional Clients. For the avoidance of doubt, such standards shall include practices regarding delivery against receipt or delivery in advance of receipt that may be prevailing in the applicable market for the type of transaction being settled. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise directed by Customer, the risk of loss will be Bank’s for all transactions for which delivery versus receipt is the prevailing standard of the market and generally accepted by Institutional Clients if Bank makes delivery before receipt, and the risk of loss will be Customer’s whenever Bank makes delivery in accordance with the prevailing standard of the market and generally accepted by Institutional Clients or when directed by Customer. In the case of the failure of Customer’s counterparty (or other appropriate party) to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, Bank will provide prompt notice to the Customer and will contact the counterparty to seek settlement, but Bank will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action. Bank will forward to Customer’s investment manager all documentation related to any such claim.
     (b) For purposes of this Section 2.4, “Institutional Clients” means U.S. registered investment companies, U.S.-based commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds or substantially similar financial institutions.
2.5 Contractual Settlement Date Accounting
     (a) Bank will effect book entries on a “contractual settlement date accounting” basis as described below with respect to the settlement of trades in those markets where Bank generally offers contractual settlement date accounting and will notify Customer of those markets from time to time.
  (i)   Sales : On the settlement date for a sale, Bank will credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale and transfer the relevant Financial Assets to an account at the Bank pending settlement of the trade where not already delivered.
 
  (ii)   Purchases : On the settlement date for the purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), Bank will debit the Cash Account for the settlement amount and credit a separate account at the Bank. Bank then will post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. Customer will not be entitled to the Financial Assets that are awaiting receipt until Bank or a Subcustodian actually receives them.
Bank reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual settlement date accounting for credit or operational reasons.

9


 

     (b) Bank may (in its absolute discretion) upon oral or written notification to Customer reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction’s actual settlement, and Customer will be responsible for any costs or liabilities resulting from such reversal. Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in this sub-section are of an administrative nature, and Bank does not undertake to make loans and/or Financial Assets available to Customer.
2.6 Actual Settlement Date Accounting
     With respect to any sale or purchase transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, Bank will post the transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received by Bank.
2.7 Income Collection (Autocredit â )
     (a) Bank will credit the Cash Account with income and sale proceeds on Financial Assets in accordance with the times notified by Bank from time to time on or after the anticipated payment date, net of any taxes that are withheld by Bank or any third party. Where no time is specified for a particular market, income and sale proceeds from Financial Assets will be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation. Bank may reverse such credits upon oral or written notification to Customer that Bank believes that the corresponding payment will not be received by Bank within a reasonable period or such credit was incorrect.
     (b) Bank will make good faith efforts to timely contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends, tax reclaims or redemption proceeds, but neither Bank nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action. Bank will provide immediate notice to Customer of unpaid income and will provide Customer’s investment manager with all documentation related to any such claim.
2.8 Certain Ministerial Acts
     Until Bank receives Instructions to the contrary, Bank will:
  (a)   present all Financial Assets for which Bank has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation;
 
  (b)   execute in the name of Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets;
 
  (c)   exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive documents of title; and,
 
  (d)   provide information concerning the Accounts to Subcustodians, Securities

10


 

      Depositories, counterparties, issuers of Financial Assets, governmental entities, securities exchanges, self-regulatory entities, and similar entities to the extent required by Applicable Law or as may be required in the ordinary course by market practice or otherwise in order to provide the services contemplated by this Agreement.
2.9 Corporate Actions
     (a) Bank will notify Customer of any Corporate Action of which information is either (i) received by it or a Subcustodian to the extent that Bank’s central corporate actions department has actual knowledge of the Corporate Action in time to notify its customers in a timely manner; or (ii) published via a formal notice in publications and reporting services routinely used by Bank for this purpose in time for Bank to notify its customers in a timely manner. Bank also will notify Customer of any class action litigation for which information is received by Bank’s central corporate actions department. Bank shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of Bank’s failure to identify Customer’s interest in any class action litigation unless Bank’s failure to notify Customer results from Bank’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Bank does not commit, however, to provide information concerning Corporate Actions or class action litigation relating to Financial Assets being held at Customer’s request in a name not subject to the control of Bank or its Subcustodian.
     (b) If an Authorized Person fails to provide Bank with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action or class action, neither Bank nor its Subcustodians or their respective nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action or class action, except as otherwise agreed in writing by Bank and Customer or as may be set forth by Bank as a default action in the notification it provides under Section 2.9 (a) with respect to that Corporate Action or class action. Notwithstanding and in no way limiting the above, if an Authorized Person fails to provide Bank with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action, upon request by Customer Bank shall use its best efforts to carry out such Instructions to the extent circumstances permit.
     (c) Bank may sell or otherwise dispose of fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a Corporate Action or class action litigation and, to the extent necessary to protect Customer’s interest in that Corporate Action or class action, credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale or disposition. If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Asset is called for redemption, Bank may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such class of Financial Asset in any manner Bank deems to be fair and equitable.
     (d) Notices of Corporate Actions and class actions dispatched to Customer may have been obtained from sources which Bank does not control and may have been translated or summarized. Although Bank believes such sources to be reliable, Bank has no duty to verify the information contained in such notices nor the faithfulness of any translation or summary and therefore does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or timeliness, and shall not be liable to Customer for any loss that may result from relying on such notice.

11


 

2.10 Proxies
     (a) Subject to and upon the terms of this sub-section, Bank will provide Customer with information which it receives on matters to be voted upon at meetings of holders of Financial Assets (“ Notifications ”), and Bank will act in accordance with Customer’s Instructions in relation to such Notifications (“ the active proxy voting service ”). If information is received by Bank at its proxy voting department too late to permit timely voting by Customer, Bank’s only obligation will be to provide, so far as reasonably practicable, a Notification (or summary information concerning a Notification) on an “information only” basis.
     (b) The active proxy voting service is available only in certain markets, details of which are available from Bank on request. Provision of the active proxy voting service is conditional upon receipt by Bank of a duly completed enrollment form as well as additional documentation that may be required for certain markets.
     (c) Bank will act upon Instructions to vote on matters referred to in a Notification, provided Instructions are received by Bank at its proxy voting department by the deadline referred to in the relevant Notification. If Instructions are not received in a timely manner, Bank will not be obligated to provide further notice to Customer and shall not be obliged to vote. It is Customer’s obligation to monitor the agreed means of providing Notifications to determine if new Notifications have been received.
     (d) Bank reserves the right to provide Notifications or parts thereof in the language received. Bank will attempt in good faith to provide accurate and complete Notifications, whether or not translated.
     (e) Customer acknowledges that Notifications and other information furnished pursuant to the active proxy voting service (“ information ”) are proprietary to Bank and that Bank owns all intellectual property rights, including copyrights and patents, embodied therein. Accordingly, Customer will not make any use of such information except in connection with the active proxy voting service.
     (f) In markets where the active proxy voting service is not available or where Bank has not received a duly completed enrollment form or other relevant documentation requesting the provision of the active proxy voting service on behalf of the Customer, Bank will not provide Notifications to Customer but will endeavor to act upon Instructions to vote on matters before meetings of holders of Financial Assets where it is reasonably practicable for Bank (or its Subcustodians or nominees as the case may be) to do so and where such Instructions are received in time for Bank to take timely action (the “ passive proxy voting service ”).
     (g) Customer acknowledges that the provision of proxy voting services (whether active or passive) may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
  (i)   the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration,

12


 

  (ii)   the pendency of conversion or another corporate action;
 
  (iii)   Financial Assets being held at Customer’s request in a name not subject to the control of Bank or its Subcustodian;
 
  (iv)   in a margin or collateral account at Bank or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting;
 
  (v)   local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer;
 
  (vi)   Bank may be required to vote all shares held for a particular issue for all of Bank’s customers on a net basis(i.e. a net yes or no vote based on voting instructions received from all its customers). Where this is the case, Bank will inform Customer by means of the Notification.
     (h) Notwithstanding the fact that Bank may act in a fiduciary capacity with respect to Customer under other agreements, in performing active or passive voting proxy services Bank will be acting solely as the agent of Customer, and will not exercise any discretion, with regard to such proxy services or vote any proxy except when directed by an Authorized Person.
2.11 Statements and Information Available On-Line
     (a) Bank will send, or make available on-line, to Customer, at times mutually agreed upon, a formal statement of account in Bank’s standard format as agreed to by Customer and Bank, from time to time, for each Account maintained by Customer with Bank, identifying the Financial Assets and cash held in each Account (each such statement a “Statement of Account” ). Additionally, Bank will send (or make available on-line to) Customer an advice or notification of any transfers of cash or Financial Assets with respect to each Account. Bank will not be liable with respect to any matter set forth in those portions of any Statement of Account or any such advice (or reasonably implied therefrom) to which Customer has not given Bank a written exception or objection within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Statement of Account, provided such matter is not the result of Bank’s willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith. References in this Agreement to Statements of Account include Statements of Account in electronic form.
     (b) Prices and other information obtained from third parties which may be contained in any Statement of Account or other statement sent to Customer have been obtained from sources Bank believes to be reliable. Bank does not, however, make any representation as to the accuracy of such information or that the prices specified necessarily reflect the proceeds that would be received on a disposal of the relevant Financial Assets.
     (c) Customer acknowledges that information available to it on-line with respect to transactions posted after the prior business day may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. Bank will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the inaccuracy of any such information accessed on-line. For the avoidance of doubt, Customer may rely on the accuracy of any intraday report to the extent that such report (i)

13


 

explicitly states it is a final report or (ii) contains historical data that has been posted prior to the current business day.
2.12 Access to Bank’s Records
     Bank will allow Customer’s independent public accountants, or other designated representatives of Customer, such reasonable access to the records of Bank relating to Financial Assets as is required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to Customer’s affairs. Subject to restrictions under Applicable Law, Bank also will obtain an undertaking to permit Customer’s independent public accountants, reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian of Securities held in the Securities Account as may be required in connection with such examination.
2.13 Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations
     (a) Unless Instructions require another location acceptable to Bank, Financial Assets will be held in the country or jurisdiction in which their principal trading market is located, where such Financial Assets may be presented for payment, where such Financial Assets were acquired, or where such Financial Assets are held. Bank reserves the right to refuse to accept delivery of Financial Assets or cash in countries and jurisdictions other than those referred to in Schedule A to this Agreement, as in effect from time to time.
     (b) Bank will not be obliged to follow an Instruction to hold Financial Assets with, or have them registered or recorded in the name of, any person not chosen by Bank. However, if Customer does instruct Bank to hold Securities and/or cash with or register or record Securities in the name of a person not chosen by Bank and Bank agrees to do so, the consequences of doing so are at Customer’s own risk and Bank (i) will not be liable therefore and (ii) may not provide services under this Agreement with respect to Securities or cash so held, including, without limitation, services provided under Sections 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, and 8.2.
2.14 Tax Relief Services
     Bank will provide tax relief services as provided in Section 8.2.
2.15 Foreign Exchange Transactions
     To facilitate the administration of Customer’s trading and investment activity, Bank may, but will not be obliged to, enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with Customer, or an Authorized Person, and may also provide foreign exchange contracts and facilities through its Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing Instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts, but Bank may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available. In all cases where Bank, its Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into a master foreign exchange contract that covers foreign exchange transactions for the Accounts, the terms and conditions of that foreign exchange contract and, to the extent not inconsistent, this Agreement, will apply to such transactions.

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2.16 Service Level Agreement
     Bank agrees to be subject to written service level standards, which will be embodied in a Service Level Agreement between Bank and Customer.
2.17 Supervision
     Bank shall supervise the performance by its employees or agents of custodial services provided in connection with this Agreement. Bank shall provide appropriate training for employees and implement supervisory procedures for all services provided hereunder by its agents and employees.
3. INSTRUCTIONS
3.1 Acting on Instructions; Unclear Instructions
     (a) Customer authorizes Bank to accept and act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. Customer will indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Bank Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instructions or other directions upon which Bank is authorized to reasonably rely under the terms of this Agreement.
     (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided, all Instructions will continue in full force and effect until canceled or superseded.
     (c) Bank may (in its sole discretion and without affecting any part of this Section 3.1) seek clarification or confirmation of an Instruction from an Authorized Person and may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. Bank will not be liable for any loss arising from any delay while it seeks such clarification or confirmation.
     (d) In executing or paying a payment order Bank may rely upon the identifying number (e.g. Fedwire routing number or account) of any party as instructed in the payment order. Customer assumes full responsibility for any inconsistency between the name and identifying number of any party in payment orders issued by Customer to Bank in Customer’s name.
3.2 Confirmation of Oral Instructions/ Security Devices
     Any Instructions delivered to Bank by telephone will promptly thereafter be confirmed in writing by an Authorized Person. Each confirmation is to be clearly marked “Confirmation.” Bank will not be liable for having followed such Instructions notwithstanding the failure of an Authorized Person to send such confirmation in writing or the failure of such confirmation to conform to the telephone Instructions received. Either party may record any of their telephonic communications. Customer will comply with any security procedures reasonably required by Bank from time to time with respect to verification of Instructions. Customer will be responsible

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for safeguarding any test keys, identification codes or other security devices that Bank will make available to Customer or any Authorized Person.
3.3 Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
     Bank need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice, but Bank will be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice.
3.4 Cut-off Times
     Bank has established cut-off times for receipt of some categories of Instruction, which categories and cut-off times will be made available to Customer. If Bank receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, Bank will attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if Bank deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable on the next business day.
4. FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO BANK
4.1 Fees and Expenses
     Customer will pay Bank for its services hereunder the fees set forth in Schedule 2 hereto or such other amounts as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time, together with Bank’s reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees and tax or related fees incidental to processing by governmental authorities, issuers, or their agents. Customer authorizes Bank to deduct amounts owing to it from the Cash Account, for any such fees or expenses from time to time in arrears, subject to prior approval by Customer.
4.2 Overdrafts
     If a debit to any currency in the Cash Account results (or will result) in a debit balance, then Bank may, in its discretion, (i) advance an amount equal to the overdraft, (ii) or refuse to settle in whole or in part the transaction causing such debit balance, or (iii) if any such transaction is posted to the Securities Account, reverse any such posting. If Bank elects to make such an advance, the advance will be deemed a loan to Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the applicable rate charged by Bank from time to time, for such overdrafts, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (both after as well as before judgment) and otherwise on the terms on which Bank makes similar overdrafts available from time to time. No prior action or course of dealing on Bank’s part with respect to the settlement of transactions on Customer’s behalf will be asserted by Customer against Bank for Bank’s refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or to settle any transaction for which Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the applicable currency in the Account.

