AS
FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 26, 2009
REGISTRATION NOS. 33-21677;
811-5547
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
o
Post-Effective Amendment No. 69
þ
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 72
þ
LAUDUS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)
800.648.5300
(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code)
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Name and Address of Agent for Service:
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Copies to:
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KOJI E. FELTON
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TIMOTHY W. LEVIN, ESQ.
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Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
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Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
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211 Main Street
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1701 Market Street
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San Francisco, CA 94105
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Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Continuous.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o
Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
þ
On October 27, 2009 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
o
On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
o
On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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Prospectus
October 27, 2009
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COMMAND
PERFORMANCE
TM
Laudus
Growth Investors U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund
Adviser
Charles
Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
Subadviser
UBS
Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc.
The Securities and
Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of the
shares described in this prospectus or determined whether this
prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a crime.
Please see the
inside back cover of this prospectus for important privacy
policy information.
Shareholder
Services
1.800.447.3332
Retail Investors
1.866.452.8387
Registered Investment Professionals
www.laudus.com
Table
of contents
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About the fund
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2
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5
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7
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8
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9
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Investing in the fund
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10
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10
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13
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13
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14
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15
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15
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16
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17
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Investment
objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks
The following is a description of the investment objective and
principal investment strategies of the Laudus Growth Investors
U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund). The Fund
is a series of Laudus Trust (the Trust), an open-end
management investment company offering multiple series with
different investment objectives and strategies. Except as
explicitly described otherwise, the investment objective,
strategies and policies of the Fund may be changed without
shareholder approval. The Fund is advised by Charles Schwab
Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM or the
Adviser). UBS Global Asset Management (Americas)
Inc. (UBS Global AM or the Subadviser)
acts as subadviser to the Fund.
This section also contains the principal risks of the Fund.
Please be sure to read this additional information BEFORE you
invest.
2
Laudus Growth
Investors U.S. Large Cap
Growth Fund
Investment
objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Principal
investment strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its
net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any) in
equity securities of U.S. large capitalization companies.
The Fund defines large capitalization companies as those with a
market capitalization of at least $3 billion at the time of
investment. In addition, up to 20% of the Funds net assets
may be invested in foreign equity securities. Investments in
equity securities include common stock and preferred stock. The
Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments
(Derivatives) for risk management purposes or as
part of the Funds investment strategies. Generally,
Derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or
is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference
rate, or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates,
currencies or currency exchange rates, and related indexes. The
principal types of Derivatives used by the Fund include options,
futures and forward currency agreements. The Fund may use
Derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to manage or
adjust the risk profile of the Fund, to replace more traditional
direct investments, or to obtain exposure to certain markets.
The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to
any change in its policy of investing at least 80% of its net
assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any) in
equity securities of U.S. large capitalization companies.
The Fund will invest in companies within its capitalization
range as described above. However, the Fund may invest a portion
of its assets in securities outside of this range. Further, if
movement in the market price causes a security to change from
one capitalization range to another, the Fund is not required to
dispose of the security.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of the
securities in its portfolio (e.g., greater than 100% turnover),
which would increase transaction costs incurred by the Fund. In
addition, when the Fund engages in active and frequent trading,
a larger portion of the distributions investors receive from the
Fund may reflect short-term capital gains which are taxed like
ordinary income, rather than long-term capital gain
distributions.
For temporary defensive purposes during unusual economic or
market conditions or for liquidity purposes, the Fund may invest
up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments,
repurchase agreements and other short-term obligations. When the
Fund engages in such activities, it may not achieve its
investment objective.
Securities
selection process
In selecting securities, the Subadviser seeks to invest in
companies that possess dominant market positions or franchises,
a major technological edge, or a unique competitive advantage.
To this end, the Subadviser considers earnings revision trends,
expected earnings growth rates, sales acceleration, price
earnings multiples and positive stock price momentum, when
selecting securities. The Subadviser expects that these
companies can sustain an above average return on invested
capital at a higher level and over a longer period of time than
is reflected in the current market prices.
Definition
of U.S. investment
In deciding whether an investment is tied to the U.S., the
Subadviser considers a number of factors including whether the
investment is issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or any of its agencies; the investment has its primary trading
market in the U.S.; the issuer is organized under the laws of,
derives at least 50% of its revenues from, or has at least 50%
of its assets in, the U.S.; the investment is included in an
index representative of the U.S.; and the investment is exposed
to the economic fortunes and risks of the U.S.
Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large
Cap Growth Fund
3
Principal
risks
Market Risk.
Stock markets rise and fall daily. As with
any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the
value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate, which means
that you could lose money.
Management Risk.
As with all actively managed funds, the
strategies of the Funds subadviser may not achieve their
desired results. Poor stock selection or a focus on securities
in a particular sector may cause the Fund to underperform its
benchmark or other funds with a similar investment objective.
Equity Risk.
The prices of equity securities rise and
fall daily. These price movements may result from factors
affecting individual companies, industries or the securities
market as a whole. Individual companies may report poor results
or be negatively affected by industry
and/or
economic trends and developments. The prices of securities
issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In
addition, the equity market tends to move in cycles which may
cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of
time. Due to their fixed income features, preferred stocks
provide higher income potential than issuers common
stocks, but typically are more sensitive to interest rate
changes than the underlying common stock. The rights of common
stockholders are generally subordinate to the rights associated
with an issuers preferred stocks and the rights of
preferred stockholders are generally subordinate to the rights
associated with an issuers debt securities on the
distribution of an issuers assets in the event of a
liquidation.
Large-Cap Risk.
Many of the risks of the Fund are
associated with its investment in the large-cap segments of the
U.S. stock market. Large-cap stocks tend to go in and out
of favor based on market and economic conditions. During a
period when large-cap U.S. stocks fall behind other types
of investments mid-or small-cap stocks, for
instance the Funds performance also may lag
these investments.
Growth Investing Risk.
Growth stocks can be
volatile for several reasons. Since growth companies usually
invest a high portion of earnings in their businesses, they may
lack the dividends of value stocks that can cushion stock prices
in a falling market. The prices of growth stocks are based
largely on projections of the issuers future earnings and
revenues. If a companys earnings or revenues fall short of
expectations, its stock price may fall dramatically. Growth
stocks may also be more expensive relative to their earnings or
assets compared to value or other stocks.
Foreign Investing Risk.
The Funds investments in
securities of foreign issuers involve certain risks that are
greater than those associated with investments in securities of
U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in
foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions, or
changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control
regulations (including limitations on currency movements and
exchanges). In certain countries, legal remedies available to
investors may be more limited than those available with respect
to investments in the United States. The securities of some
foreign companies may be less liquid and, at times, more
volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. The
Fund may also experience more rapid or extreme changes in value
as compared to a fund that invests solely in securities of
U.S. companies because the securities markets of many
foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of
companies representing a small number of industries. There also
is the risk that the cost of buying, selling, and holding
foreign securities, including brokerage, tax, and custody costs,
may be higher than those involved in domestic transactions.
Currency Risk.
As a result of the Funds investments
in securities denominated in,
and/or
receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be
subject to currency risk. This is the risk that those currencies
will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in
the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will
decline in value relative to the currency hedged. In either
event, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be
adversely affected. Currencies in
non-U.S. countries
may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a
number of reasons, including changes in interest rates,
intervention by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks
or supranational agencies, such as the International Monetary
Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other
political developments in the United States or abroad.
Derivatives Risk.
The Fund may, but is not required to,
use Derivatives to earn income and enhance returns, to manage or
adjust the risk profile of the Fund, to replace more traditional
direct investments, or to obtain exposure to certain markets. A
future is an agreement to buy or sell a financial instrument at
a specific price on a specific day. An option is the right to
buy or sell an instrument at a specific price before a specific
date. A forward currency agreement 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.
The Funds use of Derivatives involves risks different from
or possibly greater than the risks associated with investing
directly in securities and other traditional investments.
Certain of these risks, such as leverage risk, market risk and
management risk, are discussed elsewhere in this section. The
Funds use of Derivatives is also subject to credit risk,
liquidity risk, lack of availability risk, valuation risk,
correlation risk and tax risk. Credit risk is the risk that the
counterparty to a Derivative may not fulfill its contractual
obligations. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund may not be
able to purchase or liquidate a particular Derivative at an
advantageous time or price. Lack of availability risk is the
risk that suitable Derivatives may not be available in all
4
Laudus Growth Investors U.S.
Large Cap Growth Fund
circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Valuation
risk is the risk that a particular Derivative may be valued
incorrectly. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the
value of the Derivative may not correlate perfectly with the
underlying asset, rate or index. Tax risk is the risk that the
use of Derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts
of short-term capital gain. These risks could cause the Fund to
lose more than the principal amount invested.
Leverage Risk.
The Funds transactions in
Derivatives may give rise to a form of leverage and may expose
the Fund to greater risk. Leverage tends to magnify the effect
of any decrease or increase in the value of the Funds
portfolio securities. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to
liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous
to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.
Liquidity Risk.
A particular investment may be difficult
or expensive to purchase or sell. The Fund may be unable to sell
illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price.
Securities Lending Risk.
The Fund may lend its portfolio
securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions
provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that
the loan is fully collateralized. When the Fund lends portfolio
securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect
changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the Fund will
also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities
lending involves the risk of loss of rights in the collateral or
delay in recovery of the collateral if the borrower fails to
return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The Fund will
also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities
acquired with cash collateral. The Fund may pay lending fees to
a party arranging the loan.
Performance
information
The Funds past performance (whether before or after taxes)
is not necessarily indicative of its future performance.
Except as specifically noted below, the performance data
provided below is that of the Funds predecessor fund, the
UBS U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund, a series of The UBS Funds
(the UBS Fund). The UBS Fund was sponsored and
managed by UBS Global AM. On July 13, 2009, the Fund
commenced operations as a member of Laudus Trust by acquiring
all assets and liabilities of the UBS Fund in a tax-free
reorganization. The Fund has investment objectives, strategies,
and policies substantially similar to those of the UBS Fund,
which was advised by UBS Global AM. UBS Global AM serves as
Subadviser to the Fund.
Yearly
Performance (%) Class Y Shares
This chart provides some indication of the risks of investing in
the Fund by showing changes in the UBS Fund Class Y
Shares performance from year to year for the past ten
calendar years.
During all periods shown in the bar chart, the UBS
Fund Class Y Shares highest quarterly return was
22.01%, for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, and its
lowest quarterly return was -22.54%, for the quarter ended
December 31, 2008.
For the period January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009,
the aggregate (non-annualized) total pre-tax return of the Fund
was 33.61% (performance for the period January 1, 2009 through
July 12, 2009 is that of the UBS Fund Class Y Shares).
Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large
Cap Growth Fund
5
Performance
table
This table shows how the UBS Fund Class Y Shares
performance compares with the returns of a broad-based
securities market index.
Average
Annual Total
Returns
(%) (for periods ending December 31, 2008)
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One
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Five
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Ten
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Since
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Year
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Years
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Years
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Inception*
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UBS FUND CLASS Y SHARES
Return Before Taxes
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37.74
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0.11
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2.30
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0.14
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Return After Taxes** on Distributions
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37.74
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0.14
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2.90
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0.79
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Return After Taxes** on Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
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24.53
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0.08
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2.06
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0.27
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Russell 1000 Growth Index***
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38.44
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3.42
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4.27
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1.06
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*
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Since inception
returns are from October 14, 1997 the inception
date of the UBS Fund Class Y Shares
through December 31, 2008.
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After-tax returns
are estimates based on the highest historical individual federal
marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of
state and local taxes; an investors actual after-tax
returns will depend on his or her tax situation and are likely
to differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant
to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred
arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
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***
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Reflects no
deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. The Russell 1000 Growth
Index measures the performance of those Russell
1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher
forecasted growth values.
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6
Laudus Growth Investors U.S.
Large Cap Growth Fund
Fees
and expenses
The following table describes what you could expect to pay as a
Fund investor. Shareholder Fees are charged to you
directly by the Fund. Annual Operating Expenses are
paid out of Fund assets, so their effect is included in the
total return for the Fund.
Fee table
(%)
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Shareholder
Fees
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(paid directly from
your investment):
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
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N/A
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Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
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N/A
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends
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N/A
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Redemption fee (charged only to shares redeemed or
exchanged within 30 days of
purchase)
a
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2.00
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Exchange fee
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N/A
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Annual Operating Expenses
(deducted from fund
assets)
b
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Management fees
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0.70
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Distribution and shareholder service (12b-1) fees
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None
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Other expenses
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0.26
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Total annual operating expenses
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0.96
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Less expense
reduction
c
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(0.18)
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Net operating expenses
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0.78
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a
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The Trust reserves
the right, in its sole discretion, to waive this fee when, in
its judgment, such waiver would be in the best interests of the
Trust or the Fund. See Redeeming shares. The Fund
charges no other redemption fees.
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b
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The information in
the table has been restated to reflect fees and estimated
expenses for the Funds first full fiscal year, rather than
to reflect prior expenses applicable to the UBS Fund.
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c
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Pursuant to the
Advisers contractual undertaking (the Expense
Limitation Agreement) to waive its management fee and bear
certain expenses for the Fund when the operating expenses reach
0.78% (exclusive of nonrecurring account fees, fees on
securities transactions such as exchange fees, dividends and
interest on securities sold short, service fees, interest,
taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are
capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the
ordinary course of the Funds business). The Expense
Limitation Agreement will be in place until at least
July 30, 2011. The Adviser may, but is not required to,
extend the Expense Limitation Agreement for additional years.
Any amounts waived or reimbursed in a particular fiscal year
will be subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Adviser
during the next two fiscal years to the extent that the
repayment will not cause the Funds net operating expenses
to exceed the then current limit (as stated in the Expense
Limitation Agreement) during the respective year.
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Example
The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of
investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds.
It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time
periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year, that the Funds operating expenses stay
the same and that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested. The one-year figure is based on net operating
expenses. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.
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Expenses on a
$10,000 investment
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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$
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80
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$
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269
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$
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495
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$
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1,144
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Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large
Cap Growth Fund
7
Financial
highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you
understand the Funds financial performance for the past
five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a
single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the
rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an
investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions). On July 13, 2009, the Fund commenced
operations as a member of Laudus Trust by acquiring all assets
and liabilities of the UBS Fund in a tax-free reorganization.
The information in the table has been derived from the UBS
Fund Class Y Shares financial statements, which
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, and whose report
along with the UBS Funds financial statements
is included in the UBS Funds most recent annual report to
shareholders, which is available upon request.
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Year
Ended June 30
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Net asset value, beginning of period
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$
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11.45
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$
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10.94
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$
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9.02
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$
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8.38
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$
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7.85
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Income (loss) from investment operations:
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Net investment income
(loss)
1
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0.03
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0.01
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0.04
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0.01
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0.02
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Net realized and unrealized gain from investment activities
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(2.80
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)
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0.59
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1.90
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0.64
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0.51
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Total income (loss) from investment operations
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(2.77
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)
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0.60
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1.94
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0.65
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0.53
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Less dividends/distributions:
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From net investment income
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(0.01
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(0.02
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(0.01
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From net realized gains
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(0.08
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Total dividends/distributions
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(0.09
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)
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(0.02
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(0.01
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Net asset value, end of period
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$
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8.68
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$
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11.45
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$
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10.94
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$
|
9.02
|
|
|
$
|
8.38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment
return
2
|
|
|
(24.19
|
)%
|
|
|
5.52
|
%
|
|
|
21.51
|
%
|
|
|
7.72
|
%
|
|
|
6.75
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/supplemental
data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
|
|
$
|
54,344
|
|
|
$
|
76,175
|
|
|
$
|
62,529
|
|
|
$
|
4,797
|
|
|
$
|
3,078
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before expense reimbursement
|
|
|
1.23
|
%
|
|
|
1.21
|
%
|
|
|
1.25
|
%
|
|
|
2.10
|
%
|
|
|
3.01
|
%
|
|
|
After expense reimbursement
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets
|
|
|
0.41
|
%
|
|
|
0.05
|
%
|
|
|
0.35
|
%
|
|
|
0.09
|
%
|
|
|
0.29
|
%
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover
|
|
|
132
|
%
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
112
|
%
|
|
|
137
|
%
|
|
|
145
|
%
|
|
|
1
Calculated
using the average shares method.
2
Total
investment return is calculated assuming a $10,000 investment on
the first day of each period reported, reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value on the
ex-dividend dates, and a sale at net asset value on the last day
of each period reported. The figures do not include any
applicable sales charges; results would be lower if they were
included. Total investment return for periods less than one year
has not been annualized. Returns do not reflect the deduction of
taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends/distributions or
the redemption of Fund shares.
8
Laudus Growth Investors U.S.
Large Cap Growth Fund
Management
of the fund
The Trusts Board of Trustees oversees the general conduct
of the Trust and the Fund.
CSIM serves as the Funds investment adviser and UBS Global
AM serves as subadviser to the Fund.
In its capacity as subadviser, UBS Global AM provides day-to-day
portfolio management services to the Fund, while, as adviser,
CSIM supervises UBS Global AM and assumes other functions,
including managing the Funds other affairs and business,
subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees.
The Fund pays CSIM an advisory fee for these services on a
monthly basis. The fee paid is based on a percentage of the
Funds average daily net assets. CSIM and not
the Fund pays a portion of the advisory fees it
receives to UBS Global AM in return for its services.
The following table shows the advisory fees, as a percentage of
the Funds average daily net assets, payable to CSIM by the
Fund:
|
|
|
|
|
First $500 million
|
|
|
0.70%
|
|
$500 million to $1 billion
|
|
|
0.65%
|
|
$1 to $1.5 billion
|
|
|
0.60%
|
|
$1.5 to $2 billion
|
|
|
0.575%
|
|
Above $2 billion
|
|
|
0.55%
|
|
As described in the Annual Operating Expenses table
in the section entitled Fees and expenses, CSIM has
entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement to waive its
management fees and bear certain expenses until July 30,
2011, to limit the total annual operating expenses of the Fund.
Under that agreement, any amounts waived or reimbursed in a
particular fiscal year will be subject to reimbursement by the
Fund to CSIM during the next two fiscal years to the extent that
repayment will not cause the Funds expenses to exceed the
then current limit (as stated in the Expense Limitation
Agreement) during the respective year.
Investment
adviser and subadviser
CSIMs address is 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA
94105. Founded in 1989, CSIM today serves as investment adviser
for all of the Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds. As of
June 30, 2009, CSIM managed 81 mutual funds and
approximately $219 billion in assets.
UBS Global AMs address is One North Wacker Drive, Chicago,
IL 60606. UBS Global AM is an investment management firm
managing approximately $142 billion, as of June 30,
2009, primarily for institutional pension and profit sharing
funds. UBS Global AM is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
UBS AG and a member of the UBS Global Asset Management Division,
which had approximately $547 billion in assets under
management as of June 30, 2009.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval
of the Funds investment advisory and sub-advisory
agreements is available in the Funds semiannual report
dated September 30, 2009, which covers the period
July 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009.
Portfolio
management
Lawrence G. Kemp and Phil Ruvinsky are co-portfolio managers for
the Fund. Mr. Kemp, as lead portfolio manager and
coordinator for management of the Fund, has responsibility for
managing the portfolio and reviewing the overall composition of
the portfolio to ensure its compliance with its stated
investment objective and strategies. Mr. Kemp is Head of
the U.S. Large Cap Growth Equity portfolio construction
team at UBS Global AM. Mr. Kemp is also a Managing Director
of UBS Global AM and has been an investment professional with
the firm since 1992. As a co-portfolio manager,
Mr. Ruvinsky has responsibility for managing the portfolio,
as well as issue selection in the biotech, medical device and
Internet sectors. Mr. Ruvinsky is a Senior Investment
Analyst at UBS Global AM and has been an investment professional
with the firm since 2003.
The Statement of Additional Information (the SAI)
provides additional information about portfolio manager
compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of
securities of the Fund.
Distributor
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis through the
Trusts principal underwriter, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the
Distributor). The Distributors principal
offices are located at 1625 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver,
Colorado 80202.
Management of the fund
9
The Trustees have authorized the Trust to reimburse, out of the
assets of the Fund, Intermediaries (as defined below) that
provide sub-accounting and sub-transfer agency services an
amount up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund
on an annual basis.
Investment
minimums
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
initial
|
|
Subsequent
|
investment*
|
|
investment*
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
*
|
Certain exceptions
apply. See below.
|
Please note that Intermediaries (as defined below) may impose
additional or different conditions than the Fund on purchases,
redemptions or exchanges of Fund shares, including different
initial, subsequent and maintenance investment requirements.
Shares may be purchased by institutions, certain individual
retirement accounts and individuals. In order to be eligible to
purchase Fund shares, an investor must make an initial
investment of at least $100. In its sole discretion, CSIM may
waive this minimum investment requirement. CSIM may waive this
investment minimum for 401(a), 401(k), 457 and 403(b) benefit
plans, and for accounts held through certain intermediaries,
including those who have made arrangements with the Fund to
offer shares to their clients as part of various asset
allocation programs. The minimum may also be waived for certain
other investors, including directors, officers and employees of
The Charles Schwab Corporation and UBS.
General
Shares of the Fund may be sold to corporations or other
institutions such as trusts, foundations, broker-dealers or
other intermediaries purchasing for the accounts of others
(collectively, Intermediaries). Investors purchasing
and redeeming shares of the Fund through an Intermediary may be
charged a transaction-based fee or other fee for the services
provided by the Intermediary. Each such Intermediary is
responsible for transmitting to its customers a schedule of any
such fees and information regarding any additional or different
conditions with respect to purchases and redemptions of Fund
shares. Customers of Intermediaries should read this Prospectus
in light of the terms governing accounts with their particular
organization.
CSIM may pay certain Intermediaries for performing shareholder,
recordkeeping, administrative, transfer agency or other services
for their customers. In addition, CSIM may pay certain
Intermediaries for providing distribution, marketing or
promotional services. The payments described by this paragraph
are not paid by the Fund or its shareholders and may be
substantial.
Purchasing
shares
The offering price for shares of the Fund is the net asset value
per share next determined after receipt of a purchase order. See
How the trust prices shares of the fund.
If you place an order through an Intermediary, please consult
with that Intermediary to determine when your order will be
executed. You receive either the share price next calculated
after your Intermediary has received your order, if the
Intermediary has such an arrangement with the Fund, or the share
price next calculated after the Fund receives your order from
your Intermediary. Some Intermediaries may require your orders
prior to a specified cut-off time. Investors may be charged an
additional fee by their Intermediary if they effect transactions
through such persons.
If you deal directly with an Intermediary, you will have to
follow the Intermediarys procedures for transacting with
the Fund. For more information about how to purchase, sell,
convert or exchange Fund shares through your Intermediary, you
should contact your Intermediary directly.
Initial
investments by wire
Subject to acceptance by the Trust, shares of the Fund may be
purchased by wiring federal funds. Please first contact the
Trust at
1-800-447-3332
for complete wiring instructions. Notification must be given to
the Trust at
1-800-447-3332
prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on
the wire date. Federal funds purchases will be accepted only on
a day on which the Trust, the Distributor and the custodian are
all open for business. A completed Account Application must be
faxed to the Trust on the day the wire is sent and must also be
overnighted to the Trust at Laudus Trust,
c/o Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 8032, Boston,
Massachusetts 02266. Please call
1-800-447-3332
for details. Please note the minimum initial investment
requirement as set forth above under Investment
minimums. In its sole discretion, CSIM may waive the
minimum initial investment requirement.
10
Investing in the fund
Initial
investments by mail
Subject to acceptance by the Trust, an account may be opened by
completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it,
along with a check for the purchase amount, to Laudus Trust,
P.O. Box 8032, Boston, Massachusetts 02266.
The name of the Fund should be specified on the Account
Application. In all cases, subject to acceptance by the Trust,
payment for the purchase of shares received by mail will be
credited to a shareholders account at the net asset value
per share of the Fund next determined after receipt, even though
the check may not yet have been converted into federal funds.
Please note the minimum initial investment requirement as set
forth above under Investment minimums. In its sole
discretion, CSIM may waive the minimum initial investment
requirement.
Additional
investments
Additional cash investments may be made at any time by mailing a
check to the Trust at the address noted under Initial
investments by mail (payable to Laudus Trust) or by wiring
federal funds as noted under Initial investments by
wire. Notification must be given at
1-800-447-3332
or to the appropriate Intermediary prior to the close of the
NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the wire date.
Customer
identification and verification and anti-money laundering
program
Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain,
verify, and record information that identifies each person who
opens an account. Accounts for the Fund are generally opened
through other financial institutions or Intermediaries. When you
open your account through your financial institution or
Intermediary, you will have to provide your name, address, date
of birth, identification number and other information that will
allow the financial institution or Intermediary to identify you.
This information is subject to verification by the financial
institution or Intermediary to ensure the identity of all
persons opening an account.
Your financial institution or Intermediary is required by law to
reject your new account application if the required identifying
information is not provided. Your financial institution or
Intermediary may contact you in an attempt to collect any
missing information required on the application, and your
application may be rejected if they are unable to obtain this
information. In certain instances, your financial institution or
Intermediary is required to collect documents, which will be
used solely to establish and verify your identity.
The Fund will accept investments and your order will be
processed at the NAV next determined after receipt of your
application in proper form (or upon receipt of all identifying
information required on the application). The Fund, however,
reserves the right to close
and/or
liquidate your account at the then-current days price if
the financial institution or Intermediary through which you open
your account is unable to verify your identity. As a result, you
may be subject to a gain or loss on Fund shares and will be
subject to corresponding tax consequences.
Customer identification and verification is part of the
Funds overall obligation to deter money laundering under
Federal law. The Fund has adopted an Anti-Money Laundering
Compliance Program designed to prevent the Fund from being used
for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities.
In this regard, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse,
cancel or rescind any purchase or exchange order,
(ii) freeze any account
and/or
suspend account services or (iii) involuntarily close your
account in cases of threatening conduct or suspected fraudulent
or illegal activity. These actions will be taken when, in the
sole discretion of Fund management, they are deemed to be in the
best interest of the Fund or in cases when the Fund is requested
or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement
authority. If your account is closed at the request of
governmental or law enforcement authority, you may not receive
proceeds of the redemption if the Fund is required to withhold
such proceeds.
Frequent
purchases and redemptions of fund shares
The Fund is intended for long-term investment and not for
short-term or excessive trading (collectively market
timing). Market timing may adversely impact the
Funds performance by disrupting the efficient management
of the Fund, increasing Fund transaction costs and taxes,
causing the Fund to maintain higher cash balances, and diluting
the value of the Funds shares.
In order to discourage market timing, the Funds Board of
Trustees has adopted policies and procedures that are reasonably
designed to reduce the risk of market timing by Fund
shareholders. The Fund seeks to deter market timing through
several methods. These methods may include: fair value pricing,
imposition of redemption fees and trade activity monitoring.
Fair value pricing and redemption fees are discussed more
thoroughly in the subsequent pages of this prospectus and are
considered to be key elements of the Funds policy
regarding short-term or excessive trading. Trade activity
monitoring is risk based and seeks to identify patterns of
activity in amounts that might be detrimental to the Fund.
Investing in the fund
11
Although these methods are designed to discourage market timing,
there can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify
and restrict investors that engage in such activities. In
addition, some of these methods are inherently subjective and
involve judgment in their application. The Fund and its service
providers seek to make these judgments and applications
uniformly and in a manner that they believe is consistent with
the interests of the Funds long-term shareholders. The
Fund may amend these policies and procedures in response to
changing regulatory requirements or to enhance the effectiveness
of the program.
The Fund or its service providers maintain risk-based
surveillance procedures designed to detect market timing in fund
shares in amounts that might be detrimental to the Fund. Under
these procedures, the Fund has requested that service providers
to the Fund monitor transactional activity in amounts and
frequency determined by the Fund to be significant to the Fund
and in a pattern of activity that potentially could be
detrimental to the Fund. If the Fund, in its sole discretion
based on these or other factors, determines that a shareholder
has engaged in market timing, it may refuse to process future
purchases or exchanges into the Fund by that shareholder. These
procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to
improve the detection of market timing and to comply with
applicable laws.
If trades are effected through an Intermediary, the Fund or its
service providers will work with the Intermediary to monitor
possible market timing activity. The Fund reserves the right to
contact the Intermediary to provide certain shareholder
transaction information and may require the Intermediary to
restrict the shareholder from future purchases or exchanges in
the Fund. Transactions by Fund shareholders investing through
Intermediaries may also be subject to the restrictions of the
Intermediarys own frequent trading policies, which may
differ from those of the Fund. The Fund may defer to an
Intermediarys frequent trading policies with respect to
those shareholders who invest in the Fund through such
Intermediary. The Fund will defer to an Intermediarys
policies only after the Fund determines that the
Intermediarys frequent trading policies are reasonably
designed to deter transactional activity in amounts and
frequency that are deemed to be significant to the Fund and in a
pattern of activity that potentially could be detrimental to the
Fund. Shareholders should consult with their Intermediary to
determine if additional frequent trading restrictions apply to
their Fund transactions.
The Fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or cancel, as
permitted or required by law, within a reasonable time
(generally within two business days), without prior notice, any
purchase or exchange order for any reason.
Other
purchase information
An eligible shareholder may also participate in the Laudus Funds
Automatic Investment Program, an investment plan that
automatically debits money from the shareholders bank
account or an account at a broker or other Intermediary and
invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds
transfers. Investors may commence their participation in this
program by making a minimum initial investment that satisfies
the minimum investment amount for the Fund and may elect to make
subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $50 into
their established Fund account. Intermediaries may establish
different minimum subsequent transaction amounts. You should
contact the Trust or your Intermediary for more information
about the Laudus Funds Automatic Investment Program.
For purposes of calculating the purchase price of Fund shares, a
purchase order is received by the Trust on the day that it is in
good order unless it is rejected by the Transfer
Agent. For a cash purchase order of Fund shares to be in
good order on a particular day, a check or money
wire must be received on or before the close of the NYSE
(generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on that day. If the
payment is received by the Trust after the deadline, the
purchase price of Fund shares will be based upon the next
determination of net asset value of Fund shares. No currency,
third party checks, foreign checks, starter checks, credit card
checks, travelers checks or money orders will be accepted.
The Trust reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend
the offering of shares of the Fund or to reject purchase orders
when, in its judgment, such suspension or rejection would be in
the best interests of the Trust or the Fund. The Trust
discourages market timing and maintains procedures designed to
provide reasonable assurances that such activity will be
identified and terminated, including the imposition of the
redemption fee. You may be subject to a fee of 2% if you redeem
or exchange your shares within 30 days of purchase. See
Redeeming shares. Purchases of the Funds
shares may be made in full or in fractional shares of the Fund
(calculated to three decimal places). In the interest of economy
and convenience, certificates for shares will not be issued.
A note on mailing procedures:
If two or more members of a
household own the Fund, we may economize on Fund expenses by
sending only one financial report and prospectus. If you need
additional copies or do not want your mailings to be
householded, please call the Trust at
1-800-447-3332
or write to the Trust.
12
Investing in the fund
Individual
retirement accounts
The Fund may be used to fund individual retirement accounts
(IRAs). A special application must be completed in
order to create such an account.
Contributions to IRAs are subject to prevailing amount limits
set by the Internal Revenue Service. For more information about
IRAs, call the Trust at
1-800-447-3332.