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5. SUBCUSTODIANS, SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES, AND OTHER AGENTS
5.1 Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories
     (a) Bank is authorized under this Agreement to act through and hold Customer’s Financial Assets with subcustodians, being at the date of this Agreement the entities listed in Schedule A and/or such other entities as Bank may appoint as subcustodians (“ Subcustodians ”). Bank will use reasonable care in the selection and continued appointment of such Subcustodians. In addition, Bank and each Subcustodian may deposit Financial Assets with, and hold Financial Assets in, any securities depository, settlement system, dematerialized book entry system or similar system that meets the requirements of Rule 17f-4, or 17f-7 as applicable, under the Investment Company Act, (together a “ Securities Depository ”) on such terms as such systems customarily operate and Customer will provide Bank with such documentation or acknowledgements that Bank may require to hold the Financial Assets in such systems.
     (b) Any agreement Bank enters into with a Subcustodian for holding Bank’s customers’ assets will provide that such assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim for payment for their safe custody or administration, or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, and that the beneficial ownership thereof will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration. Where a Subcustodian deposits Securities with a Securities Depository, Bank will cause the Subcustodian to identify on its records as belonging to Bank, as agent, the Securities shown on the Subcustodian’s account at such Securities Depository. Bank shall identify on its books as belonging to each applicable Fund the securities held by each Subcustodian or Securities Depository. This Section 5.1(b) will not apply to the extent of any special agreement or arrangement made by Customer with any particular Subcustodian.
     (c) Bank will not be liable for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event Customer incurs a loss due to the negligence, willful misconduct, or insolvency of a Securities Depository, Bank will make reasonable endeavors, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Securities Depository, but Bank will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof claim in any insolvency proceeding, or take any similar action. Bank shall be liable to Customer for any loss or damage to Customer resulting from Bank’s use of a Securities Depository by reason of any negligence, or willful misconduct of Bank or any of its agents (for avoidance of doubt, a Securities Depository is not an agent of the Bank) or of any of their employees.
5.2 Liability for Subcustodians
     (a) Subject to Section 7.1(b), Bank will be liable for direct losses incurred by Customer that result from:
  (i)   the failure by a Subcustodian to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services by it in accordance with the standards prevailing in the

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      relevant market or from the fraud or willful misconduct of such Subcustodian in the provision of custodial services by it; or

  (ii)   the insolvency of any Affiliated Subcustodian.
     (b) Subject to Section 5.1(a) and Bank’s duty to use reasonable care in the monitoring of a Subcustodian’s financial condition as reflected in its published financial statements and other publicly available financial information concerning it customarily reviewed by Bank in its oversight process, Bank will not be responsible for the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or an Affiliated Subcustodian.
     (c) Bank reserves the right to add, replace or remove Subcustodians. Bank will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. Upon request by Customer, Bank will identify the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
5.3 Use of Agents
     (a) Bank may provide certain services under this Agreement through third parties, which may be Affiliates. Except to the extent provided in Section 5.2 with respect to Subcustodians, Bank will not be responsible for any loss as a result of a failure by any broker or any other third party that it selects and retains using reasonable care to provide ancillary services that it may not customarily provide itself, including, without limitation, delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions and class action litigation. Nevertheless, Bank will be liable for the performance of any such broker selected by Bank that is an Affiliate to the same extent as Bank would have been liable if it performed such services itself.
     (b) In the case of the sale under Section 2.8 of a fractional interest (or in other cases where Customer has requested Bank to arrange for execution of a trade) Bank will place trades with a broker which is an Affiliate to the extent that Bank has established a program for such trading with such Affiliate. An affiliated broker may charge its customary commission (or retain its customary spread) with respect to any such transaction.
6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CUSTOMER
6.1 Representations of Customer and Bank
     (a) Customer represents and warrants that (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents, to deposit and control the Financial Assets and cash in the Accounts, to use Bank as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to borrow money or otherwise incur indebtedness as contemplated by this Agreement, and to enter into foreign exchange transactions; (ii) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by Bank, this Agreement is Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance

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with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement (iii) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by Bank or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of Bank; and (iv) it is a resident of the United States and shall notify Bank of any changes in residency.
     (b) Bank represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by Customer, this Agreement is Bank’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms and (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement.
Bank may rely upon the above or the certification by Customer of such other facts as may be required to administer Bank’s obligations hereunder. Customer shall indemnify Bank against all losses, liability, claims or demands arising directly or indirectly from any such certifications.
6.2 Customer to Provide Certain Information to Bank
     Upon request, Customer will promptly provide to Bank such information about itself and its financial status as Bank may reasonably request, including Customer’s organizational documents and its current audited and unaudited financial statements.
6.3 Customer is Liable to Bank Even if it is Acting for Another Person
     If Customer is acting as an agent for a disclosed or undisclosed principal in respect of any transaction, cash, or Financial Asset, Bank nevertheless will exercise reasonable care in treating Customer as its principal for all purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, Customer will be liable to Bank as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct by Bank, its employees or agents. The foregoing will not affect any rights Bank might have against Customer’s principal.
7. WHEN BANK IS LIABLE TO CUSTOMER
7.1 Standard of Care; Liability
     (a) Bank will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. Bank will not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care.
     (b) Bank will be liable for Customer’s direct damages to the extent they result from Bank’s negligence or willful misconduct in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement and to the extent provided in Section 5.2(a). Nevertheless, under no circumstances will Bank be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts, Bank’s performance hereunder, or Bank’s role as custodian.

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     (c) Customer will indemnify the Bank Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the Bank Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of (i) Bank’s performance under this Agreement, provided the Bank Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question or (ii) any Bank Indemnitee’s status as a holder of record of Customer’s Financial Assets provided that Bank uses reasonable care to provide prompt notice to Customer of the circumstances and all pertinent facts related to the claim for indemnification. Nevertheless, Customer will not be obligated to indemnify any Bank Indemnitee under the preceding sentence with respect to any Liability for which Bank is liable under Section 5.2 of this Agreement.
     (d) Subject to, and without limiting Subsections 7.1 (a), (b) or (c), Bank will have no duty or responsibility to: (i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions (provided however, that the Bank will, in the case of a faxed Instruction call another Authorized Person and read the faxed Instruction back for confirmation); (ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets; (iii) advise Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income of any security other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; (iv) evaluate or report to Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which Bank is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash; or (v) except to the extent (if any) as stated in the SLA, in the ordinary course of business, review or reconcile trade confirmations received from brokers (and Customer or its Authorized Persons issuing Instructions will bear any responsibility to review such confirmations against Instructions issued to and Statements of Account issued by Bank).
     (e) If Customer acknowledges in writing that Bank is entitled to indemnification, the Customer shall have the option to defend Bank against any claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and in the event that the Customer so elects, it will so notify Bank, and thereupon Customer shall take over complete defense of the claim. In the event Customer elects to assume the control of the defense of the claim, Bank may participate in such proceeding and retain additional counsel but shall bear all fees and expenses of such retention of such counsel, unless (i) Customer shall have specifically authorized the retention of such counsel, or (ii) if Customer and Bank agree that the retention of such counsel is required as a result of a conflict of interest. In the event Customer assumes control of any proceeding, Customer shall keep Bank notified of the progress of such proceeding and, upon request, consult with Bank and counsel. Customer will, upon request by Bank, either pay in the first instance or reimburse Bank for any expense subject to indemnity hereunder. Customer shall not settle or compromise any proceeding without the prior written consent of Bank unless (i) such settlement or compromise involves no admission of guilt, wrongdoing, or misconduct by Bank, (ii) such settlement or compromise does not impose any obligations or restrictions on Bank other than obligations to pay money that are subject to indemnity under this Agreement and (iii) Customer shall have paid or made arrangements satisfactory to Bank for payment of amounts payable by Bank in connection with such settlement. Bank shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case which Customer will be asked to indemnify Bank except with the Customer’s prior written consent. Bank shall be entitled to rely on and may act

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upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
7.2 Force Majeure
     Bank will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global custody business that it reasonably determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. Bank will have no liability, however, where the Bank has otherwise exercised reasonable care, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery (except where such fraud or forgery is attributable to Bank, its agents or their employees), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily attributable to Bank’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any cause beyond the reasonable control of Bank (including without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange).
7.3 Bank May Consult With Counsel
     Bank will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisers in relation to matters of law, regulation or market practice (which may be the professional advisers of Customer), and will not be liable to Customer for any action reasonably taken or omitted in good faith pursuant to such advice.
7.4 Bank Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
     Customer acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by Customer with respect to the Account or that circumstances are such that Bank may have a potential conflict of duty or interest. For example, Bank or its Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets; or earn profits from any of these activities. Customer further acknowledges that Bank or its Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of Customer but that Bank is not under any duty to disclose any such information except as otherwise required by the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

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8. TAXATION
8.1 Tax Obligations
     (a) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account any taxes or levies required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of Customer’s Accounts.
     (b) Customer will provide to Bank such certifications, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true and correct in every respect, not misleading in any way, and contains all material information. Customer undertakes to notify Bank immediately if any information requires updating or correcting. Bank shall not be liable for any taxes, penalties, interest or additions to tax, payable or paid that result from (i) the inaccurate completion of documents by Customer or any third party; (ii) provision to Bank or a third party of inaccurate or misleading information by Customer or any third party; (iii) the withholding of material information by Customer or any third party; or (iv) as a result of any delay by any revenue authority or any other cause beyond the Bank’s control.
     (c) If Bank does not receive appropriate certifications, documentation and information then, as and when appropriate and required, additional tax shall be deducted from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued (including, but not limited to, United States non-resident alien tax and/or backup withholding tax).
     (d) Customer will be responsible in all events for the timely payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account. Customer will indemnify and hold Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities, penalties, interest or additions to tax with respect to or resulting from, any delay in, or failure by, Bank (i) to pay, withhold or report any U.S. federal, state or local taxes or foreign taxes imposed on, or (ii) to report interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account, regardless of the reason for such delay or failure, provided, however, that Customer will not be liable to Bank for any penalty or additions to tax due as a result of Bank’s misconduct, negligent acts or omissions with respect to paying or withholding tax or reporting interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account. Bank’s liability under this Section 8.1(d) shall be limited to the extent Customer’s misconduct, negligence or omission has been contributory.
8.2 Tax Relief Services
     (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section, Bank will timely and accurately apply for a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits in respect of income or gain payments on Financial Assets credited to the Securities Account that Bank believes may be available. To defray expenses pertaining to nominal tax claims, Bank may from time-to-time set minimum thresholds as to a de minimus value of tax reclaims or reduction of withholding which it will pursue in respect of income payments under this section.

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     (b) The provision of a tax relief service by Bank is conditional upon Bank receiving from Customer (i) a declaration of its identity and place of residence and (ii) certain other documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from Bank), prior to the receipt of Financial assets in the Account or the payment of income.
     (c) Bank will perform tax relief services only with respect to taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries advised to Customer from time to time and Bank may, by notification in writing, in its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the countries in which the tax relief services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 8.2 Bank will have no responsibility with regard to Customer’s tax position or status in any jurisdiction.
     (d) Customer confirms that Bank is authorized to disclose any information requested by any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax relief claim.
9. TERMINATION
     Either party may terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other party. If Customer gives notice of termination, it must provide full details of the persons to whom Bank must deliver Financial Assets and cash. If Bank gives notice of termination, then Customer must, within sixty days, notify Bank of details of its new custodian, failing which Bank may elect (at any time after the sixty day notice period) either to retain the Financial Assets and cash until such details are given, continuing to charge fees due (in which case Bank’s sole obligation will be for the safekeeping of the Financial Assets and cash), or deliver the Financial Assets and cash to Customer. Bank will in any event be entitled to deduct any amounts owing to it prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash (and, accordingly, Bank will be entitled to sell Financial Assets and apply the sale proceeds in satisfaction of amounts owing to it). Customer will reimburse Bank promptly for all out-of-pocket expenses it reasonably incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination. Termination will not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notices
     Notices (other than Instructions) will be served by registered mail or other courier or mail delivery with delivery confirmation, hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing, or upon confirmed receipt of facsimile. Notice will not be deemed to be given unless it has been received.

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10.2 Successors and Assigns
     This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties’ successors and assigns, but the parties agree that neither party can assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding this prohibition, Customer may assign the right to recover losses to its insurer, investment manager or its affiliates that pay for losses sustained by Customer.
10.3 Interpretation
     Headings are for convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation. References to sections are to sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear.
10.4 Entire Agreement
     (a) The following Rider(s) are incorporated into this Agreement:
         
 
  o   Cash Trade Execution;
 
  þ   Cash Sweep;
 
  þ   Russia Rider
 
  þ   Mutual Fund.
     (b) This Agreement, including the Schedules, Exhibits, and Riders (and any separate agreement which Bank and Customer may enter into with respect to any Cash Account), sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement, or representation relating to custody, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.
10.5 Information Concerning Deposits at Bank’s London Branch
     Under U.S. federal law, deposit accounts that Customer maintains in Bank’s foreign branches (outside of the U.S.) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the event of Bank’s liquidation, foreign branch deposits have a lesser preference than U.S. deposits, and such foreign deposits are subject to cross-border risks. However, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the “ FSCS ”) was created under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The terms of the FSCS offer protection in connection with deposits and investments in the event of the persons to whom Bank’s London Branch provides services suffering a financial loss as a direct consequence of Bank’s London Branch being unable to meet any of its liabilities, and subject to the FSCS rules regarding eligible claimants and eligible claims, the Customer may have a right to claim compensation from the FSCS. Subject to the terms of the FSCS, the limit on the maximum compensation sum payable by the FSCS in relation to investment business is £48,000 and in relation to deposits is £31,700. A detailed

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description of the FSCS (including information on how to make a claim, eligibility criteria and the procedures involved) is available from the FSCS who can be contacted at 7th Floor, Lloyds Chambers, Portsoken Street, London, E1 8BN.
10.6 Insurance
     Bank will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage for the specific benefit of Customer. Bank agrees to maintain commercially reasonable insurance coverage for errors, omissions, or other acts by Bank, its agents or their employees that result in losses to Customer.
10.7 Security Holding Disclosure
     With respect to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 under The U.S Shareholder Communications Act, regarding disclosure of beneficial owners to issuers of Securities, Bank is instructed not to disclose the name, address or Security positions of Customer in response to shareholder communications requests regarding the Account.
10.8 USA PATRIOT ACT Disclosure
     Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) requires JPMorgan to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with JPMorgan. Accordingly, Customer acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and JPMorgan’s identity verification procedures require JPMorgan to obtain certain information (“identifying information”) from Customer or on some occasions from third parties regarding Customer. Customer agrees to provide JPMorgan with and consents to JPMorgan obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any Service provided by JPMorgan.
10.9 Governing Law and Jurisdiction
     This Agreement will be construed, regulated, and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. To the extent that in any jurisdiction Customer or Bank may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, neither Customer nor Bank shall claim, and each hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity.

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10.10 Severability; Waiver; and Survival
     (a) If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
     (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right hereunder operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
     (c) Bank’s rights, protections, and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination.
10.11 Counterparts
     This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
10.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries
     A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding this prohibition, this shall not limit the right to recover losses sustained by Customer, by its insurer, investment manager or its affiliates who have paid for such losses.
10.13 Records
     Bank shall with respect to each of the Customer’s investment portfolios create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement during and after the term thereof in such manner as will meet the obligations of Customer under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of Customer and shall at all times during the regular business hours of Bank be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of Customer and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bank shall, at Customer’s request, supply Customer with a tabulation of securities owned by each portfolio and held by Bank and shall, when requested to do so by Customer and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between Customer and Bank, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.

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10.14 Statutory Trust
     The name “Goldman Sachs Trust” is the designation of the Board of Trustees for the time being under the Declaration of Trust and all persons dealing with Customer must look solely to the property of Customer for the enforcement of any claims against Customer as neither the Trustees, officers, agents, nor shareholders of Customer assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Customer. No portfolio of Customer shall be liable for any claims against any other portfolio of Customer.
10.15 Additional Portfolios
     In the event that Customer establishes additional series of shares with respect to which it desires to have Bank render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify Bank in writing, and if Bank agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of shares shall become a Fund hereunder.
10.16 Use of Name
     Bank agrees not to use Customer’s name nor the name of Goldman, Sachs & Co., its affiliates, designees, or assignees in any material written in a manner not previously, specifically approved in writing by Customer, Goldman, Sachs & Co., or its affiliates, designees, or assignees except where required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any federal or state agency responsible for regulation of Bank.
10.17 Proprietary and Confidential Information
     Bank agrees on its behalf and on behalf of its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of Customer, all records and other information relative to Customer and its portfolios, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by Customer, which approval shall not be withheld where Bank may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by Customer. Bank agrees to comply with Customer’s policies related to non-disclosure of portfolio holdings and the provisions of Schedule 3 hereto, Security Management.
10.18 Section 17(f)
     Bank acknowledges that it satisfies the requirements for a company that maintains custody of the investments of a registered management investment company as set forth in Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act.

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10.19 Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
     Bank shall provide the Customer, on behalf of each of the portfolios at such times as the Customer may reasonably require, which shall be at least annually, reports by independent public accountants on the procedures for safeguarding securities, derivatives, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a securities system, relating to the services provided by Bank under this Agreement. Such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by Customer to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
             
    GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ John Perlowski
 
   
    Name: John Perlowski    
    Title: Treasurer    
    Date: 6/29/06    
 
           
    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Carl J. Ferrara
 
   
    Name: Carl J. Ferrara    
    Title: Senior Vice President    
    Date: 6-30-06    

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Schedule A – Subcustodian Listing
See attached PDF

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Schedule 1 – Listing Of Funds
Speciality Funds
Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper Fund
Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund
Goldman Sachs International Real Estate Securities Fund
Goldman Sachs Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
Fixed Income Funds
Goldman Sachs Municipal Income Fund
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax Free Fund
Goldman Sachs High Yield Municipal Fund
Goldman Sachs California Intermediate AMT-Free Municipal Fund
Goldman Sachs New York Intermediate AMT-Free Municipal Fund
International Equity
Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Asia Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs International Small Cap Fund
Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs BRIC Fund

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Schedule 2 – Fees
Safekeeping and administration charges for U.S. assets are applied as set forth below.
     
    Annual Fee
Asset Based Fee   (in basis points)
 
All Assets
  0.15
 
Transaction charges for U.S. assets are applied to all transactions effected during the billing period. Transaction prices below presume that JPMorgan receives valid instructions in an electronic format that enables straight-through processing (STP), when applicable; trade instructions that require manual input or repair will incur an additional surcharge.
         
Transaction type   STP Transaction Fee  
 
Custody Transactions (DVP, RVP or free)
       
DTC
  $ 5.00  
FBE
  $ 5.00  
Physical
  $ 25.00  
Future/Option
  $ 30.00  
 
Repurchase Agreement (contract recording)
  $ 5.00  
 
Internal Transfer (switch, per side)
       
Book Entry (DTC or FBE)
  $ 2.50  
Physical
  $ 2.50  
 
Memo Entry/Blue Sheet (asset held elsewhere)
  $ 5.00  
 
Cancel & Correct
  $ 5.00  
 
Cash Transaction (credit or debit)
       
Wire Transfer
  $ 5.00  
Book Transfer
  $ 5.00  
Check Deposit
  $ 10.00  
Check Issue
  $ 10.00  
 
Corporate Actions
       
Voluntary
  Waived
Mandatory
  Waived
 
Re-Registration (plus out-of-pocket)
       
DTC (DWAC)
  $ 75.00  
Physical
  $ 50.00  
Private Placement
  $ 100.00  
 
P&I Posting/Paydown
       
Book-Entry (DTC or FBE)
  $ 3.00  
Physical
  $ 10.00  
Private Placement
  $ 10.00  
 
Bond Call
  Waived
 

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Transaction type   STP Transaction Fee  
 
Stock Dividend
       
Book-Entry
  Waived
Physical
  Waived
 
Redemption
       
Book-Entry (DTC or FBE)
  Waived
Physical
  Waived
Private Placement
  Waived
 
Ad valorem safekeeping and administration charges for international assets, including U.S. assets held for non-U.S. investors are applied to the market value of assets held at the end of the billing period. In addition, transaction charges are applied to all securities transactions (including receives/delivers versus payment and free, securities loans (to be paid by securities lending agent), repos, redemptions and corporate actions) effected during the billing period. Transaction prices below presume that JPMorgan receives valid instructions in an electronic format that enables straight-through processing (STP), when applicable; trade instructions that require manual input or repair will incur an additional surcharge.
Safekeeping & Administration
                 
Country of   Annual Fee in    
Investment   basis points   STP Fee
 
Argentina
    15.0     $ 75.00  
Australia
    4.0     $ 40.00  
Austria
    2.0     $ 25.00  
Bahrain
    50.0     $ 150.00  
Bangladesh
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Belgium
    2.0     $ 25.00  
Bermuda
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Botswana
    50.0     $ 150.00  
Brazil
    10.0     $ 75.00  
Bulgaria
    40.0     $ 200.00  
Canada
    2.0     $ 25.00  
Chile
    20.0     $ 75.00  
China
    40.0     $ 100.00  
Colombia
    40.0     $ 100.00  
Costa Rica
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Croatia
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Cyprus
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Czech Republic
    20.0     $ 75.00  
Denmark
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Ecuador
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Egypt
    25.0     $ 125.00  

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Country of   Annual Fee in    
Investment   basis points   STP Fee
 
Estonia
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Euro CDs
    1.75     $ 40.00  
Euroclear
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Finland
    1.75     $ 25.00  
France
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Germany
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Ghana
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Greece
    7.0     $ 40.00  
Hong Kong
    5.0     $ 35.00  
Hungary
    15.0     $ 75.00  
Iceland
    20.0     $ 75.00  
India
    15.0     $ 75.00  
Indonesia
    20.0     $ 75.00  
Ireland
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Israel
    20.0     $ 75.00  
Italy
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Ivory Coast
    60.0     $ 150.00  
Jamaica
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Japan
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Jersey
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Jordan
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Kazakhstan
    60.0     $ 150.00  
Kenya
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Korea
    25.0     $ 75.00  
Latvia
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Lebanon
    60.0     $ 150.00  
Lithuania
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Luxembourg
    10.0     $ 40.00  
Malaysia
    10.0     $ 75.00  
Malta
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Mauritius
    60.0     $ 150.00  
Mexico
    12.0     $ 50.00  
Morocco
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Namibia
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Nepal
    60.0     $ 125.00  
Netherlands
    1.75     $ 25.00  
New Zealand
    2.5     $ 40.00  
Nigeria
    60.0     $ 125.00  
Norway
    2.0     $ 25.00  
Oman
    60.0     $ 150.00  
Pakistan
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Peru
    35.0     $ 100.00  
Philippines
    10.0     $ 50.00  
Poland
    40.0     $ 100.00  
Portugal
    2.0     $ 40.00  

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Country of   Annual Fee in    
Investment   basis points   STP Fee
 
Romania
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Russia
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Singapore
    6.0     $ 40.00  
Slovakia
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Slovenia
    40.0     $ 125.00  
South Africa
    10.0     $ 50.00  
Spain
    5.0     $ 35.00  
Sri Lanka
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Swaziland
    50.0     $ 150.00  
Sweden
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Switzerland
    1.75     $ 25.00  
Taiwan
    35.0     $ 100.00  
Thailand
    12.0     $ 75.00  
Tunisia
    30.0     $ 100.00  
Turkey
    10.0     $ 75.00  
Ukraine
    60.0     $ 125.00  
United Arab Emirates
    50.0     $ 150.00  
United Kingdom
    1.25     $ 15.00  
United States
    0.15     $ 5.00  
Uruguay
    50.0     $ 125.00  
Venezuela
    35.0     $ 100.00  
Vietnam
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Zambia
    40.0     $ 125.00  
Zimbabwe
    35.0     $ 115.00  
         
Currency Movements   Fee  
 
Credits
  5 per account credit
 
Checks
       
Received (GBP)
  10 per check
Received (other currencies)
  10 per check
Issued
  10 per check
 
Payments
       
SWIFT
  5 per payment
CHAPS
  5 per payment
 
Book Transfer
  2.5 per transfer
 
Additional Charges
         
Service   Fee  
Manual/Non-STP Transaction Surcharge (in addition to applicable transaction fee)
  25 per transaction
Corporate Action Notification
    Waived per transaction
 
       
Manual Corporate Action Responses
  25 per transaction
 
       
Proxy Voting
       

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Service   Fee  
Tier A Markets (see list below)
  15 per ballot per account
Tier B Markets (see list below)
  30 per ballot per account
Tier C Markets (see list below)
  60 per ballot per account
Bank and Customer also agree to establish a system whereby the fees paid hereunder may be adjusted based upon the performance of the Bank in carrying out its responsibilities under this Agreement.

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Schedule 3 — SECURITY MANAGEMENT
This Schedule specifies requirements for: Information Security, Physical Security, Backup & Contingency Planning and Audit.
Definitions:
    “Systems and Networks” shall mean hardware, software (including the copies of J.P. Morgan’s proprietary technology and third party technology installed thereon) and telecommunication facilities employed by J.P. Morgan to receive, process, maintain, transmit and store the Data (as defined herein), whether or not such hardware, software and telecommunications facilities are also used to host other parties’ confidential or other information or software.
 
    “Attempted Attack” shall mean all of the following preliminary attacker efforts that occur for any incident: port scanning, IP address mapping and OS fingerprinting.
    “Core Application” shall mean an application implemented to support the services provided to the Funds or GS. This does NOT include desktop productivity applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc.
 
    “Data” shall mean information on J.P. Morgan applications that relates to the confidential information and services contemplated to be provided under this Agreement.
  Information Security Management
  §   J.P. Morgan shall have a security policy that explicitly addresses and provides guidance to employees and non-employee workers to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and systems maintained or processed by J.P. Morgan. The policies shall be approved by senior management and contain penalties or sanctions for noncompliance. J.P. Morgan’s security policy shall provide a framework for information security management within its overall organization.
    That policy must have an explicit section on the handling and management of personal information. Explicit procedures must exist that describe how personal information is to be managed, including disposal and destruction of data after its useful life.
  §   J.P. Morgan shall have dedicated resources (e.g. an Information Security manager or group) to foster and focus on information security efforts. The following details of the individuals shall be provided to GS: contact details, a name, phone number and email address.

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  §   J.P. Morgan shall have a written security plan that provides a framework for information security management within their organization. The plan should address the following key points:
    The delegation and assignment of responsibilities for security.
 
    Management oversight for the plan and its deployment.
 
    The means for managing security within the enterprise.
 
    Policies and procedures for data confidentiality and privacy.
 
    Methods of handling sensitive or confidential information received from or with respect to customers.
 
    Incident response in the event of a breach of security, or unauthorized disclosure of, customer Data
  Internal Audit / Security Reviews
  §   Periodic security audits or assessments, including testing of the system of controls, should be performed by an independent audit group within J.P. Morgan on a periodic basis. The audits should include testing of J.P. Morgan’s information security procedures as well.
 
  §   J.P. Morgan shall provide GS with details from its last security audit or review conducted by a qualified third-party. The details shall include the name of the reviewing company, the date of the review and a general statement on the overall security posture of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks, facilities and operations.
 
  §   J.P. Morgan shall have a process for correcting control deficiencies that have been identified in audits or assessments, including follow up documentation providing evidence of such corrections.
  Personnel Practices
    All employees, non-employee workers, consultants, temporary workers and other persons, such as third party J.P. Morgans and subcontractors, who may have access to J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks and facilities shall be made aware of, and be required to adhere to, the security policies of the J.P. Morgan and have training in security practices, including the handling of sensitive or confidential customer information.
  Employee Remote Electronic Access
  §   Persons electronically accessing the J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks remotely must be authenticated using 2-factor authentication.

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  §   Employee Remote Access Solutions must technically prevent the export of Data to the person’s local computer situated outside the J.P. Morgan’s facilities.
  Storage of Data on Mobile Devices
  §   J.P. Morgan must ensure the security of data on distributed devices by requiring the following:
  O   No data storage devices that may contain GS Data are permitted to leave J.P. Morgan’s facility without express written permission from J.P. Morgan.
 