Redeeming
shares
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed by mail, or, if authorized by
an investor in an Account Application, by telephone. The value
of shares redeemed may be more or less than the original cost of
those shares, depending on the market value of the investment
securities held by the Fund at the time of the redemption and on
any expenses and charges attributable thereto.
As noted above in the Purchasing shares section, if
you deal directly with an Intermediary, you should contact your
Intermediary for more information about how to redeem Fund
shares.
By
mail
The Trust will redeem its shares at the net asset value per
share next determined after the request is received in
good order. See How the trust prices
shares of the fund. Requests should be addressed to Laudus
Trust, P.O. Box 8032, Boston, Massachusetts 02266.
To be in good order, a request must include the
following documentation:
|
|
(a)
|
a letter of instruction specifying the number of shares or
dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of
the shares in the exact names in which they are registered;
|
|
|
(b)
|
any required signature guarantees; and
|
|
|
(c)
|
other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of
estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations,
pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.
|
Signature
guarantees
To protect shareholder accounts, the Trust and the Transfer
Agent from fraud, signature guarantees may be required to enable
the Trust to verify the identity of the person who has
authorized a redemption from an account. Signature guarantees
are required for: (1) redemptions where the proceeds are to
be sent to someone other than the registered shareholder(s) at
the registered address, (2) redemptions if your account
address has changed within the last 10 business days,
(3) share transfer requests, and (4) redemptions where
the proceeds are wired in connection with bank instructions not
already on file with the Transfer Agent. Signature guarantees
may be obtained from certain eligible financial institutions,
including but not limited to, the following: U.S. banks,
trust companies, credit unions, securities brokers and dealers,
savings and loan associations and participants in the Securities
and Transfer Association Medallion Program (STAMP),
the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) or the
New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program
(MSP). Signature guarantees from
non-U.S. banks
that do not include a stamp may require a U.S. consulate
stamp. Shareholders may contact the Trust at
1-800-447-3332
for further details.
By
telephone
Provided the telephone redemption option has been authorized by
an investor in an Account Application, a redemption of shares
may be requested by calling the Trust at
1-800-447-3332
and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed to the
primary registration address or wired per the authorized
instructions. If the telephone redemption option or the
telephone exchange option (as described below) is authorized,
the Transfer Agent may act on telephone instructions from any
person representing himself or herself to be a shareholder and
believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer
Agents records of such instructions are binding and the
shareholder, not the Trust or the Transfer Agent, bears the risk
of loss in the event of unauthorized instructions reasonably
believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Transfer Agent
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated are genuine and, if it does not, it may be liable
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
The procedures employed in connection with transactions
initiated by telephone include tape recording of telephone
instructions and requiring some form of personal identification
prior to acting upon instructions received by telephone.
Payments on telephone redemptions will be suspended for a period
typically expected not to exceed 10 business days following a
telephonic address change.
Investing in the fund
13
Systematic
withdrawal plan
An owner of $12,000 or more of shares of the Fund may elect to
have periodic redemptions made from the investors account
to be paid on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis.
The maximum payment per year is 12% of the account value at the
time of the election. The Trust will normally redeem a
sufficient number of shares to make the scheduled redemption
payments on a date selected by the shareholder. Depending on the
size of the payment requested and fluctuation in the net asset
value, if any, of the shares redeemed, redemptions for the
purpose of making such payments may reduce or even exhaust the
account. A shareholder may request that these payments be sent
to a predesignated bank or other designated party. Capital gains
and dividend distributions paid to the account will
automatically be reinvested at net asset value on the
distribution payment date.
Early
redemptions and market timing
Shares redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of purchase,
which shall be calculated to include the 30th day, will be
subject to a fee of 2%, which is intended to limit short-term
trading in the Fund, or to the extent that short-term trading
persists, to impose the costs of that type of activity on the
shareholders who engage in it. Such fee will be paid to the
Fund. The Trust reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
waive such fee when, in its judgment, such waiver would be in
the best interests of the Trust or the Fund. The Trust may waive
the redemption fee for retirement plans, wrap accounts,
charitable giving funds, unregistered separate accounts and
registered investment companies. While the Fund discourages
mutual fund market timing and maintains procedures designed to
provide reasonable assurances that such activity will be
identified and terminated, including the imposition of the
redemption fee described above, no policy or procedure can
guarantee that all such activity will in fact be identified or
that such activity can be completely eliminated.
Further
redemption information
The Trust will not make payment on redemptions of shares
purchased by check until payment of the purchase price has been
collected, which may take up to fifteen days after purchase.
Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase
option.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem your shares in-kind in
accordance with the Funds procedures and applicable
regulatory requirements. If CSIM determines that it would not be
in the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund
to make a redemption payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund
may instead pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a
distribution in-kind of readily marketable securities held by
the Fund. The Trust may commit itself to pay in cash all
requests for redemption by any shareholder of record, limited in
amount with respect to each shareholder during any
90-day
period to the lesser of: (i) $250,000, or (ii) one
percent of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of
such period. Securities used to redeem Fund shares in-kind will
be valued in accordance with the Funds procedures for
valuation described under How the trust prices shares
of the fund. Securities distributed by the Fund in-kind
will be selected by the Subadviser, under CSIMs
supervision, in light of the Funds objective and generally
will be a pro rata distribution of each security held in the
Funds portfolio. Investors may incur brokerage charges on
the sale of any securities received in payment of redemptions.
The Trust reserves the right to delay settlement for redemptions
received in good order for up to seven days. The Trust may
suspend the right of redemption and may postpone payment for a
reasonable period when the NYSE is closed for other than
weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), during
periods when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during an
emergency declared by the SEC which makes it impracticable for
the Fund to dispose of their securities or to determine the
value of their net assets fairly, or during any other period
permitted by the SEC for the protection of investors.
Exchanging
shares
As noted above in the Purchasing shares section, if
you deal directly with an Intermediary, you should contact your
Intermediary for more information about how to exchange Fund
shares. Upon request, and subject to certain limitations, shares
of the Fund, may be exchanged into shares of any other Fund of
the Trust. In order to exchange your shares to another Fund of
the Trust, you must satisfy the minimum requirements for a class
of shares of the new Fund. If you deal directly with an
Intermediary, please contact your Intermediary to learn more
about any limitations that may apply. All other investors should
contact the Trust at
1-800-447-3332.
Although the Trust has no current intention of terminating or
modifying the exchange privileges, it reserves the right to do
so at any time. An exchange of your shares for shares of another
Laudus Fund is taxable as a sale of a security on which a gain
or loss may be recognized. Shareholders should receive written
confirmation of an exchange within a few days of the completion
of the transaction. A new account opened by exchange must be
established with the same name(s), address(es) and social
security number(s) as the existing account.
14
Investing in the fund
All exchanges will be made based on the respective net asset
values next determined following receipt of the request by the
Fund containing the information indicated below.
Shareholders of the Fund will not be permitted to exchange any
shares for shares of the Laudus Rosenberg International Small
Capitalization Fund. Shareholders of the Fund will not be
permitted to exchange any of their shares for shares of the
Laudus Rosenberg U.S. Small Capitalization Fund unless such
shareholders are also existing shareholders of the Laudus
Rosenberg U.S. Small Capitalization Fund. These Funds of
the Trust are offered by a separate prospectus. Shareholders
should obtain and read the prospectus for the Fund into which
you are exchanging prior to placing your order.
Exchange
by mail
To exchange Fund shares by mail, shareholders should simply send
a letter of instruction to the Trust. The letter of instruction
must include: (a) the investors account number;
(b) the class of shares (if applicable) to be exchanged
from and into; (c) the Fund from and the Fund into which
the exchange is to be made; (d) the dollar or share amount
to be exchanged; and (e) the signatures of all registered
owners or authorized parties.
Exchange
by telephone
To exchange Fund shares by telephone, to ask questions about the
exchange privileges or to learn about what conditions and
limitations may apply to the exchange privileges, shareholders
may call the Trust at
1-800-447-3332.
If you wish to exchange shares, please be prepared to give the
telephone representative the following information: (a) the
account number, social security number and account registration;
(b) the class of shares (if applicable) to be exchanged
from and into; (c) the name of the Fund from which and the
Fund into which the exchange is to be made; and (d) the
dollar or share amount to be exchanged. Telephone exchanges are
available only if the shareholder so indicates by checking the
yes box on the Account Application. The Trust
employs procedures, including recording telephone calls, testing
a callers identity, and written confirmation of telephone
transactions, designed to give reasonable assurance that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine, and to
discourage fraud. To the extent that the Fund does not follow
such procedures, it may be liable for losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent telephone instructions. The Fund will not be
liable for acting upon instructions communicated by telephone
that it reasonably believes to be genuine.
The Trust reserves the right to suspend or terminate the
privilege of exchanging shares of the Fund by mail or by
telephone at any time.
How
the trust prices shares of the fund
The Fund is open for business each day that the NYSE is open.
The Fund calculates its share price each business day as of the
close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
The Funds share price is its net asset value per share, or
NAV, which is the Funds net assets divided by the number
of its outstanding shares. Purchases and redemptions will be
effected at the NAV next determined after the Fund or an
authorized Intermediary receives a purchase or redemption
request in good order.
In valuing its securities, the Trust uses the current market
value if one is readily available. Securities held by the Fund
for which market prices are not readily available or for which
the Adviser deems the market price to be unreliable are valued
in accordance with fair value procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Some of the more common reasons that may
necessitate that a security be valued using fair value
procedures include: the securitys trading has been halted
or suspended; the security has been de-listed from a national
exchange; the securitys primary trading market is
temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it
would be open; or the securitys primary pricing source is
not able or willing to provide a price. The Funds
determination of a securitys fair value price often
involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors,
and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value
that the Fund assigns to a security may be higher or lower than
the securitys value would be if a reliable market
quotation for the security was readily available.
Shareholders should be aware that because foreign markets are
often open on weekends and other days when the Fund is closed,
the value of the Funds portfolios may change on days when
it is not possible to buy or sell shares of the Fund.
Distributions
The Fund intends to pay out as dividends substantially all of
its net income and net short-term and long-term capital gains
(after reduction by any available capital loss carry-forwards).
It is the policy of the Fund to declare and pay distributions of
its dividends and interest annually, although it may do so more
frequently as determined by the Trustees of the Trust. The
Funds policy is to distribute net short-term capital gains
and net long-term gains annually, although it may do so more
frequently as determined by the Trustees of the Trust to the
extent permitted by applicable regulations.
Investing in the fund
15
The amount of any distribution will change and there is no
guarantee the Fund will declare and pay dividend income or
distribute a capital gain.
All dividends
and/or
distributions will be paid out in the form of additional shares
of the Fund at net asset value unless the shareholder elects to
receive cash. Shareholders may make this election by marking the
appropriate box on the Account Application or by writing to the
Trust.
If you elect to receive distributions in cash and checks are
returned and marked as undeliverable or remain
uncashed for six months, your cash election will be changed
automatically and your future dividend and capital gains
distributions will be reinvested in that Fund at the per share
net asset value determined as of the date of payment of the
distribution. In addition, any undeliverable checks or checks
that remain uncashed for six months will be canceled and will be
reinvested in that Fund at the per share net asset value
determined as of the date of cancellation.
Taxes
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING YOUR SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS ABOUT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES.
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the Code) and to meet all requirements
necessary to avoid paying any federal income or excise taxes.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment
income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on
distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the
Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how
long a shareholder has owned his or her shares. Distributions of
net capital gains from the sale of investments that the Fund
owned for more than one year and that are properly designated by
the Fund as capital gain dividends will be taxable as long-term
capital gains. Distributions of gains from the sale of
investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be
taxable as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning on or
before December 31, 2010, distributions of investment
income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified
dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals
at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided
holding period and other requirements are met at both the
shareholder and Fund level. The Fund will notify its
shareholders as to what portion of Fund distributions are
designated as qualified dividend income.
Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid
from income or gains earned by the Fund before a
shareholders investment (and thus were included in the
price the shareholder paid). Distributions are taxable whether
shareholders receive them in cash or in the form of additional
shares of the Fund to which the distribution relates. Any gain
resulting from the sale or exchange of Fund shares generally
will be taxable as capital gains. For tax purposes, an exchange
of your Fund shares for shares of a different Fund is the same
as a sale. The gain or loss generally will be treated as short
term if you held the shares for 12 months or less, long
term if you held the shares for longer.
Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been
temporarily reduced in general, to 15% with lower
rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate
brackets for taxable years beginning on or before
December 31, 2010.
The Fund will provide federal tax information annually,
including information about dividends and distributions paid
during the preceding year.
The Funds investments in foreign securities may be subject
to foreign withholding taxes. In that case, the Funds
return on those securities would be decreased. In addition, the
Funds investments in foreign securities or foreign
currencies may increase or accelerate the Funds
recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing or
amount of the Funds distributions.
The Funds transactions in Derivatives will be subject to
special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale,
straddle, and wash sale rules), the effect of which may be to
accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause
adjustments in the holding periods of the Funds
securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term
gains or convert short-term capital losses into long-term
capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount,
timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The
Funds use of such transactions may result in the Fund
realizing more short-term capital gains (subject to tax at
ordinary income tax rates) and ordinary income subject to tax at
ordinary income tax rates than it would if it did not engage in
such transactions.
The foregoing is a general summary of the federal income tax
consequences of investing in the Fund to shareholders who are
U.S. citizens or U.S. corporations. Shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors about the tax consequences
of an investment in the Fund in light of each shareholders
particular tax situation. Shareholders should also consult their
own tax advisors about consequences under foreign, state, local
or other applicable tax laws.
16
Investing in the fund
Disclosure
of portfolio securities information
The Fund may make various types of portfolio securities
information available to shareholders. The Fund generally posts
on its website at www.laudus.com, in the
Analysis & Commentary section, a detailed
list of the securities held by the Fund (under Portfolio
holdings), as of the most recent calendar quarter-end.
This list is generally updated within 30 days after the end
of the calendar quarter remaining posted until at least the
following calendar quarter. The Fund also posts in this section
of its website fund fact sheets containing certain summary
portfolio attributes, including top ten holdings, approximately
20-30 days
after the end of the calendar quarter. The Trust may exclude any
portion of these portfolio holdings from publication when deemed
in the best interest of the Fund. Further information regarding
the Funds policy and procedures on the disclosure of
portfolio securities information is available in the SAI. In
addition, shareholders can learn more about the availability of
portfolio securities information by calling the Fund at
1-800-447-3332.
Investing in the fund
17
PRIVACY
POLICY
THIS IS NOT PART OF THE PROSPECTUS
A
Commitment to Your Privacy
At the Laudus Funds our most important asset is our relationship
with you. We are honored that you have entrusted us with your
financial affairs, and we are committed to protecting the
privacy of information we maintain about you. Establishing and
adhering to an effective privacy policy, regarding proper
handling and use, is an important part of that dedication.
Below, you will find details about Laudus Funds commitment
to protecting your privacy, including the types of information
we collect about you and how we use and share that information.
Our Privacy Policy applies to you only if you are an individual
who invests directly in the funds by placing orders through the
funds sub-transfer agent. If you place orders through your
brokerage account at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. or an
account with another broker-dealer, investment advisor, 401(k)
plan, employee benefit plan, administrator, bank or other
financial intermediary, you are covered by the privacy policies
of that financial institution and should consult those policies.
Your
Privacy Is Not for Sale
Simply put, we do not and will not sell your personal
information to anyone, for any reason, at any time.
How We
Collect Information About You
We collect personal information about you in a number
of ways.
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APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
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We collect information from you when you open an account or
utilize one of our services. We may also collect information
from consumer reporting agencies to verify your identity in the
account-opening process or if you apply for other financial
products or services. The information we collect may include
personal information such as your name, address, phone number,
email address, Social Security number and date of birth, as well
as details about your interests, investments and investment
experience.
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TRANSACTION AND EXPERIENCE INFORMATION.