  O   Laptops used by J.P. Morgan personnel to conduct GS business or provide services or products to GS must be the property of GS or J.P. Morgan. No personal laptops owned by J.P. Morgan’s personnel may be used for such activities.
 
  O   If any laptop or other mobile hardware contains GS Data, the GS Data shall be encrypted with a minimum 128-bit encryption key length.
 
  O   All GS Data transferred to or from the mobile device must be inventoried and logged, and J.P. Morgan shall retain the inventory files and logs for ninety (90) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement
 
  O   Suspected loss or theft of any device which may contain GS Data must be reported immediately by J.P. Morgan personnel to J.P. Morgan, and reported immediately by J.P. Morgan to GS.
§   Outsourcing/Subcontracting/Reliance by J.P. Morgan on Third Parties:
  §   If J.P. Morgan outsources or subcontracts the provisions of services or products provided to GS to third parties, or otherwise relies on third parties to fulfill J.P. Morgan’s information technology or Security functions, then the J.P. Morgan shall require the following:
    Formal written agreements that require the security controls employed by the third parties to be consistent with J.P. Morgan’s security practices and this Exhibit. In addition, J.P. Morgan must enter into written confidentiality agreements with such third parties.
 
    J.P. Morgan shall review, or have an independent audit or risk management group within J.P. Morgan assess, the third party’s security posture.
 
    J.P. Morgan shall provide prior notice to GS in connection with all such outsourcing, subcontracts or other reliance after the date of this Agreement.

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§ Back-up and Business Continuity Plans
  §   J.P. Morgan shall have a data backup and offsite storage process, including backup/storage schedules and control requirements that address the following:
    J.P. Morgan shall have business continuity plans in place which define contingency plans and provide for the testing of such contingency plans. J.P. Morgan shall indicate the frequency of such testing and ensure that those plans ensure the J.P. Morgan’s Service Level commitments to GS can be met.
 
    Data backups stored both on and off J.P. Morgan’s site shall be maintained in a secure climate-controlled environment with sufficient controls to ensure the backup media are actually being received by the storage facility and that transportation boxes containing such media have not been tampered with, diverted or lost during transport. GS Data maintained off of J.P. Morgan’s premises for backup and contingency purposes shall be stored, using industry standard technologies prior to being moved offsite. J.P. Morgan is responsible for ensuring all secured Data can be recovered as necessary for business continuity purposes or upon request by GS.
 
    GS’s Data shall be irreversibly removed, to the extent possible per current technology, all storage mechanisms and electronic media when such Data is no longer needed for the provision of services or products to GS, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan and in compliance with J.P. Morgan’s IT Policies and Standards.
§   Security and Processing Controls
 
§   J.P. Morgan shall have standards and procedures in-place to address system configuration, operation and management controls for the Systems and Networks, including the following:
    J.P. Morgan shall employ industry-standard security technologies to protect GS Data, including but not limited to physical access controls and logical access controls.
 
    Security controls appropriate for the Systems and Networks and their application environment as recommended by manufacturers and best practices published by industry organizations.
 
    Identification and patching of security vulnerabilities. Change control process and procedures.
 
    Problem management.
 
    Incident detection, response and management.

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    Data access entitlement and a review process for existing entitlements and changes to them
§   If J.P. Morgan connects to the Internet or other external facilities it shall have the following in place:
    Technology controls including firewalls, security monitoring and alerting systems (i.e. Intrusion Detection Systems).
 
    When communicating with GS, J.P. Morgan must implement GS’s preferred security protocols, including secure email, to the extent practicable.
 
    When communicating outside J.P. Morgan’s firm via email, WebMail, Chat or other channels, J.P. Morgan shall implement data content and data quantity controls to detect the leakage of GS Data outside J.P. Morgan’s firm via those channels. Processes must be in place to monitor those controls and follow-up suspected incidents relating to the security of such channels.
 
    Automated transfers of GS Data from GS to J.P. Morgan shall be secured using appropriate network and/or data controls. Upon receipt of an automated transfer, the GS Data shall be immediately and automatically imported exclusively into a Core Application. Logs of such receipt and importation must be kept and retained for ninety (90) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement. All remnants of the original GS Data data file (i.e., not the copy imported into the Core Application) shall be purged from all locations within twenty-four (24) hours of the GS Data’s importation into the Core Application.
 
    Access to GS Data held on Core Applications is restricted and end users are permitted by policy to bulk export data out of the application only for authorized business purposes. “Bulk export” includes, without limitation, the creation of reports, spreadsheets and other end user documents or files that include more than one record.
 
    GS Data used for analysis purposes as part of, or in connection with, the migration of GS Data to a Core Application is purged from all locations in accordance with J.P. Morgan IT Policies and Standards. The purge shall include GS Data maintained in email, fileshares, FTP servers, etc.
  Information Storage and Processing
    J.P. Morgan shall store and process production GS Data in a controlled (i.e., production, DR or user acceptance testing) environment only. J.P. Morgan shall ensure that non-controlled environments used for development, testing, or any

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      non-controlled activity shall only use test data, and in such cases the test data shall not contain any GS Data.
  Notification & Reporting Obligations
    J.P. Morgan shall notify GS of the following events without undue delay, as soon as practicable after the event, except where immediate notice is required below:
  O   Upon request annually, change, including by resignation, in information security staff responsible for GS Data or J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  O   Suspected breaches/compromises (beyond an Attempted Attack) of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks, and claims or threats of such events made by any J.P. Morgan Personnel or external person (immediate notice required);
 
  O   Termination of any Personnel for cause, where related to such Personnel’s potential or actual misuse or compromise of GS Data or J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  O   If permitted by applicable Law, any law enforcement or governmental investigation or inquiry into suspected misuse or abuse of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  O   If any of the GS Data is or was left unprotected, or is or was insufficiently protected for its level of sensitivity and risk, irrespective of whether a security breach has occurred (immediate notice required);
 
  O   The loss of any physical device that may have contained GS Data (immediate notice required).
 
  O   J.P. Morgan will provide reporting, as requested by GS, to GS regarding access to GS Data maintained in the Systems and Networks.
    Notice to Affected Persons of Compromise of Personal Information.
  O   J.P. Morgan shall cooperate with GS in satisfying any legal requirement that requires Customer or J.P. Morgan to provide notice to a person (“Affected Person”) that a suspected breach/compromise of such person’s information is believed to have occurred. J.P. Morgan shall contact GS’s Information Security Department with details of the suspected breach/compromise immediately following its discovery by J.P. Morgan. If notice to Affected Persons is required by law, or if such notice is contemplated by J.P. Morgan, prior to giving such notice J.P. Morgan shall consult with GS as to notice method, content as described below. The timing of any notice to an Affected Person shall be delayed in order to

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      implement any GS and J.P. Morgan measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach/compromise or to remedy or limit the breach/compromise, or if any law enforcement or other government agency advises GS or J.P. Morgan that the issuance of the notice will impede a criminal or other investigation.
    Method of Notice. Unless otherwise approved by GS, J.P. Morgan shall not provide notice to an Affected Person by unsecure means. “Unsecure means” shall include, without limitation, unencrypted email, and publication on a public website that does not provide a secure sockets layer session for the Affected Person’s password-protected access. In addition, unless otherwise approved by GS, J.P. Morgan shall not provide notice via press release, print media or broadcast media.
 
    Content of Notice. The content of J.P. Morgan’s notices to the Affected Person shall be subject to GS’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
 
    Cost of Notice. Customer shall not require any notice method or notice content that requires J.P. Morgan to incur any additional cost beyond the cost imposed upon J.P. Morgan by law.
 
    Survival. J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this provision shall survive the termination and expiration of the Agreement.
  Examination of Records.
  O   During the Term and for thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall implement and maintain backup processes sufficient to keep detailed, accurate and up-to-date accounts and records, including computer logs, of all information security activities carried out, and all costs and expenses for which GS must reimburse J.P. Morgan, incurred in the performance of its information security obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall retain such audit records for the time period required by J.P. Morgan IT Policies and Standards. Upon GS’s request, and subject to the restrictions on Confidential Information set forth in this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall allow GS or its authorized representatives to examine and copy such accounts and records as GS determines may be relevant to information security issues and related expenses arising under this Agreement. Such examination and copying shall occur at reasonable intervals and upon reasonable notice during the Term and for thirty (30) days thereafter. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall also provide GS with a then-current “snapshot” recordation

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      on appropriate media of the accounts and records required to be made available for examination under this provision.
  Information Security-Related Termination Rights
  O   GS shall have the right to terminate immediately the GS-J.P. Morgan Agreement on the occurrence of J.P. Morgan’s failure to comply with this Exhibit, without penalty or charge to GS.

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Audit and Inspection by GS
  Audit Right . J.P. Morgan shall keep detailed accounts and records of all activities carried out, and all costs and expenses incurred, in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Upon reasonable notice to J.P. Morgan and during normal business hours, GS or the Funds or their designee has the to audit and verify the Fund’s Books and Records, J.P. Morgan’s operating environment and other areas of service (including those of any subcontractors) to ensure, among other things, that J.P. Morgan is maintaining adequate controls and security measures, that J.P. Morgan’s billings to GS are correct, that reports relating to J.P. Morgan’s performance are accurate and that J.P. Morgan is otherwise complying with this Agreement. GS may conduct audit and verification reviews itself or with the assistance of a third party organization (provided that the third party organization executes a confidentiality agreement that contains protections for confidential information comparable to this Agreement), at GS’s expense. All audits shall be performed in a manner intended to minimize disruption to the parties’ respective businesses. All such audits and verifications may be conducted during the term of this Agreement and for a period of five (5) years] after the termination of this Agreement.
 
  Access . Without limiting the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall provide access, without limitation, to GS, its auditors (including internal audit staff), inspectors, regulators, consultants, and other representatives, to: (i) facilities where the services are being performed; (ii) personnel and subcontractors providing any of the services; and (iii) data and records in the possession of J.P. Morgan relating to any of the services. The applicable GS and GS’s designees shall adhere to J.P. Morgan’s customary security and safety policies.
 
  Cooperation . J.P. Morgan shall assist the applicable GS’s auditors (including internal audit staff), inspectors, regulators, consultants and other representatives as is reasonably required. J.P. Morgan shall cooperate fully with GS or its designees in connection with audit functions and with regard to examinations by regulatory authorities and shall, on a timely basis, furnish each with information requested.
 
  Categories of Audits . Audits and inspections shall be limited to information relating to the services, and may include: (i) J.P. Morgan’s practices and procedures; (ii) J.P. Morgan’s computer systems; (iii) J.P. Morgan’s controls and security measures and procedures; (iv) J.P. Morgan’s disaster recovery and back-up procedures; (v) any matter necessary to enable GS to meet requirements of law; (vi) J.P. Morgan’s compliance with Applicable Levels of Service; (vii) Books and Records; and (viii) J.P. Morgan’s procedures to maintain the confidentiality of GS’s Confidential Information.
 
  No interference . In no event shall GS while conducting audits and investigations materially interfere with J.P. Morgan’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or conduct its other operations in the ordinary course of business.
 
  Audit Expenses . GS shall bear its expenses relating to any audit performed under this provision; provided, however, if any such inspection reveals any invoice or payment has not been rendered or made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and results in

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    an overcharge to GS which results in a refund or credit of the overcharge, J.P. Morgan shall reimburse GS for its reasonable internal costs and external expenses in connection with any audit without prejudice to any other remedies or claims of GS.
 
  Exit Conference . Following an audit or examination by GS, GS may (in its sole discretion) conduct (in the case of an internal audit), or request its external auditors or examiners to conduct, an exit conference with J.P. Morgan to obtain J.P. Morgan’s factual concurrence with issues identified in the review.

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Physical Security Procedures
Guidelines for minimum physical security measures to be implemented at service locations maintained by J.P. Morgan for services under this Agreement (“J.P. Morgan Service Locations”).
Scope
J.P. Morgan will maintain a Corporate Security Department that will manage the security and life safety functions of the firm. The Corporate Security Department is expected to review the security posture of every J.P. Morgan Service Location and prepare a security plan based upon J.P. Morgan’s corporate standards and the policies detailed in this document.
Administration/Reporting
Security Responsibility
Every J.P. Morgan Service Location, regardless of size, must have one person responsible for security matters. An appropriate employee shall be given this assignment to maintain reliability and assurance.
Duties, Location Security Representative: (All Locations)
Prepare a security plan (“ Security Plan ”) that conforms to the guidelines set forth in this document and in those policies set forth by the Corporate Security Department.
Ensure that fire evacuation plans and any other crisis plans applicable to that J.P. Morgan Service Location, are viable and tested as required.
Maintain a file containing any material security related problems that occur in the J.P. Morgan Service Location; security and safety related issues in the building; and incidents that occur in the city/country that relate to security/safety, of J.P. Morgan, its personnel, and its clients.
Report significant incidents to J.P. Morgan corporate security in a timely manner. Track and report on an ongoing basis those local incidents that denote a significant threat or that may adversely affect J.P. Morgan and/or the J.P. Morgan Service Location.
Maintain the emergency contact lists for both local contacts and for internal J.P. Morgan notification.
Reports (All Locations)
  1.   Security/safety reports shared by J.P. Morgan with and as requested by GS may be redacted to exclude confidential customer information. However, all issues that relate to the general security/safety environment in the J.P. Morgan Service Location could potentially affect GS interest and should be disclosed by the J.P. Morgan.

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Corporate Security
  1.   J.P. Morgan Corporate Security shall maintain a central repository of copies of J.P. Morgan Service Location security plans.
 
  2.   J.P. Morgan Corporate Security may assist any J.P. Morgan Service Location in developing its security plan.
Physical Security
Access Control
The goal of a facility access control system and its procedure is to limit access to those who have a legitimate reason for entering and to restrict the movement of visitors and J.P. Morgan to those parts of the facility where they have a legitimate purpose. In some cases this restriction will apply to employees, as in the case of limiting access to a computer/equipment room, cage area or segregated department.
It is highly recommended that J.P. Morgan Service Locations utilize access control systems. All J.P. Morgan Service Locations that do not utilize and maintain functioning electronic access card systems must be pre-approved by GS.
1.   Electronic Access Cards:
    Can be used as an ID Card when required or desired.
 
    Creates a record of persons entering access doors at all times.
 
    Avoids the time and cost of replacing keys, locks, etc.
2.   Receptionist:
  a.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations should have a receptionist or security officer during working hours.
 
  b.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have some means of controlling access after regular business hours when the receptionist or security officer is not present.
    CCTV on access points.
 