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Once you have opened an account with us, we collect and maintain
personal information about your account activity, including your
transactions, balances, deposits, positions and history. This
information allows us to administer your account and provide the
services you have requested.
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THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION PROVIDERS.
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We may collect information about you from information services
and consumer reporting agencies to verify your identity,
employment or creditworthiness, or to better understand your
financial needs.
Website
Usage
When you visit our website, our systems may use devices known as
cookies, graphic interchange format files (GIFs), or
other similar web tools to enhance your web experience. These
tools enable us to recognize you when you return to our site and
maintain your web session while you browse, as well as help us
provide you with a better, more personalized experience.
How We
Share and Use Information About You
We provide access to information about you to our affiliated
companies, outside companies and other third parties in certain
limited circumstances, including:
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to help us process transactions for your account;
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when we use another company to provide services for us, such as
printing and mailing your account statements;
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when we believe that disclosure is required or permitted under
law. For example, we may be required to disclose personal
information to cooperate with regulatory or law enforcement
authorities, to resolve consumer disputes, to perform
credit/authentication checks, or for risk control.
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State
Laws
We will comply with state laws that apply to the disclosure or
use of information about you.
Safeguarding
Your Information, Maintaining Your Trust
We take precautions to ensure the information we collect about
you is protected and is accessed only by authorized individuals
or organizations.
Companies we use to provide support services are not allowed to
use information about our shareholders for their own purposes
and are contractually obligated to maintain strict
confidentiality. We limit their use of information to the
performance of the specific services we have requested.
We restrict access to personal information by our employees and
agents. Our employees are trained about privacy and are required
to safeguard personal information.
We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to
protect personal information.
Teaming
Up Against Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious concern to all of us. Safeguarding
information to help protect you from identity theft is a
priority at Laudus Funds. Were committed to keeping your
personal and financial information safe online. To enhance your
security, Laudus Funds takes steps to protect you from identity
theft by:
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utilizing client identification and authentication procedures
before initiating transactions;
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using firewalls and encryption technology to protect personal
information on our computer systems;
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training our employees on privacy and security to properly
handle personal information about you.
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You can also help protect your identity and
accounts. Here are a few steps to remember:
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when using the Internet, keep your login ID and password
confidential;
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keep your security software up-to-date and turned on;
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shred documents that contain personal information;
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check your credit report regularly for unauthorized activity and
protect your personal identification numbers (PINs) and personal
data.
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If you suspect fraud or identity theft, the faster you act the
better. Direct order Laudus
Funds
®
shareholders should contact us at
1-800-447-3332.
Greater
Accuracy Means Better Protection
We are committed to keeping accurate, up-to-date records to help
ensure the integrity of the information we maintain about you.
If you identify an inaccuracy in this information, or if you
need to make a change to it, direct order Laudus Funds
shareholders should contact us promptly by calling
1-800-447-3332.
If you purchase Laudus Funds through a financial institution,
please contact that financial institution.
A
Commitment to Keeping You Informed
We will provide you with advance notice of important changes to
our information-sharing practices.
Contact
Us with Questions
If you have any questions or concerns, direct order Laudus Funds
shareholders should contact us at
clientcommunications@laudusfunds.com or call
1-800-447-3332.
(c) 2009 Laudus Funds. All rights reserved.
COMMAND
PERFORMANCE
TM
For More
Information about the Fund:
Statement of
Additional Information (SAI):
The SAI provides
additional information about the Fund. It is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus and is legally considered a part
of this Prospectus.
Annual and
Semi-Annual Reports:
Additional
information about the Funds investments will be available
in the Funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to
shareholders. In the Funds Annual Report, you will find a
discussion of market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the Funds performance during the
last fiscal year.
You may review and
copy, for a fee, the Trusts Annual and Semi-Annual Reports
and the SAI in person at, or by writing to, the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, Washington D.C.
20549-1520,
or by electronic request via
e-mail
at
the following address: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the
operation of the Commissions Public Reference Room can be
obtained by calling
1-202-551-8090.
You may obtain reports and other information about the Funds for
free from the EDGAR database on the Commissions website at
http://www.sec.gov.
You may also obtain
free copies of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports on
the Funds website at www.laudus.com. To request that a
copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports be mailed
to you, free of charge, or to request other information about
the Fund or make shareholder inquiries, you may contact the Fund
at:
Laudus Trust
P.O. Box 8032
Boston,
Massachusetts 02266
1.800.447.3332
Retail Investors
1.866.452.8387
Registered Investment Professionals
LAUDUS TRUST
Investment
Company Act File
No. 811-5547
REG48076-01 (10/2009)
LAUDUS TRUST
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LAUDUS GROWTH INVESTORS U.S. LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
October 27, 2009
The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction
with the Funds prospectus dated October 27, 2009. To obtain a free copy of the prospectus, please
contact Laudus Trust at P.O. Box 8032, Boston, Massachusetts 02266.
The Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund (the Fund) is a series of the Laudus Trust
(the Trust). The Fund was formed in connection with the reorganization of a previously existing
fund, known as UBS U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund (the UBS Fund), which was previously sponsored and
managed by UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (UBS Global AM or the Subadviser). On
July 13, 2009, the Fund acquired the assets and liabilities of the UBS Fund in a tax-free
reorganization, while maintaining a substantially similar investment objective, and substantially
similar investment strategies and policies. UBS Global AM continues as a subadviser to the Fund.
The UBS Funds fiscal year end was June 30. The Funds fiscal year end is March 31, which is the
fiscal year end of the Trust.
The audited financial statements of the UBS Fund for the UBS Funds fiscal year ended June 30,
2009, including notes thereto and the report of the UBS Funds independent registered public
accounting firm, thereon are herein incorporated by reference from the UBS Funds June 30, 2009
Annual Report. A copy of the UBS Funds June 30, 2009 Annual Report must accompany the delivery of
this SAI. You also can get a copy of the UBS Funds Annual Report without charge by contacting the
Fund at 1.800.447.3332 (Retail Investors) or 1.866.452.8387 (Registered Investment Professionals).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, AND INVESTMENT
SECURITIES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Notice on Shareholder Approval. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or this Statement
of Additional Information, the investment objective and policies of the Fund may be changed without
shareholder approval. The following investment policies, securities, strategies, risks and
limitations supplement those set forth in the Prospectus and may be changed without shareholder
approval unless otherwise noted. Also, except with respect to limitations on borrowing and futures
and option contracts, policies and limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may
be invested in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard, shall be measured
immediately after and as a result of the Funds acquisition of such security or asset unless
otherwise noted. Thus, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances does not
require the Fund to sell an investment if it could not then make the same investment.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. There is no guarantee the Fund will achieve its
objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus
borrowings for investment purposes, if any) in equity securities of U.S. large capitalization
companies. The Fund defines large capitalization companies as those with a market capitalization of
at least $3 billion at the time of investment. In addition, up to 20% of the Funds net assets may
be invested in foreign equity securities. Investments in equity securities include common stock and
preferred stock. The Fund may, but is not required to, use derivative instruments (Derivatives)
for risk management purposes or as part of the Funds investment strategies. Generally, Derivatives
are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying
asset, reference rate, or index, and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or
currency exchange rates, and related indexes. The principal types of Derivatives used by the Fund
include options, futures and forward currency agreements. The Fund may use Derivatives to earn
income and enhance returns, to manage or adjust the risk profile of the Fund, to replace more
traditional direct investments, or to obtain exposure to certain markets. The Fund will notify
shareholders at least 60 days prior to any change in its policy of investing at least 80% of its
net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any) in equity securities of U.S. large
capitalization companies.
The Fund will invest in companies within its capitalization range as described above. However,
the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities outside of this range. Further, if
movement in the market price causes a security to change from one capitalization range to another,
the Fund is not required to dispose of the security.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of the securities in its portfolio (e.g.,
greater than 100% turnover), which would increase transaction costs incurred by the Fund. In
addition, when a fund engages in active and frequent trading, a larger portion of the distributions
investors receive from such fund may reflect short-term capital gains which are taxed like ordinary
income, rather than long-term capital gain distributions.
For temporary defensive purposes during unusual economic or market conditions or for liquidity
purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments,
repurchase agreements and other short-term obligations. When the Fund engages in such activities,
it may not achieve its investment objective.
In deciding whether an investment is tied to the U.S., the Funds subadviser considers a
number of factors including whether the investment is issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or any of its agencies; the investment has its primary trading market in the U.S.; the issuer is
organized under the laws of, derives at least 50% of its revenues from, or has at least 50% of its
assets in, the U.S.; the investment is included in an index representative of the U.S.; and the
investment is exposed to the economic fortunes and risks of the U.S.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
2
The different types of investments that the Fund typically may invest in, the investment
techniques it may use and the risks normally associated with these investments are discussed below.
The Fund will make investments that are intended to help achieve its investment objective.
BANKERS ACCEPTANCES
or notes are credit instruments evidencing a banks obligation to pay a draft
drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the
drawer to pay the full amount of the instrument upon maturity. The Fund will invest only in
bankers acceptances of banks that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in the aggregate in
excess of $100 million.
BORROWING.
The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes; for example, the Fund may
borrow at times to meet redemption requests rather than sell portfolio securities to raise the
necessary cash. The Funds borrowings will be subject to interest costs. Borrowing can also involve
leveraging when securities are purchased with the borrowed money. Leveraging creates interest
expenses that can exceed the income from the assets purchased with the borrowed money. In addition,
leveraging may magnify changes in the net asset value of the Funds shares and in its portfolio
yield. The Fund will earmark or segregate assets to cover such borrowings in accordance with
positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If assets used to secure a borrowing
decrease in value, the Fund may be required to pledge additional collateral to avoid liquidation of
those assets.
The Fund may establish lines-of-credit (lines) with certain banks by which it may borrow funds
for temporary or emergency purposes. A borrowing is presumed to be for temporary or emergency
purposes if it is repaid by the Fund within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. The Fund may
use the lines to meet large or unexpected redemptions that would otherwise force the Fund to
liquidate securities under circumstances which are unfavorable to the funds remaining
shareholders. The Fund will pay a fee to the bank for using the lines.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
or time deposits are issued against funds deposited in a banking
institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. The Fund will invest only
in certificates of deposit of banks that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in the
aggregate in excess of $100 million.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
consists of short term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other
institutions to finance short term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but
sometimes may be interest bearing. Commercial paper, which also may be unsecured, is subject to
credit risk.
CREDIT AND LIQUIDITY
supports may be employed by issuers to reduce the credit risk of their
securities. Credit supports include letters of credit, insurance, total return and credit swap
agreements and guarantees provided by foreign and domestic entities. Liquidity supports include
puts and demand features. Most of these arrangements move the credit risk of an investment from the
issuer of the security to the support provider. Changes in the credit quality of a support provider
could cause losses to the Fund, and affect its share price.
DEBT SECURITIES
are obligations issued by domestic and foreign entities, including governments and
corporations, in order to raise money. They are basically IOUs, but are commonly referred to as
bonds or money market securities. These securities normally require the issuer to pay a fixed,
variable or floating rate of interest on the amount of money borrowed (principal) until it is
paid back upon maturity.
Debt securities experience price changes when interest rates change. For example, when interest
rates fall, the prices of debt securities generally rise. Also, issuers tend to pre-pay their
outstanding debts and issue new ones paying lower interest rates. This is especially true for bonds
with sinking fund provisions, which commit the issuer to set aside a certain amount of money to
cover timely repayment of principal and typically allow the issuer to annually repurchase certain
of its outstanding bonds from the open market or at a pre-set call price.
Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, prepayment on outstanding debt securities
generally will not occur. This is known as extension risk and may cause the value of debt
securities to depreciate as a result of the higher market interest
3
rates. Typically, longer-maturity securities react to interest rate changes more severely than
shorter-term securities (all things being equal), but generally offer greater rates of interest.
Debt securities also are subject to the risk that the issuers will not make timely interest and/or
principal payments or fail to make them at all. This is called credit risk. Corporate debt
securities (bonds) tend to have higher credit risk generally than U.S. government debt
securities. Debt instruments also may be subject to price volatility due to market perception of
future interest rates, the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market
risk). Investment-grade debt securities are considered medium- or/and high-quality securities,
although some still possess varying degrees of speculative characteristics and risks. Debt
securities rated below investment-grade are riskier, but may offer higher yields. These securities
are sometimes referred to as high yield securities or junk bonds.
The market for these securities has historically been less liquid than investment grade securities.
DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
include purchasing and selling securities on a delayed-delivery or
when-issued basis. These transactions involve a commitment to buy or sell specific securities at a
predetermined price or yield, with payment and delivery taking place after the customary settlement
period for that type of security. When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, the Fund
assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations.
Typically, no interest will accrue to the purchaser until the security is delivered. The Fund will
earmark or segregate appropriate liquid assets to cover its delayed-delivery purchase obligations.
When the Fund sells a security on a delayed-delivery basis, it does not participate in further
gains or losses with respect to that security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction
fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the Fund could suffer losses.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
include American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) as well as other hybrid forms of
ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), and are
certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts may be
sponsored or unsponsored. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on
an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by
a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuers home country. The depository bank
may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for
various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are
alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and
currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing
directly in foreign securities.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject the Fund to investment risks that
differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks
include future adverse political and economic developments, withholding taxes on income or possible
imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of
foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater
fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage
in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may
be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are,
generally speaking, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting
treatment than are those in the United States.
Although the two types of depositary receipt facilities (unsponsored or sponsored) are similar,
there are differences regarding a holders rights and obligations and the practices of market
participants. A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or
acquiescence of) the underlying issuer; typically, however, the depository requests a letter of
non-objection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored
depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depository usually charges
fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into
U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of
other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to
distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through voting
rights to depositary receipt holders with respect to the underlying securities.
4
Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored
facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depository and
the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and
responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depository, and the depositary receipt holders. With
sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary
receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although most sponsored depositary
receipts holders may bear costs such as deposit and withdrawal fees. Depositories of most sponsored
depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings, voting instructions, and
other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the
underlying issuers request. The Fund may invest in ADRs as part of its principal investment
strategy.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
are commonly defined to include securities or contracts whose values depend
on (or derive from) the value of one or more other assets such as securities, currencies or
commodities. These other assets are commonly referred to as underlying assets. The Fund may
use derivative instruments as part of its principal investment strategy.
A derivative instrument generally consists of, is based upon, or exhibits characteristics similar
to options or forward contracts. Options and forward contracts are considered to be the basic
building blocks of derivatives. For example, forward-based derivatives include forward contracts,
as well as exchange-traded futures. Option-based derivatives include privately negotiated,
over-the-counter (OTC) options (including caps, floors, collars, and options on forward and swap
contracts) and exchange-traded options on futures. Diverse types of derivatives may be created by
combining options or forward contracts in different ways, and applying these structures to a wide
range of underlying assets.
Risk management strategies include investment techniques designed to facilitate the sale of
portfolio securities, manage the average duration of the portfolio or create or alter exposure to
certain asset classes, such as equity, other debt or foreign securities.
In addition to the derivative instruments and strategies described in this SAI, the Investment
Adviser (as defined below) or Subadviser expects to discover additional derivative instruments and
other hedging or risk management techniques. The Investment Adviser or Subadviser may utilize these
new derivative instruments and techniques to the extent that they are consistent with the Funds
investment objective and permitted by the Funds investment limitations, operating policies, and
applicable regulatory authorities.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETFs)
such as Standard and Poors Depositary Receipts (SPDRs) Trust, are
investment companies that typically are registered under the 1940 Act as open-end funds or unit
investment trusts (UITs). ETFs are actively traded on national securities exchanges and are
generally based on specific domestic and foreign market indices. Shares of an ETF may be bought and
sold throughout the day at market prices, which may be higher or lower than the shares net asset
value. An index-based ETF seeks to track the performance of an index holding in its portfolio
either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. Because
ETFs are based on an underlying basket of stocks or an index, they are subject to the same market
fluctuations as these types of securities in volatile market swings. ETFs, like mutual funds, have
expenses associated with their operation, including advisory fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF,
in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro
rata portion of the ETFs expenses. As with any exchange listed security, ETF shares purchased in
the secondary market are subject to customary brokerage charges. Pursuant to an exemptive order
issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission to iShares and procedures approved by the Funds
Board of Trustees, the Fund may invest in iShares beyond the limits set forth in Section
12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund has described exchange-traded fund investments
in its prospectuses and otherwise complies with the conditions of the exemptive order and other
applicable investment limitations.