    Door locked and manually opened after hours upon presentation of ID by visitor to security officer or other employee.
 
    Security Officer posted at entry points.

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Alarms
INTRUSION ALARMS: All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have an intrusion alarm system that, at a minimum, protects all perimeter openings and major data center portals.
CCTV
The extent of CCTV required will be site-specific and determined on a case by case basis. However, at a minimum :
  1.   J.P. Morgan Service Location entry points and major data center portals shall be covered by CCTV.
 
  2.   All cameras must be recorded with recorders located in a secure area and stored for a reasonable period.
Visitors
Reception Areas
  1.   No client or visitor should be allowed past the reception area unless they have been positively identified and the person to be visited has verified the appointment.
 
  2.   Doors from reception areas to J.P. Morgan Service Location space should be kept locked and controlled by the receptionist or opened by the person escorting.
Security Officers
  1.   Security Officers are a J.P. Morgan Service Location option.
 
  2.   J.P. Morgan shall employ procedures for hiring Security Officers.
Emergency Procedures
Fire/Evacuation Plan
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a Fire/Evacuation Plan and must review it for personnel and other changes as required, minimally once a year.
 
  2.   Every J.P. Morgan Service Location must be familiar with the building’s fire plan. J.P. Morgan’s plan must then take this into consideration. J.P. Morgan must conduct tests to ensure that employees recognize the fire alarm warning system.
 
  3.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a fire alarm and suppression system that complies with local fire codes.

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Bomb Threat Procedure
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a bomb threat response plan that provides for a rational response to a bomb threat. The most critical phase in the process is the assessment of the threat and the decision to evacuate.
 
  2.   The evacuation procedures for the bomb threat plan should mimic the fire evacuation procedures.
Emergency Contact Lists
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must maintain up to date Emergency Contact Lists. At a minimum these lists should be updated periodically as needed and should contain the following information:
    A list containing the local J.P. Morgan Service Location personnel who would be involved in security problems or other emergencies
 
    All government agencies that could lend support during an emergency
 
    Utilities
 
    Repair personnel, etc.
 
    A list containing all pertinent contact personnel at headquarters and at other regional J.P. Morgan Service Locations
Shredding Policy
    All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have an appropriate shredding policy and plan in place.

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Mutual Fund Rider to Global Custody Agreement
Between JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Goldman Sachs Trust
effective June 30, 2006
The following modifications are made to the Agreement:
     A. Add a new Section 2.18 to the Agreement as follows:
     “2.18. Compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rule 17f-5 (“rule 17f-5”) .
     (a) Customer’s board of trustees (or equivalent body) (hereinafter ‘Board’) hereby delegates to Bank, and, except as to the country or countries as to which Bank may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept such delegation, Bank hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to perform as Customer’s ‘Foreign Custody Manager’ (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3) as promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)), including for the purposes of: (i) selecting Eligible Foreign Custodians (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(1), and as the same may be amended from time to time, or that have otherwise been exempted pursuant to an SEC exemptive order) to hold foreign Financial Assets and Cash, (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2)), (iii) monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)).
     (b) In connection with the foregoing, Bank shall:
(i) provide written reports notifying Customer’s Board of the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians, and also provide a description of Bank’s threshold for determination that a change in arrangements is material, with such reports to be provided to Customer’s Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of Customer’s foreign custody arrangements (and until further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and with reasonable promptness upon the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such Eligible Foreign Custodians); Customer considers any change that affects safe custody, beneficial ownership or transferability of Customer’s Financial Assets and Cash to constitute a “material change.”
(ii) exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign Financial Assets and cash would exercise;
(iii) in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first have determined that foreign Financial Assets and cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having considered all factors relevant to the

50


 

safekeeping of such foreign Financial Assets and cash, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
(iv) determine that the written contract with an Eligible Foreign Custodian satisfies the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2), requires that the Eligible Foreign Custodian shall provide reasonable care for foreign Financial Assets and Cash based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market and provides indemnification for losses arising out of or in connection with the Eligible Foreign Custodian’s performance of its obligations.
(v) have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of maintaining foreign Financial Assets and cash with particular Eligible Foreign Custodians and of the governing contractual arrangements in accordance with Rule 17f-5(c)(3); it being understood, however, that in the event that Bank shall have determined that the existing Eligible Foreign Custodian in a given country would no longer afford foreign Financial Assets and cash reasonable care and that no other Eligible Foreign Custodian in that country would afford reasonable care, Bank shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected foreign Financial Assets and cash. Bank shall also notify Customer of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements.
Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, Bank is hereby authorized to place and maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash on behalf of Customer with Eligible Foreign Custodians pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by Bank.
     (c) Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign Financial Assets and cash hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders as promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.
     (d) Bank represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to Bank that: (1) the foreign Financial Assets and cash being placed and maintained in Bank’s custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board: (i) has determined that it is reasonable to rely on Bank to perform as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager (ii) or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash in each country in which Customer’s Financial Assets and cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept Country Risk. Nothing contained herein shall require Bank to make any selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk.
     (e) Bank shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country Risk and in the mode of transmission as is specified in Appendix 1 hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular markets; and (ii) Bank has gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that Bank shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information provided that Bank has used reasonable care in gathering the information and selecting the sources.

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     B. Add a new Section 2.19 to the Agreement as follows:
     2.19. Compliance with SEC rule 17f-7 (“rule 17f-7”) .
     (a) Bank shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s Foreign Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository used by Bank as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not used by Bank as of the date hereof, prior to the initial placement of Customer’s foreign Assets at such Depository) and at which any foreign Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing analysis will be provided to Customer at Bank’s Website. In connection with the foregoing, Customer shall notify Bank of any Eligible Securities Depositories at which it does not choose to have its Foreign Assets held. Bank shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify Customer or its adviser of any material changes in such risks.
     (b) Bank shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the requirements set forth in Section 2.19(a) above.
     (c) Based on the information available to it in the exercise of due diligence, Bank shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7 of each depository before including it on Schedule 3 hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if any Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible by facsimile or electronic transmission of notice. (Eligible Securities Depositories used by Bank as of the date hereof are set forth hereto, and as the same may be amended on notice to Customer from time to time.)
     C. Add the following after the first sentence of Section 5.1(a) of the Agreement: “At the request of Customer, Bank may, but need not, add to Schedule 1 an Eligible Foreign Custodian where Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the selection thereof. Bank shall notify Customer in the event that it elects to add any such entity.”
     D. Add the following language as Sections 5.1(d), (e) and (f) of the Agreement:
   (d) The term Subcustodian as used herein shall mean the following:
(i) a ‘U.S. Bank,’ which shall mean a U.S. bank as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7);
(ii) an ‘Eligible Foreign Custodian,’ which shall mean: (i) a banking institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such by that country’s government or an agency thereof, and (ii) a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. bank or bank holding company which subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States. In addition, an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall also mean any other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.

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(iii) For purposes of clarity, it is agreed that as used in Section 5.2(a), the term Subcustodian shall not include any Eligible Foreign Custodian as to which Bank has not acted as Foreign Custody Manager.
     (e) The term ‘securities depository’ as used herein when referring to a securities depository located outside the U.S. shall mean:
an “Eligible Securities Depository” which, in turn, shall have the same meaning as in rule 17f-7(b)(1)(i)-(vi) as the same may be amended from time to time, or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order; provided that, prior to the compliance date with rule 17f-7 for a particular securities depository the term “securities depositories” shall be as defined in (a)(1)(ii)-(iii) of the 1997 amendments to rule 17f-5.
     (f) The term “securities depository” as used herein when referring to a securities depository located in the U.S. shall mean a “securities depository” as defined in rule 17f-4(a).

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Appendix 1-A
Information Regarding Country Risk
     1. To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, Bank shall furnish annually and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and cash into a country the following information (check items applicable):
         
 
  A   Opinions of local counsel concerning:
 
       
___
  i.   Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access afforded Customer’s independent public accountants to books and records kept by an eligible foreign custodian located in that country.
 
       
___
  ii.   Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover its Financial Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in that country.
 
       
___
  iii.   Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the control of an Eligible Foreign Custodian located in the country.
 
       
 
  B.   Written information concerning:
 
       
___
  i.   The foreseeability of expropriation, nationalization, freezes, or confiscation of Customer’s Financial Assets.
 
       
___
  ii.   Whether difficulties in converting Customer’s cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars are reasonably foreseeable.
 
       
 
  C.   A market report with respect to the following topics:
 
       
    (i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) depositories (including depository evaluation), if any.
     2. To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, Bank shall furnish board the following additional information:
     Market flashes, including with respect to changes in the information in market reports.

 


 

Schedule 2
ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES

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CASH SWEEP RIDER
END-OF-DAY SWEEP SERVICE INTO
NASSAU OVERNIGHT TIME DEPOSITS
As a current or new subscriber to the WSS “end-of-day” sweep service, it is important that you understand how the WSS end-of-day sweep service is operated.
At the end of each business day, collected account balances in subscriber custody accounts will be withdrawn automatically and credited to a WSS omnibus cash account pending deposit to a JPMorgan Chase Nassau branch pooled U.S. Dollar deposit account (the “Pooled Nassau Deposit”). WSS maintain records of each subscriber’s deposit interest in the Pooled Nassau Deposit. Further, WSS will arrange for withdrawals from the Pooled Nassau Deposit necessary to cover any overdrafts to the custody accounts based upon information available to WSS at the end of each business day.
Note that (a) funds held in the Pooled Nassau Account constitute a “deposit payable only at an office located outside the United States” as such phrase is defined in §204.2(t) of Federal Reserve Regulation D, and (b) such funds therefore are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Deposits into and withdrawals from the Pooled Nassau Deposit will be aggregated after the close of business and reallocated accordingly, among the various sweep subscriber accounts. On those business days when the aggregate deposits exceed the aggregate withdrawals for the Pooled Nassau Deposit, WSS will deposit an additional amount representing the net difference. On those business days, however, when the aggregate withdrawals exceed the aggregate fund deposits for the Pooled Nassau Deposit, WSS will withdraw the net difference and use the proceeds to cover debit balances in subscriber accounts.
The net deposit or withdraw for the Pooled Nassau Deposit will be processed through the omnibus cash account on the next business day. Those custody accounts with debit balances, requiring withdrawals from the Pooled Nassau Deposit, will receive provisionally from WSS same-day credit for such withdrawal.
For those custody accounts making deposits, WSS will accrue interest earnings on deposits into the Pooled Nassau Deposit as of the day funds are withdrawn from the custody account. However, for those custody accounts withdrawing amounts from the Pooled Nassau Deposit (to cover overdrafts or otherwise), WSS will retain the previous days interest earnings on the amount withdrawn.
Deposits in the Pooled Nassau Deposit will be reflected on monthly custody account statements as having been made on the date the funds were withdrawn from the custody accounts by WSS. Similarly, withdrawals from the Pooled Nassau Deposit will be reflected on monthly custody account statements as having been made the date WSS credited the custody accounts for the payments that prompted the withdrawal. The records of JPMorgan Chase’s Nassau branch, however, will not reflect the deposits or withdrawals until the next business day.

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RUSSIA RIDER
Executed Hard Copy Incorporated Herein by Reference.

3

 

Exhibit (h)(30)
EXECUTION COPY
MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICE AGREEMENT
Goldman Sachs Trust
June 30, 2006

 


 

MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICES AGREEMENT
Table of Contents
         
Section     Page  
1.  Appointment
    1  
 
       
2.  Representations and Warranties
    1  
 
       
3.  Delivery of Documents
    3  
 
       
4.  Services Provided
    4  
 
       
5.  Fees and Expenses
    4  
 
       
6.  Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
    6  
 
       
7.  Term
    9  
 
       
8.  Notices
    10  
 
       
9.  Waiver
    10  
 
       
10.  Force Majeure
    10  
 
       
11.  Amendments
    10  
 
       
12.  Severability
    11  
 
       
13.  Governing Law
    11  
 
       
14.  Privacy
    11  
 
       
15.  Records
    11  
 
       
16.  Statutory Trust
    12  
 
       
17.  Additional Portfolios
    12  
 
       
18.  Use of Name
    12  
 
       
19.  Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants
    12  

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Section     Page  
20.  Compliance
    13  
 
       
21.  Insurance
    13  
 
       
Signatures
    14  
 
       
Schedule A — Fees and Expenses
    A-1  
 
       
Schedule B — Fund Accounting Services Description
    B-1  
 
       
Schedule C — Security Management
    C-1  

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MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICES AGREEMENT
          AGREEMENT made as of June 30, 2006 by and between the Goldman Sachs Trust (“Fund”), a Delaware Statutory Trust, on behalf of each investment portfolio listed on Schedule 1, and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (“J.P. Morgan”), a Delaware corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
          WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
          WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate classes and series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities or other assets; and
          WHEREAS, the Fund on behalf of the portfolios and each class of shares of a portfolio, wishes to contract with J.P. Morgan to provide certain services with respect to the Fund;
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
     1.  Appointment . The Fund hereby appoints J.P. Morgan to provide services for the Fund, as described hereinafter, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. J.P. Morgan accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth in return for the compensation as provided in Section 5 of and Schedule A to this Agreement.
     2.  Representations and Warranties .
          (a) J.P. Morgan represents and warrants to the Fund that:
               (i) J.P. Morgan is a corporation, duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
               (ii) J.P. Morgan is duly qualified to carry on its business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
               (iii) J.P. Morgan is empowered under applicable laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;
               (iv) all requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize J.P. Morgan to enter into and perform this Agreement;

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               (v) J.P. Morgan has, and will continue to have, access to the facilities, personnel and equipment required to fully perform its duties and obligations hereunder;
               (vi) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair J.P. Morgan’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and
               (vii) J.P. Morgan’s entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of J.P. Morgan or any law or regulation applicable to J.P. Morgan;
          (b) The Fund represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that:
               (i) the Fund is a Delaware statutory trust, duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware;
               (ii) the Fund is empowered under applicable laws and by its Charter Document and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;
               (iii) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize the Fund to enter into and perform this Agreement;
               (iv) the Fund is an investment company properly registered under the 1940 Act;
               (v) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and the 1940 Act on Form N-1A has been filed and will be effective and will remain effective during the term of this Agreement, and all necessary filings under the laws of the states will have been made and will be current during the term of this Agreement;
               (vi) no legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Fund’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
               (vii) the Fund’s registration statements comply in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act (including the rules and regulations thereunder) and none of the Fund’s prospectuses and/or statements of additional information contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and

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               (viii) the Fund’s entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.
     3.  Delivery of Documents . The Fund will promptly furnish to J.P. Morgan such copies, properly certified or authenticated, of contracts, documents and other related information that J.P. Morgan may request or requires to properly discharge its duties. Such documents may include but are not limited to the following:
          (a) Resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of J.P. Morgan to provide certain services to the Fund and approving this Agreement;
          (b) The Fund’s Charter Document;
          (c) The Fund’s By-Laws;
          (d) The Fund’s Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);
          (e) The Fund’s registration statement including exhibits, as amended, on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as filed with the SEC;
          (f) Copies of the Investment Management Agreement between the Fund and its investment adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”);
          (g) Opinions of counsel and auditors’ reports;
          (h) The Fund’s prospectus(es) and statement(s) of additional information relating to all funds, series, portfolios and classes, as applicable, and all amendments and supplements thereto (such Prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information and supplements thereto, as presently in effect and as from time to time hereafter amended and supplemented, herein called the “Prospectuses”); and
          (i) Such other agreements as the Fund may enter into from time to time including securities lending agreements, futures and commodities account agreements, brokerage agreements and options agreements.