EQUITY LINKED SECURITIES.
The Fund may invest a portion of their assets in equity linked
securities. Equity linked securities are privately issued derivative securities which have a return
component based on the performance of a single security, a basket of securities, or an index.
Equity linked securities are primarily used by the Fund as an alternative
5
means to more efficiently and effectively access the securities market of what is generally an
emerging country. To the extent that the Fund invests in equity linked securities whose return
corresponds to the performance of a foreign securities index or one or more of foreign stocks,
investing in equity linked securities will involve risks similar to the risks of investing in
foreign securities. See Foreign Securities below.
The Fund deposits an amount of cash with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) in an
amount near or equal to the selling price of the underlying security in exchange for an equity
linked security. Upon sale, the Fund receives cash from the broker or custodian equal to the value
of the underlying security. Aside from the market risk associated with the underlying security,
there is the risk of default by the other party to the transaction. In the event of insolvency of
the other party, the Fund might be unable to obtain its expected benefit. In addition, while the
Fund will seek to enter into such transactions only with parties which are capable of entering into
closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close
out such a transaction with the other party or obtain an offsetting position with any other party,
at any time prior to the end of the term of the underlying agreement. This may impair the Funds
ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous.
Equity linked securities are often used for many of the same purposes as, and share many of the
same risks with, derivative instruments such as options. See Options below. Equity linked
securities may be considered illiquid and thus subject to the Funds restrictions on investments in
illiquid securities. In some instances, investments in equity linked securities may also be subject
to the Funds limitations on investing in investment companies; see Investment Company Securities
below.
EQUITY SECURITIES
represent ownership interests in a company, and are commonly called stocks.
The Fund invests in equity securities as part of its principal investment strategy. Equity
securities historically have outperformed most other securities, although their prices can
fluctuate based on changes in a companys financial condition, market conditions and political,
economic or even company-specific news. When a stocks price declines, its market value is lowered
even though the intrinsic value of the company may not have changed. Sometimes factors, such as
economic conditions or political events, affect the value of stocks of companies of the same or
similar industry or group of industries, and may affect the entire stock market.
Types of equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities,
warrants, ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, and interests in real estate investment trusts, (for more information
on real estate investment trusts, REITs, see section entitled Real Estate Investment Trusts).
Common stocks, which are probably the most recognized type of equity security, represent an equity
or ownership interest in an issuer and usually entitle the owner to voting rights in the election
of the corporations directors and any other matters submitted to the corporations shareholders
for voting, as well as to receive dividends on such stock. The market value of common stock can
fluctuate widely, as it reflects increases and decreases in an issuers earnings. In the event an
issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of bond owners, other debt holders and
owners of preferred stock take precedence over the claims of common stock owners.
Preferred stocks represent an equity or ownership interest in an issuer but do not ordinarily carry
voting rights, though they may carry limited voting rights. Preferred stocks normally have
preference over the corporations assets and earnings, however. For example, preferred stocks have
preference over common stock in the payment of dividends. Preferred stocks normally pay dividends
at a specified rate. However, preferred stock may be purchased where the issuer has omitted, or is
in danger of omitting, payment of its dividend. Such investments would be made primarily for their
capital appreciation potential. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the
claims of bond owners take precedence over the claims of preferred and common stock owners. Certain
classes of preferred stock are convertible into shares of common stock of the issuer. By holding
convertible preferred stock, the Fund can receive a steady stream of dividends and still have the
option to convert the preferred stock to common stock. Preferred stock is subject to many of the
same risks as common stock and debt securities.
6
Convertible securities are typically preferred stocks or bonds that are exchangeable for a specific
number of another form of security (usually the issuers common stock) at a specified price or
ratio. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on
bonds or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is
redeemed, converted or exchanged. A company may issue a convertible security that is subject to
redemption after a specified date, and usually under certain circumstances. A holder of a
convertible security that is called for redemption would be required to tender it for redemption to
the issuer, convert it to the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. The convertible
structure allows the holder of the convertible bond to participate in share price movements in the
companys common stock. The actual return on a convertible bond may exceed its stated yield if the
companys common stock appreciates in value and the option to convert to common stocks becomes more
valuable.
Convertible securities typically pay a lower interest rate than nonconvertible bonds of the same
quality and maturity because of the convertible feature. Convertible securities are also rated
below investment grade (high yield) or are not rated, and are subject to credit risk.
Prior to conversion, convertible securities have characteristics and risks similar to
nonconvertible debt and equity securities. In addition, convertible securities are often
concentrated in economic sectors, which, like the stock market in general, may experience
unpredictable declines in value, as well as periods of poor performance, which may last for several
years. There may be a small trading market for a particular convertible security at any given time,
which may adversely impact market price and the Funds ability to liquidate a particular security
or respond to an economic event, including deterioration of an issuers creditworthiness.
Convertible preferred stocks are nonvoting equity securities that pay a fixed dividend. These
securities have a convertible feature similar to convertible bonds, but do not have a maturity
date. Due to their fixed income features, convertible securities provide higher income potential
than the issuers common stock, but typically are more sensitive to interest rate changes than the
underlying common stock. In the event of a companys liquidation, bondholders have claims on
company assets senior to those of shareholders; preferred shareholders have claims senior to those
of common shareholders.
Convertible securities typically trade at prices above their conversion value, which is the current
market value of the common stock received upon conversion, because of their higher yield potential
than the underlying common stock. The difference between the conversion value and the price of a
convertible security will vary depending on the value of the underlying common stock and interest
rates. When the underlying value of the common stocks declines, the price of the issuers
convertible securities will tend not to fall as much because the convertible securitys income
potential will act as a price support. While the value of a convertible security also tends to rise
when the underlying common stock value rises, it will not rise as much because their conversion
value is more narrow. The value of convertible securities also is affected by changes in interest
rates. For example, when interest rates fall, the value of convertible securities may rise because
of their fixed income component.
Warrants are types of securities usually issued with bonds and preferred stock that entitle the
holder to purchase a proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price for a specific
period of time. The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the
underlying common stock. Warrants have no voting rights, receive no dividends and have no rights
with respect to the assets of the issuer. If a warrant is not exercised within the specified time
period, it will become worthless and the Fund will lose the purchase price it paid for the warrant
and the right to purchase the underlying security.
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
. The Fund may purchase shares issued as part of, or a short period after, a
companys initial public offering (IPOs), and may at times dispose of those shares shortly after
their acquisition. The Funds purchase of shares issued in IPOs exposes it to the risks associated
with companies that have little operating history as public companies, as well as to the risks
inherent in those sectors of the market where these new issuers operate. The market for IPO issuers
has been volatile, and share prices of newly-public companies have fluctuated significantly over
short periods of time.
7
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (MLPS).
MLPs are limited partnerships in which the common units are
publicly traded. MLP common units are freely traded on a securities exchange or in the
over-the-counter market and are generally registered with the SEC. MLPs often own several
properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to real estate development and oil and
gas industries, but they also may finance motion pictures, research and development and other
projects. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The
general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct
management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may
be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner
typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in
the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own
the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role, if
any, in the partnerships operations and management.
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first
priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (minimum
quarterly distributions). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in
distributions to the extent the minimum quarterly distribution is not paid. Once common and general
partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the minimum
quarterly distribution; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in
excess of the minimum quarterly distribution paid to both common and subordinated units is
distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general
partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the
business in a manner that results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target
levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general
partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common
arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every
incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions are
intended to encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and
acquire assets in order to increase the partnerships cash flow and raise the quarterly cash
distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results are intended to benefit all security
holders of the MLP, however, such incentive distribution payments give rise to potential conflicts
of interest between the common unit holders and the general partner.
MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. Common units are listed and
traded on U.S. securities exchanges or over-the-counter, with their value fluctuating predominantly
based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. The Fund may purchase common
units in market transactions as well as directly from the MLP or other parties in private
placements. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited
voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. MLPs generally distribute all
available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures) in the form
of quarterly distributions. Common units, along with general partner units, have first priority to
receive quarterly cash distributions up to the minimum quarterly distribution and have arrearage
rights. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not
debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.
MLP subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to their original sponsors, such as their
founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to the MLP, and investors.
Subordinated units may be purchased directly from these persons as well as newly-issued
subordinated units from MLPs themselves. Subordinated units have similar voting rights as common
units and are generally not publicly traded. Once the minimum quarterly distribution on the common
units, including any arrearages, has been paid, subordinated units receive cash distributions up to
the minimum quarterly distribution prior to any incentive payments to the MLPs general partner.
Unlike common units, subordinated units do not have arrearage rights. In the event of liquidation,
common units and general partner interests have priority over subordinated units. Subordinated
units are typically converted into common units on a one-to-one basis after certain time periods
and/or performance targets have been satisfied. The purchase or sale price of subordinated units is
generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The size of the discount varies depending
on the likelihood of conversion, the length of time remaining to conversion, the size of the block
purchased relative to trading volumes, and other factors, including smaller capitalization
partnerships or companies potentially having limited product lines, markets or financial
8
resources, lacking management depth or experience, and being more vulnerable to adverse general
market or economic development than larger more established companies.
General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained by an MLPs original sponsors, such as its
founders, corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors. A holder of
general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the
amount of the holders investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often
confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. These
interests themselves are not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded
entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLPs aggregate
cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition,
holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights, which provide
them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the distributions to limited
partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot
be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP
unitholders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited
partner unitholders.
Additional risks involved with investing in a MLP are risks associated with the specific industry
or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risks of investing in real estate, or
oil and gas industries.
Certain MLPs are dependent on their parent companies or sponsors for a majority of their revenues.
Any failure by a MLPs parents or sponsors to satisfy their payments or obligations would impact
the MLPs revenues and cash flows and ability to make distributions.
FIXED TIME DEPOSITS
are bank obligations payable at a stated maturity date and bearing interest at
a fixed rate. Fixed time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to
early withdrawal penalties, which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity
of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial
interest in a fixed time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.
The Fund will not invest in fixed time deposits, which (1) are not subject to prepayment or (2)
provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits) if, in the
aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in such deposits, repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days and other illiquid assets.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.
As part of its principal investment strategy, the Fund may purchase
and sell foreign currency options and foreign currency futures contracts and related options and
may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the rate prevailing in
the currency exchange market at the time or through forward currency contracts (forwards) with
terms generally of less than one year. The Fund may engage in these transactions in order to
protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale
of securities.
The Fund may also use foreign currency options and foreign currency forward contracts to increase
exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one
country to another (as in cross hedging, see below). The Fund will earmark or segregate assets for
any open positions in forwards used for non-hedging purposes and mark to market daily as may be
required under the federal securities laws.
A forward 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 may be bought or sold to protect the Fund
against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between foreign
currencies and the U.S. dollar or to increase exposure to a particular foreign currency. Many
foreign securities markets do not settle trades within a time frame that would be considered
customary in the U.S. stock market. Therefore, the Fund may engage in forward foreign currency
exchange contracts in order to secure exchange rates for fund securities purchased or sold, but
awaiting settlement. These transactions do not seek to eliminate any fluctuations in the underlying
prices of the securities involved. Instead, the transactions simply establish a rate of exchange
that can be
9
expected when the Fund settles its securities transactions in the future. Forwards involve certain
risks. For example, if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of the
contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably, the Fund could sustain a
loss.
The Fund also may engage in forward foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of
specific portfolio positions, which is called position hedging. When engaging in position
hedging, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange transactions to protect against
a decline in the values of the foreign currencies in which portfolio securities are denominated (or
against an increase in the value of currency for securities that the Fund expects to purchase).
Buying and selling foreign currency exchange contracts involves costs and may result in losses. The
ability of the Fund to engage in these transactions may be limited by tax considerations. Although
these techniques tend to minimize the risk of loss due to declines in the value of the hedged
currency, they tend to limit any potential gain that might result from an increase in the value of
such currency. Transactions in these contracts involve certain other risks. Unanticipated
fluctuations in currency prices may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it
had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may be imperfect correlation between the
Funds holdings of securities denominated in a particular currency and forward contracts into which
the Fund enters. Such imperfect correlation may cause the Fund to sustain losses, which will
prevent it from achieving a complete hedge or expose it to risk of foreign exchange loss.
Suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no
assurance that the Fund will engage in such transactions at any given time or from time to time.
Also, such transactions may not be successful and may eliminate any chance for the Fund to benefit
from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.
Forwards will be used primarily to adjust the foreign exchange exposure of the Fund with a view to
protecting the outlook, and the Fund might be expected to enter into such contracts under the
following circumstances:
LOCK IN.
When the Investment Adviser or Subadviser desires to lock in the U.S. dollar price on the
purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency.
CROSS HEDGE.
If a particular currency is expected to decrease against another currency, the Fund
may sell the currency expected to decrease and purchase a currency which is expected to increase
against the currency sold in an amount approximately equal to some or all of the Funds portfolio
holdings denominated in the currency sold.
DIRECT HEDGE.
If the Investment Adviser or Subadviser wants to a eliminate substantially all of the
risk of owning a particular currency, and/or if the Investment Adviser or Subadviser thinks that
the Fund can benefit from price appreciation in a given countrys bonds but does not want to hold
the currency, it may employ a direct hedge back into the U.S. dollar. In either case, the Fund
would enter into a forward contract to sell the currency in which a portfolio security is
denominated and purchase U.S. dollars at an exchange rate established at the time it initiated the
contract. The cost of the direct hedge transaction may offset most, if not all, of the yield
advantage offered by the foreign security, but the Fund would benefit from an increase in value of
the bond.
PROXY HEDGE.
The Investment Adviser or Subadviser might choose to use a proxy hedge, which may be
less costly than a direct hedge. In this case, the Fund, having purchased a security, will sell a
currency whose value is believed to be closely linked to the currency in which the security is
denominated. Interest rates prevailing in the country whose currency was sold would be expected to
be closer to those in the U.S. and lower than those of securities denominated in the currency of
the original holding. This type of hedging entails greater risk than a direct hedge because it is
dependent on a stable relationship between the two currencies paired as proxies and the
relationships can be very unstable at times.
COSTS OF HEDGING.
When the Fund purchases a foreign bond with a higher interest rate than is
available on U.S. bonds of a similar maturity, the additional yield on the foreign bond could be
substantially reduced or lost if the Fund were to enter into a direct hedge by selling the foreign
currency and purchasing the U.S. dollar. This is what is known as the cost of hedging. Proxy
hedging attempts to reduce this cost through an indirect hedge back to the U.S. dollar. It is
10
important to note that hedging costs are treated as capital transactions and are not, therefore,
deducted from the Funds dividend distribution and are not reflected in its yield. Instead such
costs will, over time, be reflected in the Funds net asset value per share.
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HEDGING.
Under applicable tax law, the Fund may be required to limit its gains
from hedging in foreign currency forwards, futures, and options. Although the Fund is expected to
comply with such limits, the extent to which these limits apply is subject to tax regulations as
yet unissued. Hedging may also result in the application of the mark-to-market and straddle
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Those provisions could result in an increase (or decrease)
in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the funds and could affect whether dividends paid by the
Fund are classified as capital gains or ordinary income.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
involve additional risks, including foreign currency exchange rate risks,
because they are issued by foreign entities, including foreign governments, banks and corporations
or because they are traded principally overseas. The Fund may invest in foreign securities as part
of its principal investment strategy. Foreign securities in which the Fund may invest include
foreign entities that are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. corporations. In
addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign entities. Foreign
economic, political and legal developments, as well as fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates
and withholding taxes, could have more dramatic effects on the value of foreign securities. For
example, conditions within and around foreign countries, such as the possibility of expropriation
or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, diplomatic developments, change of
government or war could affect the value of foreign investments. Moreover, individual foreign
economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of
gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and
balance of payments position.