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     4.  Services Provided.
          (a) J.P. Morgan will provide the following services subject to the control, direction and supervision of the Board and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Fund’s Registration Statement, Charter Document and By-Laws; applicable U.S. laws and regulations; and all resolutions and policies implemented by the Board, of which J.P. Morgan has been notified by the Fund:
               (i) Fund Accounting.
A detailed description of the above services is contained in Schedule B to this Agreement.
          (b) J.P. Morgan will also:
               (i) provide office facilities with respect to the provision of the services contemplated herein (which may be in the offices of J.P. Morgan or a corporate affiliate of J.P. Morgan); on the date hereof the office shall be located at: 73 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108.
               (ii) provide or otherwise obtain personnel sufficient for provision of the services contemplated herein;
               (iii) furnish equipment and other materials, which are necessary or desirable for provision of the services contemplated herein; and
               (iv) establish a service level agreement which will be applicable to this Agreement to be mutually agreed to by J.P. Morgan and the Fund.
     5.  Fees and Expenses.
          (a) As compensation for the services rendered to the Fund pursuant to this Agreement the Fund shall pay J.P. Morgan monthly fees determined as set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement. Such fees are to be billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon any termination of the provision of services under this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of such termination.
          (b) For the purpose of determining fees calculated as a function of the Fund’s assets, the value of the Fund’s assets and net assets shall be computed as required by its currently effective Prospectus, generally accepted accounting principles, and resolutions of the Board.

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          (c) The Fund may request additional services, additional processing, or special reports, with such specifications and requirements documentation as may be reasonably required by J.P. Morgan. In addition, significant regulatory and legal changes and changes in the Fund’s status may necessitate additional services, processing or reports. In either instance, if J.P. Morgan elects to provide such services or arrange for their provision, it shall be entitled to additional fees and expenses, as agreed to by the Fund.
          (d) J.P. Morgan will bear its own expenses in connection with the performance of the services under this Agreement except as provided herein or as agreed to by the parties. Unless such expenses are related to J.P. Morgan’s responsibilities under this Agreement, the Fund agrees to promptly reimburse J.P. Morgan for any services, equipment or supplies ordered by or for the Fund through J.P. Morgan and for any other expenses that J.P. Morgan may reasonably incur on the Fund’s behalf at the Fund’s request or as consented to in writing by the Fund. Such other expenses include, but are not limited to: taxes; interest; brokerage fees and commissions; salaries and fees of officers and trustees who are not officers, directors, shareholders or employees of J.P. Morgan, or the Fund’s investment adviser or distributor; SEC and state Blue Sky registration and qualification fees, levies, fines and other charges; EDGAR filing fees, processing services and related fees; postage and mailing costs; costs of share certificates; advisory and administration fees; charges and expenses of pricing and data services, independent public accountants and custodians; insurance premiums including fidelity bond premiums; legal expenses; consulting fees; customary bank charges and fees; costs of maintenance trust existence; expenses of typesetting and printing of Prospectuses for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current shareholders of the Fund (the Fund’s distributor to bear the expense of all other printing, production, and distribution of Prospectuses, and marketing materials); expenses of printing and production costs of shareholders’ reports and proxy statements and materials; expenses of proxy solicitation, proxy tabulation and annual meetings; costs and expenses of Fund stationery and forms; costs and expenses of special telephone and data lines and devices; costs associated with trust, shareholder, and Board meetings; trade association dues and expenses; reasonable reprocessing costs to J.P. Morgan caused by third party errors, as agreed to by the Fund; copying charges; overtime work when necessitated by unusual client requests; microfilm and storage, audio response unit costs; transfer agency fees, class specific servicing and 12b-1 fees; service termination and conversion costs; any expenses necessitated by regulatory or legal changes; and any extraordinary expenses and other customary

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Fund expenses. In addition, J.P. Morgan may utilize one or more independent pricing services to obtain securities prices and to act as backup to the primary pricing services designated by the Fund, in connection with determining the net asset values of the Fund. The Fund will reimburse J.P. Morgan for the Fund’s share of the cost of such services based upon the actual usage, or a pro-rata estimate of the use, of the services for the benefit of the Fund.
          (e) All fees, out-of-pocket expenses, or additional charges of J.P. Morgan shall be billed on a monthly basis and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice.
          (f) J.P. Morgan will render, after the close of each month in which services have been furnished, a statement reflecting all of the charges for such month. Invoices shall be paid within (30) thirty days of receipt.
          (g) In the event that the Fund is more than sixty (60) days delinquent in its payments of monthly billings in connection with this Agreement (with the exception of specific amounts which may be contested in good faith by the Fund and delay in transmission of billing attributable to J.P. Morgan), this Agreement may be terminated upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Fund by J.P. Morgan. The Fund must notify J.P. Morgan in writing of any contested amounts within thirty (30) days of receipt of a billing for such amounts. Disputed amounts are not due and payable while they are being investigated.
     6.  Limitation of Liability and Indemnification .
          (a) J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or expense suffered by the Fund or third parties, in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except for a loss or expense caused by or resulting from J.P. Morgan’s negligence or willful misconduct.
          (b) Provided that in all instances J.P. Morgan and the other Indemnitees (as defined below) have satisfied the standard of care in paragraph 6(a), J.P. Morgan shall not be responsible for, and the Fund shall indemnify and hold J.P. Morgan and its directors, officers, agents and employees (collectively the “Indemnitees”) harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties and expenses, including out-of-pocket and incidental expenses and legal fees (“Losses”) that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the Indemnitees or any of them in the performance of its/their duties hereunder, including but not limited to those arising out of or attributable to:

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               (i) any and all actions of the Indemnitees required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement;
               (ii) the reliance on or use by the Indemnitees of information, records, or documents which are received by the Indemnitees and furnished to it or them by or on behalf of the Fund, and which have been prepared or maintained by the Fund or any third party on behalf of the Fund;
               (iii) the Fund’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement or the Fund’s lack of good faith, or its actions, or lack thereof, involving gross negligence or willful misfeasance;
               (iv) the breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder;
               (v) following any instructions or other directions reasonably believed to be requests of the Fund or otherwise duly authorized, and upon which J.P. Morgan is authorized to rely pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
               (vi) any delays, inaccuracies, errors in or omissions from information or data provided to J.P. Morgan by the Fund, its investment advisers and/or sub-advisers, and providers of other services such as data services, corporate action services, pricing services or securities brokerage;
               (vii) the offer or sale of shares by the Fund in violation of any requirement under the Federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state, or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any Federal agency or any state agency with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state (1) resulting from activities, actions, or omissions by the Fund or its other service providers and agents, or (2) existing or arising out of activities, actions or omissions by or on behalf of the Fund prior to the effective date of this Agreement;
               (viii) any failure of the Fund’s registration statement to comply with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act (including the rules and regulations thereunder) and any other applicable laws, or any untrue statement of a material fact or omission of a material fact necessary to make any statement therein not misleading in a Fund’s prospectus;
               (ix) the actions taken by the Fund, its investment adviser and/or sub-advisers, and its distributor in compliance with applicable securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and regulations, or the failure to so comply; and

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               (x) all actions, inactions, omissions, or errors caused by third parties to whom the Fund or the Indemnitees have assigned any rights and/or delegated any duties under this Agreement at the request and direction of the Fund or as required by the Fund, its investment advisers, distributor, or sponsor, provided that the Indemnitees did not select or participate in the selection of the third parties (for avoidance of doubt, the Fund acknowledges that J.P. Morgan does not participate in the selection of pricing vendors).
          (c) In performing its services hereunder, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to rely on any oral or written instructions, notices or other communications, including electronic transmissions, from the Fund and its officers and directors, investment advisers and sub-advisers, agents and other service providers which J.P. Morgan reasonably believes to be genuine, valid and authorized. The Fund shall provide in writing to J.P. Morgan, from time to time, a list of persons authorized to give oral or written instructions on behalf of the Fund. J.P. Morgan shall also be entitled to consult with and rely on the advice and opinions of outside legal counsel and public accountants retained by the Fund, as necessary or appropriate.
          (d) Anything in this agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall J.P. Morgan or the Fund be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if J.P. Morgan or the Fund has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action in which any such loss or damage may be claimed. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
          (e) If the Fund acknowledges in writing that J.P. Morgan is entitled to indemnification, the Fund shall have the option to defend J.P. Morgan against any claim which may be the subject of this indemnification, and in the event that the Fund so elects, it will so notify J.P. Morgan, and thereupon the Fund shall take over complete defense of the claim. In the event the Fund elects to assume the control of the defense of the claim, J.P. Morgan may participate in such proceeding and retain additional counsel but shall bear all fees and expenses of such retention of such counsel, unless (i) the Fund shall have specifically authorized the retention of such counsel, or (ii) if the Fund and J.P. Morgan agree that the retention of such counsel is required as a result of a conflict of interest. In the event the Fund assumes control of any proceeding, the Fund shall keep J.P. Morgan notified of the progress of such proceeding and, upon request, consult with J.P. Morgan and counsel. The Fund will, upon request by J.P. Morgan, either pay in the first instance

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or reimburse J.P. Morgan for any expense subject to indemnity hereunder. The Fund shall not settle or compromise any proceeding without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan unless (i) such settlement or compromise involves no admission of guilt, wrongdoing, or misconduct by J.P. Morgan, (ii) such settlement or compromise does not impose any obligations or restrictions on J.P. Morgan other than obligations to pay money that are subject to indemnity under this Agreement and (iii) the Fund shall have paid or made arrangements satisfactory to J.P. Morgan for payment of amounts payable by J.P. Morgan in connection with such settlement. J.P. Morgan shall in no case confess any claim or make any compromise in any case which the Fund will be asked to indemnify J.P. Morgan except with the Fund’s prior written consent. J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.
     7.  Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first hereinabove written and may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual agreement between the parties hereto. The Agreement shall continue in effect unless terminated by either party on 90 days’ prior written notice. The Fund must give J.P. Morgan at least 60 days’ written notice of any change in the investment adviser, sponsor or distributor of the Fund. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall pay to J.P. Morgan such compensation and any out-of-pocket or other reimbursable expenses which may become due or payable under the terms hereof as of the date of termination or after the date that the provision of services ceases, whichever is later
     8.  Notices . Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effective on the date of personal delivery (by private messenger, courier service or otherwise) or upon confirmed receipt of telex or facsimile, whichever occurs first, or upon receipt if by mail to the parties at the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by notice to the other):
         
    If to the Fund:
 
       
 
      One New York Plaza
 
      New York, NY 10004
 
      P: 212-902-1000
 
      Attention: Peter Bonanno, Legal, Mutual Funds
 
       
 
      32 Old Slip
 
      New York, NY 1005

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      P: 212-902-1000
 
      Attention: Charles Rizzo, Fund Treasury
 
       
    If to J.P. Morgan:
 
       
 
      J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co.
 
      73 Tremont Street
 
      Boston, MA 02108
 
      Attention: Legal Department
 
      Fax: (617) 557-8616
     9.  Waiver . The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.
     10.  Force Majeure . J.P. Morgan shall not be responsible or liable for any harm, loss or damage suffered by the Fund, its investors, or other third parties or for any failure or delay in performance of J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond J.P. Morgan’s control, where J.P. Morgan has otherwise exercised reasonable care. In the event of a force majeure, any resulting harm, loss, damage, failure or delay by J.P. Morgan will not give the Fund the right to terminate this Agreement in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct by J.P. Morgan.
     11.  Amendments . This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement between the parties. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, discharged, or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, discharge or termination is sought.
     12.  Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the balance of the Agreement shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
     13.  Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. Any litigation arising out of or connected in any way with this Agreement shall take place in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in New York County, State of New York.

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     14.  PRIVACY . J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that, in performing the services provided for in this Agreement, it may obtain information pertaining to individual Fund investors that falls within the definition of “nonpublic personal information” as that term is defined in Section 6809(4) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (hereinafter “Protected Personal Information”). JP Morgan agrees that it is prohibited from using or disclosing the Protected Personal Information other than i) to perform its obligations under this Agreement and ii) as required by law. J.P. Morgan shall implement and maintain appropriate measures designed to (i) insure the security and confidentiality of the Protected Personal Information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information and; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of the Protected Personal Information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the individual investors to whom such information relates. At a minimum, such measures shall include those set forth on Schedule C. J.P. Morgan may disclose Protected Personal Information to a third party only if, and to the extent that, such disclosure is necessary to the performance of the services and only after such third party has agreed in writing to the use, security and confidentiality provisions set forth in this Section 14, including Schedule C. This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement.
     J.P. Morgan agrees on its behalf and on behalf of its employees to treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund, all records and other information relative to the Fund and its portfolios, and not to use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be withheld where J.P. Morgan may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund. J.P. Morgan agrees to comply with the Fund’s policies related to non-disclosure of portfolio holdings.
     15. RECORDS . J.P. Morgan shall with respect to each of the Fund’s investment portfolios create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement during and after the term thereof in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall

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at all times during the regular business hours of J.P. Morgan be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of Fund and employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     16.  STATUTORY TRUST . The name “Goldman Sachs Trust” is the designation of the Board of Trustees for the time being under the Declaration of Trust and all persons dealing with Fund must look solely to the property of Fund for the enforcement of any claims against Fund as neither the Trustees, officers, agents, nor shareholders of Fund assume any personal liability for obligations entered into on behalf of Fund. No portfolio of the Fund shall be liable for any claims against any other portfolio of the Fund.
     17.  ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS . In the event that the Fund establishes additional series and classes of shares with respect to which it desires to have J.P. Morgan render accounting services under the terms hereof, it shall so notify J.P. Morgan in writing, and if J.P. Morgan agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of shares shall become a portfolio hereunder and the terms of this Agreement shall apply to the portfolio and each class of shares of the portfolio.
     18.  USE OF NAME . J.P. Morgan agrees not to use the Fund’s name nor the name of Goldman, Sachs & Co., its affiliates, designees, or assignees (“GS”) in any material written in a manner not previously, specifically approved in writing by the Fund, Goldman, Sachs & Co., or its affiliates, designees, or assignees except where required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any federal or state agency responsible for regulation of J.P. Morgan.
     19.  REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS. J.P. Morgan shall provide the Fund, on behalf of each of the portfolios at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, which shall be at least annually, reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system and internal accounting controls relating to the services provided by J.P. Morgan under this Agreement. Such reports shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
     20.  COMPLIANCE . (a) J.P. Morgan represents that it has implemented policies and procedures to ensure adequate training and supervision of employees and vendor management. (b) J.P. Morgan shall provide the Fund with copies of its privacy policy and Worldwide Rules of Conduct. (c) J.P. Morgan agrees to provide at the Fund’s request a certification as to its knowledge

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concerning information, controls and procedures related to the Fund’s financial reports and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements.
     21.  INSURANCE . J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage for the specific benefit of the Fund. J.P. Morgan agrees to maintain commercially reasonable insurance coverage for errors, omissions or other acts by J.P. Morgan, its agents or their employees that result in losses to the Fund.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first written above.
             
    GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST    
 
           
 
  By: /s/ John Perlowski    
 
 
 
   
 
  Name:   John Perlowski    
 
  Title: Treasurer    
 
           
    J.P. MORGAN INVESTOR SERVICES CO.    
 
           
 
  By: /s/ Virginia Meany    
 
 
 
   
 
  Name:   Virginia Meany    
 
  Title: President    

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Schedule 1 — Listing of Portfolios
Speciality Funds
Goldman Sachs Tollkeeper Fund
Goldman Sachs Real Estate Securities Fund
Goldman Sachs International Real Estate Securities Fund
Goldman Sachs Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Dividend and Premium Fund
Fixed Income Funds
Goldman Sachs Municipal Income Fund
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax Free Fund
Goldman Sachs High Yield Municipal Fund
Goldman Sachs California Intermediate AMT-Free Municipal Fund
Goldman Sachs New York Intermediate AMT-Free Municipal Fund
International Equity
Goldman Sachs International Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Asia Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs International Small Cap Fund
Goldman Sachs Japanese Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs European Equity Fund
Goldman Sachs BRIC Fund

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MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICES AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
FEES AND EXPENSES
A. The Fees for Fund Accounting and Financial Reporting are set forth below.
Breakpoints and Fund Minimums are applied at the Fund level.
                             
Net Asset Tier Breakpoints:            
From
  $ 0     $ 550,000,000       0.00     basis points
From
  $ 550,000,000     $ 1,100,000,000       0.50     basis points
Over
  $ 1,100,000,000               0.40     basis points
             
Fund Minimums:
   
U.S. Equity Funds and U.S. Fixed Income Funds
  $ 20,000     per fund
U.S. Money Market Funds and U.S. REITs Funds
  $ 25,000     per fund
International and Emerging Markets
  $ 30,000     per fund
Fund of Funds and 529 Plans
  $ 10,000     per fund
B. An annual fee of $4,000 per Fund for Financial Reporting Services — Fund Admin.
C. There will be no charge for out of pocket expenses. There will be no charge for pricing Wash Sales, Fair Valuation or additional share classes. Pricing is a traditional charge that is normally passed through to the client, but will be waived for Goldman Sachs Funds
D. J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that it will reimburse Goldman Sachs Asset Management for any transition and/or conversion costs associated with the Fund’s conversion from its previous service provider, State Street Bank and Trust Company, for an amount up to $200,000.
E. J.P. Morgan and the Fund also agree to establish a system whereby the fees paid hereunder may be adjusted based upon the performance of the J.P. Morgan in carrying out its responsibilities under this Agreement.
F. Fees for new Funds will be waived for the first six months following the commencement of operations.

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MUTUAL FUNDS SERVICES AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE B
DESCRIPTION OF FUND ACCOUNTING SERVICES
J.P. Morgan agrees to perform the following duties in accordance with the requirements of the Fund’s Registration Statement and applicable laws and regulations with respect to each series and class of shares of the Fund:
(a)   keep and maintain the books and records of the Fund in accordance with Rule 3la-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule”) including the following:
  (i)   journals containing an itemized daily record in detail of all purchases and sales of securities, all receipts and disbursements of cash and all other debits and credits, as required by subsection (b)(1) of the Rule;
 
  (ii)   general and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset, liability, reserve, capital, income and expense accounts, including interest accrued and interest received, as required by subsection (b)(2)(i) of the Rule;
 
  (iii)   separate ledger accounts required by subsections (b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of the Rule; and
 
  (iv)   a monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts (except shareholder accounts) as required by subsection (b)(8) of the Rule.
(b)   perform the following accounting services daily, unless otherwise indicated below, for each Fund:
  (i)   calculate the net asset value per share in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  (ii)   calculate the dividend factor for daily dividend funds;
 
  (iii)   obtain security prices from independent pricing services, or if such quotes are unavailable, obtain such prices from the Fund’s investment manager or its designee, as approved by Fund’s Board;
 
  (iv)   provide exception, stale and halted price and fair value reporting to the investment manager;
 
  (v)   verify and reconcile daily trade activity with the investment manager (where trade recap/summary has been provided);
 
  (vi)   reconcile daily with the Fund’s custodian’s records all cash and position activity;
 
  (vii)   reconcile foreign exchange, futures, derivative notional investments and associated collateral with counterparty;
 
  (viii)   review daily the net asset value calculation and dividend factor (if any) for the Fund, distribute net asset values and yields to NASDAQ, Fund’s transfer agent, Fund’s investment manager and such other third parties as are agreed upon;
 
  (ix)   determine unrealized appreciation and depreciation on securities held in variable net asset value Funds;
 
  (x)   record all corporate actions affecting securities held by the Fund, including dividends, stock splits and recapitalizations;
 
  (xi)   amortize premiums and accrete discounts on securities purchased at a price other than face value, if requested by the Fund;
 
  (xii)   record and reconcile with the transfer agent all capital stock balances and activity, including dividend payables;
 
  (xiii)   reconcile all other general ledger accounts on a monthly basis to supporting ledgers or off-line backup;
 
  (xiv)   update accounting system to reflect rate changes on variable interest rate instruments;
 
  (xv)   post Fund transactions to appropriate categories; general ledger accounts in conformity with GAAP;

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  (xvi)   accrue expenses of each Fund according to instructions received from the investment manager;
 
  (xvii)   calculate book capital account balances;
 
  (xviii)   determine the outstanding receivables and payables for all (1) security trades, (2) Fund share transactions and (3) income and expense accounts;
 
  (xix)   provide accounting reports, support schedules and related analyses in connection with Fund’s scheduled audit and other audits and examinations by regulatory agencies;
 
  (xx)   allocate items of income and expense to appropriate share classes and follow other GSAM defined accounting and tax policies;
 
  (xxi)   provide monthly income determinations for 19a-1 reporting analysis;
 
  (xxii)   provide reporting to the Fund to support QDI reporting requirements; and
 
  (xxiii)   provide automated wash sale reporting twice per fiscal year.
(c)   (i)preparation of the Fund’s financial statements, including the preparation of drafts of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports.
 
    (ii)Prepare Form N-Q filings for review and sign off by the Fund officers and filing with the SEC.
 
(d)   J.P. Morgan shall, at Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each portfolio and held by J.P. Morgan and shall, when requested to do so by Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between Fund and J.P. Morgan, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.

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SCHEDULE C
SECURITY MANAGEMENT
This Schedule specifies requirements for: Information Security, Physical Security, Backup & Contingency Planning and Audit.
Definitions:
    “Systems and Networks” shall mean hardware, software (including the copies of J.P. Morgan’s proprietary technology and third party technology installed thereon) and telecommunication facilities employed by J.P. Morgan to receive, process, maintain, transmit and store the Data (as defined herein), whether or not such hardware, software and telecommunications facilities are also used to host other parties’ confidential or other information or software.
 
    “Attempted Attack” shall mean all of the following preliminary attacker efforts that occur for any incident: port scanning, IP address mapping and OS fingerprinting.
 
    “Core Application” shall mean an application implemented to support the services provided to the Funds or GS. This does NOT include desktop productivity applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, etc.
 
    “Data” shall mean information on J.P. Morgan applications that relates to the confidential information and services contemplated to be provided under this Agreement.
  Information Security Management
  n   J.P. Morgan shall have a security policy that explicitly addresses and provides guidance to employees and non-employee workers to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and systems maintained or processed by J.P. Morgan. The policies shall be approved by senior management and contain penalties or sanctions for noncompliance. J.P. Morgan’s security policy shall provide a framework for information security management within its overall organization.
    That policy must have an explicit section on the handling and management of personal information. Explicit procedures must exist that describe how personal information is to be managed, including disposal and destruction of data after its useful life.
  n   J.P. Morgan shall have dedicated resources (e.g. an Information Security manager or group) to foster and focus on information security efforts. The following details of the individuals shall be provided to GS: contact details, a name, phone number and email address.

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  n   J.P. Morgan shall have a written security plan that provides a framework for information security management within their organization. The plan should address the following key points:
    The delegation and assignment of responsibilities for security.
 
    Management oversight for the plan and its deployment.
 
    The means for managing security within the enterprise.
 
    Policies and procedures for data confidentiality and privacy.
 
    Methods of handling sensitive or confidential information received from or with respect to customers.
 
    Incident response in the event of a breach of security, or unauthorized disclosure of, customer Data
  Internal Audit / Security Reviews
  n   Periodic security audits or assessments, including testing of the system of controls, should be performed by an independent audit group within J.P. Morgan on a periodic basis. The audits should include testing of J.P. Morgan’s information security procedures as well.
 
  n   J.P. Morgan shall provide GS with details from its last security audit or review conducted by a qualified third-party. The details shall include the name of the reviewing company, the date of the review and a general statement on the overall security posture of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks, facilities and operations.
 
  n   J.P. Morgan shall have a process for correcting control deficiencies that have been identified in audits or assessments, including follow up documentation providing evidence of such corrections.
  Personnel Practices
       All employees, non-employee workers, consultants, temporary workers and other persons, such as third party J.P. Morgans and subcontractors, who may have access to J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks and facilities shall be made aware of, and be required to adhere to, the security policies of the J.P. Morgan and have training in security practices, including the handling of sensitive or confidential customer information.
 
       Employee Remote Electronic Access
  n   Persons electronically accessing the J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks remotely must be authenticated using 2-factor authentication.
 
  n   Employee Remote Access Solutions must technically prevent the export of Data to the person’s local computer situated outside the J.P. Morgan’s facilities.

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    Storage of Data on Mobile Devices
  n   J.P. Morgan must ensure the security of data on distributed devices by requiring the following:
  °   No data storage devices that may contain GS Data are permitted to leave J.P. Morgan’s facility without express written permission from J.P. Morgan.
 
  °   Laptops used by J.P. Morgan personnel to conduct GS business or provide services or products to GS must be the property of GS or J.P. Morgan. No personal laptops owned by J.P. Morgan’s personnel may be used for such activities.
 
  °   If any laptop or other mobile hardware contains GS Data, the GS Data shall be encrypted with a minimum 128-bit encryption key length.
 
  °   All GS Data transferred to or from the mobile device must be inventoried and logged, and J.P. Morgan shall retain the inventory files and logs for ninety (90) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement
 
  °   Suspected loss or theft of any device which may contain GS Data must be reported immediately by J.P. Morgan personnel to J.P. Morgan, and reported immediately by J.P. Morgan to GS.
n   Outsourcing/Subcontracting/Reliance by J.P. Morgan on Third Parties:
  n   If J.P. Morgan outsources or subcontracts the provisions of services or products provided to GS to third parties, or otherwise relies on third parties to fulfill J.P. Morgan’s information technology or Security functions, then the J.P. Morgan shall require the following:
       Formal written agreements that require the security controls employed by the third parties to be consistent with J.P. Morgan’s security practices and this Exhibit. In addition, J.P. Morgan must enter into written confidentiality agreements with such third parties.
 
       J.P. Morgan shall review, or have an independent audit or risk management group within J.P. Morgan assess, the third party’s security posture.
 
       J.P. Morgan shall provide prior notice to GS in connection with all such outsourcing, subcontracts or other reliance after the date of this Agreement.
n   Back-up and Business Continuity Plans
  n   J.P. Morgan shall have a data backup and offsite storage process, including backup/storage schedules and control requirements that address the following:

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    J.P. Morgan shall have business continuity plans in place which define contingency plans and provide for the testing of such contingency plans. J.P. Morgan shall indicate the frequency of such testing and ensure that those plans ensure the J.P. Morgan’s Service Level commitments to GS can be met.
 
    Data backups stored both on and off J.P. Morgan’s site shall be maintained in a secure climate-controlled environment with sufficient controls to ensure the backup media are actually being received by the storage facility and that transportation boxes containing such media have not been tampered with, diverted or lost during transport. GS Data maintained off of J.P. Morgan’s premises for backup and contingency purposes shall be stored, using industry standard technologies prior to being moved offsite. J.P. Morgan is responsible for ensuring all secured Data can be recovered as necessary for business continuity purposes or upon request by GS.
 
    GS’s Data shall be irreversibly removed, to the extent possible per current technology, all storage mechanisms and electronic media when such Data is no longer needed for the provision of services or products to GS, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan and in compliance with J.P. Morgan’s IT Policies and Standards.
n   Security and Processing Controls
 
n   J.P. Morgan shall have standards and procedures in-place to address system configuration, operation and management controls for the Systems and Networks, including the following:
    J.P. Morgan shall employ industry-standard security technologies to protect GS Data, including but not limited to physical access controls and logical access controls.
 