Foreign securities typically have less volume and are generally less liquid and more volatile than
securities of U.S. companies. Fixed commissions on foreign securities exchanges are generally
higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although the Fund will endeavor to achieve
the most favorable overall results on portfolio transactions. There is generally less government
supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, dealers and listed companies
than in the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio
transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. There may be difficulties in
obtaining or enforcing judgments against foreign issuers as well. Bankruptcy laws in some foreign
countries are sometimes biased to the borrowers and against the creditors. These factors and others
may increase the risks with respect to the liquidity of the Fund, and its ability to meet a large
number of shareholder redemption requests.
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 Fund is uninvested and no return is
earned thereon. The inability to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could
cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Losses to the Fund arising out of the
inability to fulfill a contract to sell such securities also could result in potential liability
for the Fund.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may be made and held in foreign currencies. In
addition, the Fund may hold cash in foreign currencies. These investments may be affected favorably
or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and may cause the
Fund to incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The rate of exchange
between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is determined by the forces of supply and demand in
the foreign exchange market as well as by political and economic factors. Changes in the foreign
currency exchange rates also may affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and
losses realized on the sale of securities, and net investment income and gains, if any, to be
distributed to shareholders by the Fund.
FORWARD CONTRACTS
are sales contracts between a buyer (holding the long position), and the seller
(holding the short position) for an asset with delivery deferred to a future date. The Fund may
engage in forward contracts as part of its principal investment strategy. The buyer agrees to pay
a fixed price at the agreed future date and the seller agrees to
11
deliver the asset. The seller hopes that the market price on the delivery date is less than the
agreed upon price, while the buyer hopes for the contrary. The change in value of a forward-based
derivative generally is roughly proportional to the change in value of the underlying asset.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
are instruments that represent an agreement between two parties that obligates
one party to buy, and the other party to sell, specific instruments at an agreed-upon price on a
stipulated future date. In the case of futures contracts relating to an index or otherwise not
calling for physical delivery at the close of the transaction, the parties usually agree to deliver
the final cash settlement price of the contract. As part of its principal investment strategy, the
Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts based on securities, securities indices and foreign
currencies, interest rates, or any other futures contracts traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of
trade that the Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC) licenses and regulates on foreign
exchanges. Consistent with CFTC regulations, the trust has claimed an exclusion from the definition
of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and, therefore, is
not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Although positions are usually marked to market on a daily basis with an intermediary (executing
broker) there remains a credit risk with the futures exchange.
The Fund must maintain a small portion of its assets in cash to process shareholder transactions in
and out of the Fund and to pay its expenses. In order to reduce the effect this otherwise
uninvested cash would have on its performance, the Fund may purchase futures contracts. Such
transactions allow the Funds cash balance to produce a return similar to that of the underlying
security or index on which the futures contract is based. Also, the Fund may purchase or sell
futures contracts on a specified foreign currency to fix the price in U.S. dollars of the foreign
security it has acquired or sold or expects to acquire or sell. The Fund may enter into futures
contracts for other reasons as well. For example, to efficiently change the duration stance of the
Fund by buying and/or selling government bond futures.
When buying or selling futures contracts, the Fund must place a deposit with its broker equal to a
fraction of the contract amount. This amount is known as initial margin and must be in the form
of liquid debt instruments, including cash, cash-equivalents and U.S. government securities.
Subsequent payments to and from the broker, known as variation margin may be made daily, if
necessary, as the value of the futures contracts fluctuate. This process is known as
marking-to-market. The margin amount will be returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures
contracts assuming all contractual obligations are satisfied. Because margin requirements are
normally only a fraction of the amount of the futures contracts in a given transaction, futures
trading can involve a great deal of leverage. In order to avoid this, the Fund will earmark or
segregate assets for any outstanding futures contracts as may be required under the federal
securities laws.
While the Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts in order to simulate full investment,
there are risks associated with these transactions. Adverse market movements could cause the Fund
to experience substantial losses when buying and selling futures contracts. Of course, barring
significant market distortions, similar results would have been expected if the Fund had instead
transacted in the underlying securities directly. There also is the risk of losing any margin
payments held by a broker in the event of its bankruptcy. Additionally, the Fund incurs transaction
costs (i.e. brokerage fees) when engaging in futures trading. To the extent the Fund also invests
in futures in order to simulate full investment, these same risks apply.
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the Fund may seek, through the
sale of futures contracts, to offset a decline in the value of their current portfolio securities.
When rates are falling or prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts,
may attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when they
effect anticipated purchases. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures contracts on a specified
currency to protect against a decline in the value of that currency and their portfolio securities
that are denominated in that currency. The Fund may purchase futures contracts on a foreign
currency to fix the price in U.S. dollars of a security denominated in that currency that the Fund
has acquired or expects to acquire.
12
Futures contracts normally require actual delivery or acquisition of an underlying security or cash
value of an index on the expiration date of the contract. In most cases, however, the contractual
obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract by buying or selling, as the case may be,
identical futures contracts. Such offsetting transactions terminate the original contracts and
cancel the obligation to take or make delivery of the underlying securities or cash. There may not
always be a liquid secondary market at the time the Fund seeks to close out a futures position. If
the Fund is unable to close out its position and prices move adversely, the Fund would have to
continue to make daily cash payments to maintain its margin requirements. If the Fund had
insufficient cash to meet these requirements it may have to sell portfolio securities at a
disadvantageous time or incur extra costs by borrowing the cash. Also, the Fund may be required to
make or take delivery and incur extra transaction costs buying or selling the underlying
securities. The Fund seeks to reduce the risks associated with futures transactions by buying and
selling futures contracts that are traded on national exchanges or for which there appears to be a
liquid secondary market.
HYBRID INSTRUMENTS
are a type of potentially high-risk derivative that combines a traditional
stock, bond, or commodity with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount,
amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or
negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or another interest rate
or some other economic factor (each a benchmark). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income
securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or
decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid could be a
bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest
that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level.
Such a hybrid instrument would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.
Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including
currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or
pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as
a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These
benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and
currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain
conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may
entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional,
U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating
rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of
the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund. The
Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in hybrid instruments.
Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative
securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to
commodity futures contracts, commodity options, or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid
instruments may be either equity or debt securities, and are considered hybrid instruments because
they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these
instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic
variable. The Fund will only invest in commodity-linked hybrid instruments that qualify under
applicable rules of the CFTC for an exemption from the provisions of the CEA.
Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment
companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Funds investments in these products may be
subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to
restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
generally are any securities that cannot be disposed of promptly and in the
ordinary course of business at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the
instruments. The liquidity of the Funds investments is monitored under the supervision and
direction of the Board of Trustees. Investments currently not considered liquid include repurchase
agreements not maturing within seven days and certain restricted securities. Any security may
become illiquid at times of market dislocation.
13
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES
are high-quality, short term debt securities that may be issued by entities
such as the U.S. government, corporations and financial institutions (like banks). Money market
securities include commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, notes and time
deposits. Certificates of deposit and time deposits are issued against funds deposited in a banking
institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Bankers acceptances are
credit instruments evidencing a banks obligation to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These
instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the full amount of the
instrument upon maturity. Commercial paper consists of short term, unsecured promissory notes
issued to finance short term credit needs.
Money market securities pay fixed, variable or floating rates of interest and are generally subject
to credit and interest rate risks. The maturity date or price of and financial assets
collateralizing a security may be structured in order to make it qualify as or act like a money
market security. These securities may be subject to greater credit and interest rate risks than
other money market securities because of their structure. Money market securities may be issued
with puts or sold separately, sometimes called demand features or guarantees, which are agreements
that allow the buyer to sell a security at a specified price and time to the seller or put
provider. When the Fund buys a put, losses could occur as a result of the costs of the put or if
it exercises its rights under the put and the put provider does not perform as agreed. Standby
commitments are types of puts.
The Fund may keep a portion of its assets in cash for business operations. In order to reduce the
effect this otherwise uninvested cash would have on its performance, the Fund may invest in money
market securities. The Fund may also invest in money market securities to the extent it is
consistent with its investment objective.
NON-PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES AND PRIVATE PLACEMENTS.
The Fund may invest in securities that are
neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded over-the-counter, including privately placed
securities. Such unlisted securities may involve a higher degree of business and financial risk
that can result in substantial losses. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for
these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Although these
securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales
could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair
value of such securities. Furthermore, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not
be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements which might be applicable
if their securities were publicly traded. If such securities are required to be registered under
the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being sold, the Fund may be required to
bear the expenses of registration.
NON-TRADITIONAL EQUITY SECURITIES.
The Fund may invest in convertible preferred stocks that offer
enhanced yield features, such as Preferred Equity Redemption Cumulative Stock (PERCS), which
provide an investor, such as the Fund, with the opportunity to earn higher dividend income than is
available on a companys common stock. A PERCS is a preferred stock which generally features a
mandatory conversion date, as well as a capital appreciation limit which is usually expressed in
terms of a stated price. Upon the conversion date, most PERCS convert into common stock of the
issuer (PERCS are generally not convertible into cash at maturity). Under a typical arrangement, if
after a predetermined number of years the issuers common stock is trading at a price below that
set by the capital appreciation limit, each PERCS would convert to one share of common stock. If,
however, the issuers common stock is trading at a price above that set by the capital appreciation
limit, the holder of the PERCS would receive less than one full share of common stock. The amount
of that fractional share of common stock received by the PERCS holder is determined by dividing the
price set by the capital appreciation limit of the PERCS by the market price of the issuers common
stock. PERCS can be called at any time prior to maturity, and hence do not provide call protection.
However, if called early, the issuer may pay a call premium over the market price to the investor.
This call premium declines at a preset rate daily, up to the maturity date of the PERCS.
The Fund may also invest in other enhanced convertible securities. These include but are not
limited to ACES (Automatically Convertible Equity Securities), PEPS (Participating Equity Preferred
Stock), PRIDES (Preferred Redeemable Increased Dividend Equity Securities), SAILS (Stock
Appreciation Income Linked Securities), TECONS (Term Convertible Notes), QICS (Quarterly Income
Cumulative Securities), and DECS (Dividend Enhanced Convertible Securities). ACES, PEPS, PRIDES,
SAILS, TECONS, QICS, and DECS all have the following features: they are company-issued convertible
preferred stock; unlike PERCS, they do not have capital appreciation limits; they seek to provide
the investor with high current income, with some prospect of future capital appreciation; they are
typically issued
14
with three- to four-year maturities; they typically have some built-in call protection for the
first two to three years; investors have the right to convert them into shares of common stock at a
preset conversion ratio or hold them until maturity; and upon maturity, they will automatically
convert to either cash or a specified number of shares of common stock.
OPTIONS CONTRACTS
generally provide the right to buy or sell a security, commodity, futures
contract or foreign currency in exchange for an agreed upon price. If the right is not exercised
after a specified period, the option expires and the option buyer forfeits the money paid to the
option seller. The Fund may use options contracts as part of its principal investment strategy.
A call option gives the buyer the right to buy a specified number of shares of a security at a
fixed price on or before a specified date in the future. For this right, the call option buyer pays
the call option seller, commonly called the call option writer, a fee called a premium. Call option
buyers are usually anticipating that the price of the underlying security will rise above the price
fixed with the call writer, thereby allowing them to profit. If the price of the underlying
security does not rise, the call option buyers losses are limited to the premium paid to the call
option writer. For call option writers, a rise in the price of the underlying security will be
offset in part by the premium received from the call option buyer. If the call option writer does
not own the underlying security, however, the losses that may ensue if the price rises could be
potentially unlimited. If the call option writer owns the underlying security or commodity, this is
called writing a covered call. All call and put options written by the Fund will be covered, which
means that the Fund will own the securities subject to the option so long as the option is
outstanding or the Fund will earmark or segregate assets for any outstanding option contracts.
A put option is the opposite of a call option. It gives the buyer the right to sell a specified
number of shares of a security at a fixed price on or before a specified date in the future. Put
option buyers are usually anticipating a decline in the price of the underlying security, and wish
to offset those losses when selling the security at a later date. All put options the Fund writes
will be covered, which means that the Fund will earmark or segregate cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid securities with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put
option. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However,
in return for the option premium, the 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.
The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on any securities in which they may invest or
any securities index or basket of securities based on securities in which they may invest. In
addition, the Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency options and foreign currency futures
contracts and related options. The Fund may purchase and write such options on securities that are
listed on domestic or foreign securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. Like
futures contracts, option contracts are rarely exercised. Option buyers usually sell the option
before it expires. Option writers may terminate their obligations under a written call or put
option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to
as closing purchase transactions. The Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to
realize gains or minimize losses on options it has purchased or wrote.
An exchange-traded currency option position may be closed out only on an options exchange that
provides a secondary market for an option of the same series. Although the Fund generally will
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 will exist for any particular option or at any
particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to
options it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of assets
earmarked or held in a segregated account until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if
the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased,
it would 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: (1)
there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (2) an exchange may impose
restrictions on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (3) trading halts,
suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of
options; (4) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange;
(5) the facilities of an
15
exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) may not at all times be adequate to handle
current trading volume; or (6) 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), although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the OCC
as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their
terms.
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. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its position, the Fund will
treat purchased over-the-counter options and all assets used to cover written over-the-counter
options as illiquid securities, except that with respect to options written with primary dealers in
U.S. government securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at a
formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be calculated with reference to a formula the
staff of the SEC approves.
Additional risks are involved with options trading because of the low margin deposits required and
the extremely high degree of leverage that may be involved in options trading. There may be
imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the securities held by the Fund and the
prices of the options, possible lack of a liquid secondary market, and the resulting inability to
close such positions prior to their maturity dates.
The Fund may write or purchase an option only when the market value of that option, when aggregated
with the market value of all other options transactions made on behalf of the Fund, does not exceed
5% of its net assets.
An option contract may be implicitly entered into by purchasing certain securities with built in
options. An example of such would be a reverse floating rate note where the buyer is also selling
one or more caps on short dated interest rates.
PROMISSORY NOTES
are written agreements committing the maker or issuer to pay the payee a specified
amount either on demand or at a fixed date in the future, with or without interest. These are
sometimes called negotiable notes or instruments and are subject to credit risk. Bank notes are
notes used to represent obligations issued by banks in large denominations.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS)
are pooled investment vehicles, which invest primarily in
income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests and, in some cases, manage
real estate. REITs are sometimes referred to as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or hybrid REITs. An
equity REIT invests primarily in properties and generates income from rental and lease properties
and, in some cases, from the management of real estate. Equity REITs also offer the potential for
growth as a result of property appreciation and from the sale of appreciated property. Mortgage
REITs invest primarily in real estate mortgages, which may secure construction, development or long
term loans, and derive income for the collection of interest payments. Hybrid REITs may combine the
features of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. REITs are generally organized as corporations or
business trusts, but are not taxed as a corporation if they meet certain requirements of Subchapter
M of the Code. To qualify, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially all of its assets
in interests in real estate (including other REITs), cash and government securities, distribute at
least 95% of its taxable income to its shareholders and receive at least 75% of that income from
rents, mortgages and sales of property.