    Security controls appropriate for the Systems and Networks and their application environment as recommended by manufacturers and best practices published by industry organizations.
 
    Identification and patching of security vulnerabilities.
 
    Change control process and procedures.
 
    Problem management.
 
    Incident detection, response and management.
 
    Data access entitlement and a review process for existing entitlements and changes to them

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n   If J.P. Morgan connects to the Internet or other external facilities it shall have the following in place:
    Technology controls including firewalls, security monitoring and alerting systems (i.e. Intrusion Detection Systems).
 
    When communicating with GS, J.P. Morgan must implement GS’s preferred security protocols, including secure email, to the extent practicable.
 
    When communicating outside J.P. Morgan’s firm via email, WebMail, Chat or other channels, J.P. Morgan shall implement data content and data quantity controls to detect the leakage of GS Data outside J.P. Morgan’s firm via those channels. Processes must be in place to monitor those controls and follow-up suspected incidents relating to the security of such channels.
 
    Automated transfers of GS Data from GS to J.P. Morgan shall be secured using appropriate network and/or data controls. Upon receipt of an automated transfer, the GS Data shall be immediately and automatically imported exclusively into a Core Application. Logs of such receipt and importation must be kept and retained for ninety (90) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement. All remnants of the original GS Data data file (i.e., not the copy imported into the Core Application) shall be purged from all locations within twenty-four (24) hours of the GS Data’s importation into the Core Application.
 
    Access to GS Data held on Core Applications is restricted and end users are permitted by policy to bulk export data out of the application only for authorized business purposes. “Bulk export” includes, without limitation, the creation of reports, spreadsheets and other end user documents or files that include more than one record.
 
    GS Data used for analysis purposes as part of, or in connection with, the migration of GS Data to a Core Application is purged from all locations in accordance with J.P. Morgan IT Policies and Standards. The purge shall include GS Data maintained in email, fileshares, FTP servers, etc.
  Information Storage and Processing
    J.P. Morgan shall store and process production GS Data in a controlled (i.e., production, DR or user acceptance testing) environment only. J.P. Morgan shall ensure that non-controlled environments used for development, testing, or any non-controlled activity shall only use test data, and in such cases the test data shall not contain any GS Data.

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  Notification & Reporting Obligations
    J.P. Morgan shall notify GS of the following events without undue delay, as soon as practicable after the event, except where immediate notice is required below:
  °   Upon request annually, change, including by resignation, in information security staff responsible for GS Data or J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  °   Suspected breaches/compromises (beyond an Attempted Attack) of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks, and claims or threats of such events made by any J.P. Morgan Personnel or external person (immediate notice required);
 
  °   Termination of any Personnel for cause, where related to such Personnel’s potential or actual misuse or compromise of GS Data or J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  °   If permitted by applicable Law, any law enforcement or governmental investigation or inquiry into suspected misuse or abuse of J.P. Morgan’s Systems and Networks;
 
  °   If any of the GS Data is or was left unprotected, or is or was insufficiently protected for its level of sensitivity and risk, irrespective of whether a security breach has occurred (immediate notice required);
 
  °   The loss of any physical device that may have contained GS Data (immediate notice required).
 
  °   J.P. Morgan will provide reporting, as requested by GS, to GS regarding access to GS Data maintained in the Systems and Networks.
    Notice to Affected Persons of Compromise of Personal Information.
  °   J.P. Morgan shall cooperate with GS in satisfying any legal requirement that requires Customer or J.P. Morgan to provide notice to a person (“Affected Person”) that a suspected breach/compromise of such person’s information is believed to have occurred. J.P. Morgan shall contact GS’s Information Security Department with details of the suspected breach/compromise immediately following its discovery by J.P. Morgan. If notice to Affected Persons is required by law, or if such notice is contemplated by J.P. Morgan, prior to giving such notice J.P. Morgan shall consult with GS as to notice method, content as described below. The timing of any notice to an Affected Person shall be delayed in order to implement any GS and J.P. Morgan measures necessary to determine the scope of the breach/compromise or to remedy or limit the breach/compromise, or if any law enforcement or other government agency advises GS or J.P. Morgan that the issuance of the notice will impede a criminal or other investigation.

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    Method of Notice. Unless otherwise approved by GS, J.P. Morgan shall not provide notice to an Affected Person by unsecure means. “Unsecure means” shall include, without limitation, unencrypted email, and publication on a public website that does not provide a secure sockets layer session for the Affected Person’s password-protected access. In addition, unless otherwise approved by GS, J.P. Morgan shall not provide notice via press release, print media or broadcast media.
 
    Content of Notice. The content of J.P. Morgan’s notices to the Affected Person shall be subject to GS’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
 
    Cost of Notice. Customer shall not require any notice method or notice content that requires J.P. Morgan to incur any additional cost beyond the cost imposed upon J.P. Morgan by law.
 
    Survival. J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this provision shall survive the termination and expiration of the Agreement.
  Examination of Records.
  °   During the Term and for thirty (30) days after termination or expiration of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall implement and maintain backup processes sufficient to keep detailed, accurate and up-to-date accounts and records, including computer logs, of all information security activities carried out, and all costs and expenses for which GS must reimburse J.P. Morgan, incurred in the performance of its information security obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall retain such audit records for the time period required by J.P. Morgan IT Policies and Standards. Upon GS’s request, and subject to the restrictions on Confidential Information set forth in this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall allow GS or its authorized representatives to examine and copy such accounts and records as GS determines may be relevant to information security issues and related expenses arising under this Agreement. Such examination and copying shall occur at reasonable intervals and upon reasonable notice during the Term and for thirty (30) days thereafter. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall also provide GS with a then-current “snapshot” recordation on appropriate media of the accounts and records required to be made available for examination under this provision.
  Information Security-Related Termination Rights
  °   GS shall have the right to terminate immediately the GS-J.P. Morgan Agreement on the occurrence of J.P. Morgan’s failure to comply with this Exhibit, without penalty or charge to GS.

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Audit and Inspection by GS
  Audit Right . J.P. Morgan shall keep detailed accounts and records of all activities carried out, and all costs and expenses incurred, in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Upon reasonable notice to J.P. Morgan and during normal business hours, GS or the Funds or their designee has the to audit and verify the Fund’s Books and Records, J.P. Morgan’s operating environment and other areas of service (including those of any subcontractors) to ensure, among other things, that J.P. Morgan is maintaining adequate controls and security measures, that J.P. Morgan’s billings to GS are correct, that reports relating to J.P. Morgan’s performance are accurate and that J.P. Morgan is otherwise complying with this Agreement. GS may conduct audit and verification reviews itself or with the assistance of a third party organization (provided that the third party organization executes a confidentiality agreement that contains protections for confidential information comparable to this Agreement), at GS’s expense. All audits shall be performed in a manner intended to minimize disruption to the parties’ respective businesses. All such audits and verifications may be conducted during the term of this Agreement and for a period of five (5) years] after the termination of this Agreement.
 
  Access . Without limiting the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall provide access, without limitation, to GS, its auditors (including internal audit staff), inspectors, regulators, consultants, and other representatives, to: (i) facilities where the services are being performed; (ii) personnel and subcontractors providing any of the services; and (iii) data and records in the possession of J.P. Morgan relating to any of the services. The applicable GS and GS’s designees shall adhere to J.P. Morgan’s customary security and safety policies. · Cooperation. J.P. Morgan shall assist the applicable GS’s auditors (including internal audit staff), inspectors, regulators, consultants and other representatives as is reasonably required. J.P. Morgan shall cooperate fully with GS or its designees in connection with audit functions and with regard to examinations by regulatory authorities and shall, on a timely basis, furnish each with information requested.
 
  Categories of Audits . Audits and inspections shall be limited to information relating to the services, and may include: (i) J.P. Morgan’s practices and procedures; (ii) J.P. Morgan’s computer systems; (iii) J.P. Morgan’s controls and security measures and procedures; (iv) J.P. Morgan’s disaster recovery and back-up procedures; (v) any matter necessary to enable GS to meet requirements of law; (vi) J.P. Morgan’s compliance with Applicable Levels of Service; (vii) Books and Records; and (viii) J.P. Morgan’s procedures to maintain the confidentiality of GS’s Confidential Information.
 
  No interference . In no event shall GS while conducting audits and investigations materially interfere with J.P. Morgan’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or conduct its other operations in the ordinary course of business.
 
  Audit Expenses . GS shall bear its expenses relating to any audit performed under this provision; provided, however, if any such inspection reveals any invoice or payment has not been rendered or made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and results in an overcharge to GS which results in a refund or credit of the overcharge, J.P. Morgan

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    shall reimburse GS for its reasonable internal costs and external expenses in connection with any audit without prejudice to any other remedies or claims of GS.
 
  Exit Conference . Following an audit or examination by GS, GS may (in its sole discretion) conduct (in the case of an internal audit), or request its external auditors or examiners to conduct, an exit conference with J.P. Morgan to obtain J.P. Morgan’s factual concurrence with issues identified in the review.

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Physical Security Procedures
Guidelines for minimum physical security measures to be implemented at service locations maintained by J.P. Morgan for services under this Agreement (“J.P. Morgan Service Locations”).
Scope
J.P. Morgan will maintain a Corporate Security Department that will manage the security and life safety functions of the firm. The Corporate Security Department is expected to review the security posture of every J.P. Morgan Service Location and prepare a security plan based upon J.P. Morgan’s corporate standards and the policies detailed in this document.
Administration/Reporting
Security Responsibility
Every J.P. Morgan Service Location, regardless of size, must have one person responsible for security matters. An appropriate employee shall be given this assignment to maintain reliability and assurance.
Duties, Location Security Representative: (All Locations)
Prepare a security plan (“ Security Plan ”) that conforms to the guidelines set forth in this document and in those policies set forth by the Corporate Security Department.
Ensure that fire evacuation plans and any other crisis plans applicable to that J.P. Morgan Service Location, are viable and tested as required.
Maintain a file containing any material security related problems that occur in the J.P. Morgan Service Location; security and safety related issues in the building; and incidents that occur in the city/country that relate to security/safety, of J.P. Morgan, its personnel, and its clients.
Report significant incidents to J.P. Morgan corporate security in a timely manner. Track and report on an ongoing basis those local incidents that denote a significant threat or that may adversely affect J.P. Morgan and/or the J.P. Morgan Service Location.
Maintain the emergency contact lists for both local contacts and for internal J.P. Morgan notification.
Reports (All Locations)
  1.   Security/safety reports shared by J.P. Morgan with and as requested by GS may be redacted to exclude confidential customer information. However, all issues that relate to the general security/safety environment in the J.P. Morgan Service Location could potentially affect GS interest and should be disclosed by the J.P. Morgan.

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Corporate Security
  1.   J.P. Morgan Corporate Security shall maintain a central repository of copies of J.P. Morgan Service Location security plans.
 
  2.   J.P. Morgan Corporate Security may assist any J.P. Morgan Service Location in developing its security plan.
Physical Security
Access Control
The goal of a facility access control system and its procedure is to limit access to those who have a legitimate reason for entering and to restrict the movement of visitors and J.P. Morgan to those parts of the facility where they have a legitimate purpose. In some cases this restriction will apply to employees, as in the case of limiting access to a computer/equipment room, cage area or segregated department.
It is highly recommended that J.P. Morgan Service Locations utilize access control systems. All J.P. Morgan Service Locations that do not utilize and maintain functioning electronic access card systems must be pre-approved by GS.
1.   Electronic Access Cards:
    Can be used as an ID Card when required or desired.
 
    Creates a record of persons entering access doors at all times.
 
    Avoids the time and cost of replacing keys, locks, etc.
2.   Receptionist:
  a.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations should have a receptionist or security officer during working hours.
 
  b.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have some means of controlling access after regular business hours when the receptionist or security officer is not present.
    CCTV on access points.
 
    Door locked and manually opened after hours upon presentation of ID by visitor to security officer or other employee.
 
    Security Officer posted at entry points.
Alarms
INTRUSION ALARMS: All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have an intrusion alarm system that, at a minimum, protects all perimeter openings and major data center portals.

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CCTV
The extent of CCTV required will be site-specific and determined on a case by case basis. However, at a minimum :
  1.   J.P. Morgan Service Location entry points and major data center portals shall be covered by CCTV.
 
  2.   All cameras must be recorded with recorders located in a secure area and stored for a reasonable period.
Visitors
Reception Areas
  1.   No client or visitor should be allowed past the reception area unless they have been positively identified and the person to be visited has verified the appointment.
 
  2.   Doors from reception areas to J.P. Morgan Service Location space should be kept locked and controlled by the receptionist or opened by the person escorting.
Security Officers
  1.   Security Officers are a J.P. Morgan Service Location option.
 
  2.   J.P. Morgan shall employ procedures for hiring Security Officers.
Emergency Procedures
Fire/Evacuation Plan
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a Fire/Evacuation Plan and must review it for personnel and other changes as required, minimally once a year.
 
  2.   Every J.P. Morgan Service Location must be familiar with the building’s fire plan. J.P. Morgan’s plan must then take this into consideration. J.P. Morgan must conduct tests to ensure that employees recognize the fire alarm warning system.
 
  3.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a fire alarm and suppression system that complies with local fire codes.
Bomb Threat Procedure
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have a bomb threat response plan that provides for a rational response to a bomb threat. The most critical phase in the process is the assessment of the threat and the decision to evacuate.
 
  2.   The evacuation procedures for the bomb threat plan should mimic the fire evacuation procedures.

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Emergency Contact Lists
  1.   All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must maintain up to date Emergency Contact Lists. At a minimum these lists should be updated periodically as needed and should contain the following information:
    A list containing the local J.P. Morgan Service Location personnel who would be involved in security problems or other emergencies
 
    All government agencies that could lend support during an emergency
 
    Utilities
 
    Repair personnel, etc.
 
    A list containing all pertinent contact personnel at headquarters and at other regional J.P. Morgan Service Locations
Shredding Policy
    All J.P. Morgan Service Locations must have an appropriate shredding policy and plan in place.

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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 December 15, 2006, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the October 31, 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders of the AXA Enterprise Funds Trust, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us on the cover page of the Statement of Additional Information and under the headings “Financial Highlights” and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
January 19, 2007