Like any investment in real estate, a REITs performance depends on many factors, such as its
ability to find tenants for its properties, to renew leases, and to finance property purchases and
renovations. In general, REITs may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which
may have an exaggerated effect to the extent a REIT concentrates its investment in certain regions
or property types. For example, rental income could decline because of extended vacancies,
increased competition from nearby properties, tenants failure to pay rent, or incompetent
management. Property values could decrease because of overbuilding, environmental liabilities,
uninsured damages caused by natural disasters, a general decline in the neighborhood, losses due to
casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes, or changes in zoning laws. Ultimately, a
REITs performance depends on the types of properties it owns and how well the REIT manages its
properties.
16
In general, during periods of rising interest rates, REITs may lose some of their appeal for
investors who may be able to obtain higher yields from other income-producing investments, such as
long term bonds. Higher interest rates also mean that financing for property purchases and
improvements is more costly and difficult to obtain. During periods of declining interest rates,
certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that mortgagors elect to prepay, which can reduce the
yield on securities issued by mortgage REITs. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of
borrowers to repay debts to the REIT when due and equity REITs may be affected by the ability of
tenants to pay rent.
Like small-cap stocks in general, certain REITs have relatively small market capitalizations and
their securities can be more volatile thanand at times will perform differently fromlarge-cap
stocks. In addition, because small-cap stocks are typically less liquid than large-cap stocks, REIT
stocks may sometimes experience greater share-price fluctuations than the stocks of larger
companies. Further, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have limited
diversification, and are therefore subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited
number of projects. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear
indirectly a proportionate share of the REITs expenses in addition to their proportionate share of
the Funds expenses. Finally, REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of
income under the Code or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act).
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
are instruments under which a buyer acquires ownership of certain securities
(usually U.S. government securities) from a seller who agrees to repurchase the securities at a
mutually agreed-upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the buyers holding
period. Any repurchase agreements the Fund enters into will involve the Fund as the buyer and banks
or broker-dealers as sellers. The period of repurchase agreements is usually short from overnight
to one week, although the securities collateralizing a repurchase agreement may have longer
maturity dates. Default by the seller might cause the Fund to experience a loss or delay in the
liquidation of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. The Fund also may incur
disposition costs in liquidating the collateral. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of a
repurchase agreements seller, the Fund might incur expenses in enforcing its rights, and could
experience losses, including a decline in the value of the underlying securities and loss of
income. The Fund will make payment under a repurchase agreement only upon physical delivery or
evidence of book entry transfer of the collateral to the account of its custodian bank.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
are securities that are subject to legal restrictions on their sale.
Restricted securities may be considered to be liquid if an institutional or other market exists for
these securities. In making this determination, the Fund, under the direction and supervision of
the Board of Trustees will take into account various factors, including: (1) the frequency of
trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the
security and the number of potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the
security; and (4) the nature of the security and marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to
dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). To the
extent the Fund invests in restricted securities that are deemed liquid, its general level of
illiquidity may be increased if qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing
these securities.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS
may be used by the Fund. The Fund may
engage in reverse repurchase agreements to facilitate portfolio liquidity, a practice common in the
mutual fund industry, or for arbitrage transactions as discussed below. In a reverse repurchase
agreement, the Fund would sell a security and enter into an agreement to repurchase the security at
a specified future date and price. The Fund generally retains the right to interest and principal
payments on the security. If the Fund uses the cash it obtains to invest in other securities, this
may be considered a form of leverage and may expose the Fund to a greater risk. Leverage tends to
magnify the effect of any decrease or increase in the value on the Funds portfolios securities.
Because the Fund receives cash upon entering into a reverse repurchase agreement, it may be
considered a borrowing. When required by guidelines of the SEC, the Fund will set aside permissible
liquid assets earmarked or in a segregated account to secure its obligations to repurchase the
security.
17
The Fund also may enter into mortgage dollar rolls, in which the Fund would sell MBS for delivery
in the current month and simultaneously contract to purchase substantially similar securities on a
specified future date. While the Fund would forego principal and interest paid on the MBS during
the roll period, the Fund would be compensated by the difference between the current sales price
and the lower price for the future purchase as well as by any interest earned on the proceeds of
the initial sale. The Fund also could be compensated through the receipt of fee income equivalent
to a lower forward price. At the time the Fund would enter into a mortgage dollar roll, it would
set aside permissible liquid assets earmarked or in a segregated account to secure its obligation
for the forward commitment to buy MBS. Mortgage dollar roll transactions may be considered a
borrowing by the Fund.
The mortgage dollar rolls and reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund may be used as
arbitrage transactions in which the Fund will maintain an offsetting position in short duration
investment-grade debt obligations. Since the Fund will receive interest on the securities or
repurchase agreements in which it invests the transaction proceeds, such transactions may involve
leverage. However, since such securities or repurchase agreements will be high quality and short
duration, the Investment Adviser believes that such arbitrage transactions present lower risks to
the Fund than those associated with other types of leverage. There can be no assurance that the
Funds use of the cash it receives from a mortgage dollar roll will provide a positive return.
SECURITIES LENDING
of portfolio securities is a common practice in the securities industry. The
Fund may engage in security lending arrangements. For example, the Fund may receive cash
collateral, and it may invest it in short term, interest-bearing obligations, but will do so only
to the extent that it will not lose the tax treatment available to regulated investment companies.
Lending portfolio securities involves risks that the borrower may fail to return the securities or
provide additional collateral. Also, voting rights with respect to the loaned securities may pass
with the lending of the securities.
The Fund may loan portfolio securities to qualified broker-dealers or other institutional investors
provided: (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. government
securities, letters of credit, cash or cash equivalents or other appropriate instruments maintained
on a daily marked-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the
securities loaned; (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of the
securities loaned; (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned
securities; and (4) the aggregate market value of securities loaned will not at any time exceed
one-third of the total assets of the Fund, including collateral received from the loan (at market
value computed at the time of the loan).
By lending its securities, the Fund may increase its income by receiving payments from the borrower
that reflect the amount of any interest or any dividends payable on the loaned securities as well
as by either investing cash collateral received from the borrower in short-term instruments or
obtaining a fee from the borrower when U.S. Government securities or letters of credit are used as
collateral.
Although voting rights with respect to loaned securities pass to the borrower, the lender retains
the right to recall a security (or terminate a loan) for the purpose of exercising the securitys
voting rights. Efforts to recall such securities promptly may be unsuccessful, especially for
foreign securities or thinly traded securities such as small-cap stocks. In addition, because
recalling a security may involve expenses to the Fund, it is expected that the Fund will do so only
where the items being voted upon are, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, either material to
the economic value of the security or threaten to materially impact the issuers corporate
governance policies or structure.
SECURITIES OF OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
may be purchased and sold by the Fund and those issued by
foreign investment companies. Mutual funds are registered investment companies, which may issue and
redeem their shares on a continuous basis (open-end mutual funds) or may offer a fixed number of
shares usually listed on an exchange (closed-end mutual funds). Mutual funds generally offer
investors the advantages of diversification and professional investment management, by combining
shareholders money and investing it in various types of securities, such as stocks, bonds and
money market securities. Mutual funds also make various investments and use certain techniques in
order to enhance their performance. These may include entering into delayed-delivery and
when-issued securities transactions or
18
swap agreements; buying and selling futures contracts, illiquid and restricted securities and
repurchase agreements and borrowing or lending money and/or portfolio securities. The risks of
investing in mutual funds generally reflect the risks of the securities in which the mutual funds
invest and the investment techniques they may employ. Also, mutual funds charge fees and incur
operating expenses. If the Fund decides to purchase securities of other investment companies, the
Fund intends to purchase shares of mutual funds in compliance with the requirements of federal law
or any applicable exemptive relief received from the SEC. Except with respect to the Funds
investments in registered money market funds and unregistered money market funds that comply with
certain conditions of the 1940 Act, mutual fund investments for the Fund are currently restricted
under federal regulations, and therefore, the extent to which the Fund may invest in another mutual
fund may be limited.
Funds in which the Fund also may invest include unregistered or privately-placed funds, such as
hedge funds and offshore funds. Hedge funds and offshore funds are not registered with the SEC, and
therefore are largely exempt from the regulatory requirements that apply to registered investment
companies (mutual funds). As a result, these types of funds have greater ability to make
investments or use investment techniques, such as leveraging, that can increase investment return
but also may substantially increase the risk of losses. Investments in these funds also may be more
difficult to sell, which could cause losses to the Fund. For example, hedge funds typically require
investors to keep their investment in a hedge fund for some period of time, such as 1 year or more.
This means investors would not be able to sell their shares of a hedge fund until such time had
past, and the investment may be deemed to be illiquid. In addition, because hedge funds may not
value their portfolio holdings on a frequent basis, investments in those hedge funds may be
difficult to price.
The Fund is prohibited from acquiring any securities of registered open-end investment companies or
registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) or Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the
1940 Act.
SHORT SALES
may be used by the Fund as part of its overall portfolio management strategies or to
offset (hedge) a potential decline in the value of a security. The Fund may engage in short sales
that are either against the box or uncovered. A short sale is against the box if at all times
during which the short position is open, the Fund owns at least an equal amount of the securities
or securities convertible into, or has the right to acquire, at no added cost, the securities of
the same issue as the securities that are sold short. A short sale against the box is a taxable
transaction to the Fund with respect to the securities that are sold short. Uncovered short sales
are transactions under which the Fund sells a security it does not own. To complete such
transaction, the Fund may borrow the security through a broker to make delivery to the buyer and,
in doing so, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security
at the market price at the time of the replacement. The Fund also may have to pay a fee to borrow
particular securities, which would increase the cost of the security. In addition, the Fund is
often obligated to pay any accrued interest and dividends on the securities until they are
replaced. The proceeds of the short sale position will be retained by the broker until the Fund
replaces the borrowed securities.
The Fund will incur a loss if the price of the security sold short increases between the time of
the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security and, conversely, the Fund will
realize a gain if the price declines. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the
transaction costs described above. A short sale creates the risk of an unlimited loss, as the price
of the underlying securities could theoretically increase without limit, thus increasing the cost
of buying those securities to cover the short position. If the Fund sells securities short against
the box, it may protect unrealized gains, but will lose the opportunity to profit on such
securities if the price rises. The successful use of short selling as a hedging strategy may be
adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold
short and the securities being hedged.
The Funds obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be
secured by collateral deposited with the broker that consists of cash or other liquid securities.
In addition, the Fund will earmark cash or liquid assets or place in a segregated account an amount
of cash or other liquid assets equal to the difference, if any, between (1) the market value of the
securities sold short, marked-to-market daily, and (2) any cash or other liquid securities
deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale.
19
SPREAD TRANSACTIONS
may be used for hedging or managing risk. The Fund may purchase covered spread
options from securities dealers. Such covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or
exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put, or sell, a
security that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relation to another
security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund in
purchasing covered spread options is the cost of the premium paid for the spread option and any
transaction costs. In addition, there is no assurance that closing transactions will be available.
The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in
prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality
securities. Such protection is only provided during the life of the spread option.
SWAP AGREEMENTS
are privately negotiated over-the-counter derivative products in which two parties
agree to exchange payment streams calculated in relation to a rate, index, instrument or certain
securities (referred to as the underlying) and a predetermined amount (referred to as the
notional amount). The underlying for a swap may be an interest rate (fixed or floating), a
currency exchange rate, a commodity price index, a credit derivative contract (single name or
multiname or index), a security, group of securities or a securities index, a combination of any of
these, or various other rates, assets or indices. Swap agreements generally do not involve the
delivery of the underlying or principal, and a partys obligations generally are equal to only the
net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions
held by each party to the swap agreement. In addition, the Fund may invest in swaptions, which are
privately-negotiated option-based derivative products. Swaptions give the holder the right to enter
into a swap. The Fund may use a swaption in addition to or in lieu of a swap involving a similar
rate or index.
Swap agreements can be structured to increase or decrease the Funds exposure to long or short term
interest rates, corporate borrowing rates and other conditions, such as changing security prices
and inflation rates. They also can be structured to increase or decrease the Funds exposure to
specific issuers or specific sectors of the bond market such as mortgage securities. For example,
if the Fund agreed to pay a longer-term fixed rate in exchange for a shorter-term floating rate
while holding longer-term fixed rate bonds, the swap would tend to decrease the Funds exposure to
longer-term interest rates. Swap agreements tend to increase or decrease the overall volatility of
the Funds investments and its share price and yield. Changes in interest rates, or other factors
determining the amount of payments due to and from the Fund, can be the most significant factors in
the performance of a swap agreement. If a swap agreement calls for payments from the Fund, the Fund
must be prepared to make such payments when they are due. In order to help minimize risks, the Fund
will earmark or segregate appropriate assets for any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed under the
terms of a swap agreement entered into on a net basis. All other swap agreements will require the
Fund to earmark or segregate assets in the amount of the accrued amounts owed under the swap. The
Fund could sustain losses if a counterparty does not perform as agreed under the terms of the swap.
The Fund will enter into swap agreements with counterparties deemed creditworthy by the Investment
Adviser.
For purposes of applying the Funds investment policies and restrictions (as stated in the
prospectus and this SAI) swap agreements are generally valued by the Fund at market value. In the
case of a credit default swap sold by the Fund (i.e., where the Fund is selling credit default
protection), however, the Fund will generally value the swap at its notional amount. The manner in
which certain securities or other instruments are valued by the Fund for purposes of applying
investment policies and restrictions may differ from the manner in which those investments are
valued by other types of investors.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES
are strategies the Fund may take for temporary or defensive
purposes. During unusual economic or market conditions or for temporary defensive or liquidity
purposes, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, money market instruments,
repurchase agreements and other short term obligations that would not ordinarily be consistent with
the Funds objectives. The Fund will do so only if the Investment Adviser or Subadviser believes
that the risk of loss outweighs the opportunity for capital gains or higher income. When the Fund
engages in such activities, it may not achieve its investment objective.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
are issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Not all U.S. government securities are
backed by the full faith and credit of the
20
United States. Some U.S. government securities, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac,
the Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA or Sallie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Banks
(FHLB), are supported by a line of credit the issuing entity has with the U.S. Treasury. Others are
supported solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality such as obligations issued
by the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation (FFCB). There can be no assurance that the
U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government securities of its agencies and
instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so under law. U.S. government securities, including
U.S. Treasury securities, are among the safest securities, however, not unlike other debt
securities, they are still sensitive to interest rate changes, which will cause their yields and
prices to fluctuate.
On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,
placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S. Treasury
agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained
warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under this agreement, the U.S.
Treasury has pledged to provide up to $100 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the
contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their
assets. This is intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a positive net worth and
meet their financial obligations preventing mandatory triggering of receivership. Additionally, the
U.S. Treasury has implemented a temporary program to purchase new mortgage-backed securities issued
by the instrumentalities. This is intended to create more affordable mortgage rates for homeowners,
enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market and potentially maintain or increase the value of
existing mortgage-backed securities. The program expires in December 2009. No assurance can be
given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives will be successful.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
The following are fundamental investment limitations and restrictions, and may be changed only by
vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities.
The Fund may not:
1)
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Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is
defined under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as
such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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2)
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Purchase or sell commodities or real estate, except to the extent permitted (or not
prohibited) under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption
therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to
time.
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3)
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Make loans to other persons, except to the extent permitted (or not prohibited) under the
1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute,
rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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4)
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Borrow money, except to the extent permitted (or not prohibited) under the 1940 Act, the
rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or
regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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5)
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Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted (or not prohibited) under the 1940
Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or
regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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6)
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Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted (or not
prohibited) under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption
therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to
time.
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7)
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Purchase securities of an issuer, except as consistent with the maintenance of its status as
an open-end diversified company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any
exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from
time to time
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The following descriptions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies
and restrictions.
Diversification.
Under the 1940 Act and the rules, regulations and interpretations
thereunder, a diversified company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of
any issuer (other than obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. government or its agencies, or
instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its
total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuers
voting securities would be held by the Fund.
Borrowing.
The 1940 Act restricts an investment company from borrowing (including pledging,
mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including
temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets). Transactions that are fully
collateralized in a manner that does not involve the prohibited issuance of a senior security
within the meaning of Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, shall not be regarded as borrowings for the
purposes of the Funds investment restriction.
Concentration.
The SEC has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment
companys total assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions such as with
respect to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies
and instrumentalities, or tax-exempt obligations of state or municipal governments and their
political subdivisions. For purposes of the Funds concentration policy, (i) financial service
companies will be classified according to the types of services; for example, insurance, commercial
banks, mortgages, and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (ii)
energy and natural resources companies will be classified according to the types of products and
services; for example, crude oil, petroleum, natural gas, precious metals and mining will each be
considered a separate industry.
Lending.
Under the 1940 Act, an investment company may only make loans if expressly
permitted by its investment policies. The Funds non-fundamental investment policy on lending is
set forth below.
Real Estate.
The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment companys ability to
invest in real estate, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment
policy governing such investments. The Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that would permit
direct investment in real estate. However, the Fund has a non-fundamental investment limitation
that prohibits it from investing directly in real estate. This non-fundamental policy may be
changed only by vote of the Funds Board of Trustees.
Senior Securities.
Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by an
investment company evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Fund from issuing
senior securities, although it provides allowances for certain borrowings and certain other
investments, such as short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and
standby commitments, when such investments are covered or with appropriate earmarking or
segregation of assets to cover such obligations.
Underwriting.
Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves an investment company
purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or
participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly.
The following are non-fundamental investment limitations and restrictions, and may be changed by
the board of trustees.
22
The Fund may not:
1)
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Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
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2)
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Purchase securities of other investment companies, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the
rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or
regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
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3)
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Sell securities short unless it owns the security or the right to obtain the security or
equivalent securities, or unless it covers such short sale as required by current SEC rules
and interpretations (transactions in futures contracts, options and other derivative
instruments are not considered selling securities short).
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4)
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Purchase securities on margin, except such short term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of securities and provided that margin deposits in connection
with futures contracts, options on futures or other derivative instruments shall not
constitute purchasing securities on margin.
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5)
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Borrow money except that the Fund may (i) borrow money from banks or through an interfund
lending facility, if any, only for temporary or emergency purposes (and not for leveraging)
and (ii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements with any party; provided that (i) and (ii) in
combination do not exceed 33 1/3% of its total assets (any borrowings that come to exceed this
amount will be reduced to the extent necessary to comply with the limitation within three
business days).
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6)
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Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total
assets would be lent to other parties (this restriction does not apply to purchases of debt
securities or repurchase agreements).
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7)
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Purchase or sell commodities, commodity contracts or real estate, including interests in real
estate limited partnerships, provided that the Fund may (i) purchase securities of companies
that deal in real estate or interests therein (including REITs), (ii) purchase or sell futures
contracts, options contracts, equity index participations and index participation contracts,
and (iii) purchase securities of companies that deal in precious metals or interests therein.
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Policies and investment limitations that state a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested
in a security or other asset, or that set forth a quality standard shall be measured immediately
after and as a result of the Funds acquisition of such security or asset, unless otherwise noted.
Except with respect to limitations on borrowing and futures and option contracts, any subsequent
change in net assets or other circumstances does not require the Fund to sell an investment if it
could not then make the same investment. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in
the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed
its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back
within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.
The phrase shareholder approval as used in the Prospectus and herein, and the phrase vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities, as used herein, means the affirmative vote of the
lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a class, the Fund or the Trust, as the
case may be, or (2) 67% or more of the shares of a class, the Fund or the Trust, as the case may
be, present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting
in person or by proxy.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
A change in securities held by the Fund is known as portfolio turnover and almost always
involves the payment by the Fund of brokerage commissions or dealer markup and other transaction
costs on the sale of securities as well as on the reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities.
Portfolio turnover is not a limiting factor with respect to investment decisions.
As disclosed in the Prospectus, high portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund, and
could involve realization of capital gains that would
23
be taxable when distributed to shareholders of the Fund. To the extent that portfolio turnover
results in the realization of net short-term capital gains, such gains are ordinarily taxed to
shareholders at ordinary income tax rates.
INCOME, DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX STATUS
This discussion of federal income tax consequences is based on Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on
the date of this Statement of Additional Information. New legislation, as well as administrative
changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have
a retroactive effect with respect to the transaction contemplated herein.
The tax status of the Fund and the distributions which it may make are summarized in the
Prospectus under the headings Distributions and Taxes. The Fund intends to qualify each year as
a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC and to qualify
for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other
things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect
to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or
foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership; (b)
diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50%
of the value of its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities,
securities of other RICs or other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to a
value not more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund and not more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total
assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other
RICs) of any one issuer, of two or more issuers of which the Fund owns at least 20% of the voting
power of each issuer and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related businesses, or the
securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (c) distribute with respect
to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its taxable net investment income, its net
tax-exempt income (if any), and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses for such year. To the extent the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC,
the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form
of dividends or capital gain distributions.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the
Fund will be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from
earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term
capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Subject to certain limitations,
such distributions should qualify for the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders
and for the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income for individual shareholders. In
addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and
interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special
tax treatment.
In order to avoid an excise tax imposed on certain underdistributed amounts, the Fund must
distribute prior to each calendar year end without regard to the Funds fiscal year end (i) 98% of
the Funds ordinary income, (ii) 98% of the Funds capital gain net income, if any, realized in the
one-year period ending on October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted and so elects), and (iii)
100% of any undistributed income from prior years. A dividend paid to shareholders by the Fund in
January of a year is generally deemed to have been paid by the Fund on December 31 of the preceding
year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October,
November or December of that preceding year.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income and gains derived from foreign
investments. Such taxes would reduce the yield on the Funds investments, but, as discussed in the
Funds Prospectus, may in some situations be taken as either a deduction or a credit by U.S.
shareholders. Investment by the Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies could
subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge on distributions received from, or on
the sale of its investment in, such a company. Such a tax cannot be eliminated by making
distributions to Fund shareholders. The Fund may avoid this tax by making an election to mark
certain of such securities to the market annually. Alternatively, where it is in a position to do
so, the Fund may elect to treat a passive foreign
24
investment company as a qualified electing fund, in which case different rules will apply,
although the Fund generally does not expect to be in the position to make such elections.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as
ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned
the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her
shares. Distributions of net capital gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for
more than one year and that are properly designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends will be
taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the
Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. The dividends-received
deduction for corporations will generally be available to corporate shareholders with respect to
their receipt of the Funds dividends from investment income to the extent derived from dividends
received by the Fund from domestic corporations, provided the Fund and the shareholder each meet
the relevant holding period requirements.
For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, distributions of investment income
designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of
individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for some portion of the
dividends received by Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding
period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend paying stocks in its
portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the
Funds shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (1) if the dividend is
received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period
beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with
respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day
period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an
obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to
positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the
dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of
investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not
eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the
exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States), or (b) treated as a foreign personal holding
company, foreign investment company, or passive foreign investment company.
If the aggregate qualified dividends received by the Fund during any taxable year are 95% or
more of its gross income, then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than properly designated capital
gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the
only gain included in the term gross income is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net
long-term capital loss. In general, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as
derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a
shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other
requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares.
Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by
the Fund before a shareholders investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder
paid). Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or in the form of
additional shares of the Fund to which the distribution relates. Any gain resulting from the sale
or exchange of Fund shares generally will be taxable as capital gains.
Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been temporarily reducedin
general, to 15% with lower rates applying to taxpayers in the 10% and 15% rate bracketsfor
taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010.
Dividends and distributions on the Funds shares are generally subject to federal income tax
as described herein, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a
return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect
of shares purchased at a time when the Funds net asset value reflects gains that are either
unrealized, or realized but not distributed.
25
Certain tax-exempt organizations or entities may not be subject to federal income tax on
dividends or distributions from the Fund. Each organization or entity should review its own
circumstances and the federal tax treatment of its income.
Under current law, the Fund is generally required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a
percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to and proceeds of share sales,
exchanges or redemptions made by any individual shareholder who fails to furnish the Fund with a
correct taxpayer identification number, who has underreported income in the past or fails to
provide certain certifications. However, the general backup withholding rules set forth above will
not apply to a shareholder so long as the shareholder furnishes the Fund with the appropriate
certification required by the Internal Revenue Service. The backup withholding tax rate is 28% for
amounts paid through 2010. The backup withholding rate reductions will be 31% for amounts paid
after December 31, 2010.
In order for a foreign investor to qualify for exemption from (or reduced rates for)
withholding tax under income tax treaties, the foreign investor must comply with special
certification and filing requirements. Foreign investors in the Fund should consult their tax
advisers in this regard.
The Funds transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward
contracts, straddles and certain foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including
mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which
may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding
periods of the Funds securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and
convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect
the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
Certain transactions effectively insulating the Fund from substantially all risk of loss and
all opportunity for gain in an appreciated financial position are treated as constructive sales of
those positions for federal income tax purposes. Short sales, swap contracts, and forward or
futures contracts to sell the appreciated position, or one or more other transactions that have
substantially the same effect as those transactions as determined under regulations, are treated as
constructive sales for this purpose. If the Fund owns an appreciated financial position and
enters into such a transaction it will generally recognize gain for tax purposes prior to the
generation of cash by such activities, which may require the Fund to sell assets to meet its
distribution requirement.
THE TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS A SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES
ONLY. EACH SHAREHOLDER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISER WITH RESPECT TO THE
SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND, INCLUDING THE EFFECT AND
APPLICABILITY OF STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN
FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT INTENDED, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED, TO BE A
SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Laudus Trust. The Trustees oversee the general conduct of the Funds business. Certain
information concerning the Trustees is set forth below.
26
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Number
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Name, Address
1
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of
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and Year of Birth;
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Portfolios
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(Term of Office and
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in Fund
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Length of Time
2
)
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five
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Complex
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Other Directorships Held
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Served
2
)
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Years
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Overseen
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by Trustee
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Independent Trustees:
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Mariann Byerwalter
3
1960
(1/04-present)
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Chairman of JDN Corporate Advisory LLC.
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83
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Board 1
Director,
Redwood Trust, Inc.
(mortgage finance).
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William A. Hasler
3
1941
(1/04-present)
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Dean Emeritus of the Haas School of
Business at the University of
California, Berkeley. Until February
2004, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Aphton Corporation
(bio-pharmaceuticals).
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
Board 1
Director,
Mission West Properties
(commercial real estate).
Board 2
Director, TOUSA
(home building).
Board 3
Director,
Harris-Stratex Networks (a
network equipment
corporation).
Board 4
Director,
Globalstar, Inc.
(satellite, voice and
data).
Board 5
Director,
Ditech Networks (voice
communications technology)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nils H. Hakansson
4
1937
(3/90-present)
|
|
Sylvan C. Coleman Professor of Finance
and Accounting, Emeritus, Haas School
of Business, University of California,
Berkeley (since 2003). Mr. Hakansson
was also a Professor of Finance and
Accounting, Haas School of Business,
University of California, Berkeley
(July 1969 to January 2003).
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall W. Merk
1954
(6/06-present)
|
|
Executive Vice President and President,
Investment Management Services, Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc.; Executive Vice
President, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
(2002 present); President and Chief
Executive Officer, Charles Schwab
Investment Management, Inc.
(2007-present); Director, Charles
Schwab Asset Management (Ireland)
Limited and Charles Schwab Worldwide
Funds PLC.
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
None.
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The mailing address of each of the Trustees is c/o Laudus Trust, 211 Main Street, San
Francisco, CA 94105.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Each Trustee shall hold office until the election and qualification of his or her successor,
or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed. The Laudus Funds retirement policy requires
that independent trustees retire by December 31 of the year in which the Trustee turns 72 or
the Trustees twentieth year of service as an independent trustee, whichever comes first.
Further, if an independent trustee serves on the board of the Schwab Funds and the Laudus
Funds, he or she must retire all boards in the Fund Complex at the same time. Mr. Hakansson is
scheduled to retire from the Board on December 31, 2009.
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Member of the Audit Committee.
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
This number includes all registered investment companies included in the Fund Complex (Laudus
Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments,
Schwab Annuity Portfolios, and Schwab Capital Trust) as of June 30, 2009.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
This number includes all registered investment companies included in the Laudus Trust and
Laudus Institutional Trust (collectively Laudus Funds), each of which is part of the Fund
Complex. As of June 30, 2009, the Laudus Funds, in the aggregate, consisted of 15 operational
funds.
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Mr. Merk is an interested Trustee because he owns stock of The Charles Schwab Corporation,
the parent company of the Investment Adviser.
|
Trustee Committees
The Board of Trustees has established certain committees and adopted Committee charters with
respect to those committees, each as described below:
The Trust has a standing Audit and Compliance Committee (formerly the Audit Committee). The
members of the Audit and Compliance Committee are identified above. The function of the Audit and
Compliance Committee is to provide oversight responsibility for the integrity of the Trusts
financial reporting processes and compliance policies, procedures and processes, and for the
Trusts overall system of internal controls. The charter directs that the Audit and Compliance
Committee must meet four times annually, with additional meetings as the Audit and Compliance
Committee deems appropriate. The current Audit and Compliance Committee and its predecessor met 4
times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
The Trust also has a Nominating Committee that is composed of all the Independent Trustees,
which meets as often as deemed appropriate by the Nominating Committee for the primary purpose of
selecting and nominating candidates to serve as members of the Board of Trustees. There are no
specific procedures in place to consider nominees recommended by shareholders, but such nominees
would be considered if such nominations were submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in conjunction with a shareholder meeting to consider the
election of Trustees. The charter directs that the Nominating Committee meets at such times and
with such frequency as is deemed necessary or appropriate by the Nominating Committee. The
Nominating Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
The following table provides each Trustees equity ownership of the Fund and ownership of all
registered investment companies overseen by each Trustee in the Family of Investment Companies as
of December 31, 2008.
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of
|
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
|
|
Equity Securities in the Family
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
in the Fund
|
|
of Investment Companies7
|
Independent Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mariann Byerwalter
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
William A. Hasler
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Nils H. Hakansson
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
10,001 - $50,000
|
|
Interested Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall W. Merk
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
50,001 - $100,000
|
|
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
As of December 31, 2008, the Family of Investment Companies consisted of the 15 operational
series of the Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust.
|
Certain information concerning the Trusts officers is set forth below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address
8
and Year of
|
|
|
|
|
Birth; (Term of Office
9
and
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation During
|
Length of Time Served)
|
|
Position with the Trust
|
|
Past Five Years
|
Jeffrey Mortimer,
1963
(3/08-present, President and CEO)
(04/08-present, CIO)
|
|
President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Chief Investment
Officer
|
|
Senior Vice President and
Chief Investment Officer,
Charles Schwab Investment
Management, Inc., and
Schwab Funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Pereira
1964
(6/06 present)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer,
Charles Schwab Investment
Management, Inc.;
Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer, Schwab
Funds; Director, Charles
Schwab Worldwide Funds,
PLC and Charles Schwab
Asset Management (Ireland)
Ltd. Through June 2007,
Chief Financial Officer,
Mutual Fund Division, UST
Advisers, Inc., and
Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief
Accounting Officer,
Excelsior Funds, Inc.,
Excelsior Tax-Exempt
Funds, Inc., and Excelsior
Funds Trust; From 12/99
to 11/04: Senior Vice
President, Financial
Reporting, Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catherine MacGregor
1964
(12/05 present)
|
|
Chief Legal Officer,
Vice President and
Clerk
|
|
Vice President, Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. and
Charles Schwab Investment
Management, Inc.; since
2006, Vice President,
Chief Legal Officer and
Clerk of Laudus Trust and
Laudus Institutional
Trust; Vice President,
Schwab Funds. Since 2009,
Vice President of Schwab
Strategic Trust.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Kern,
1961
(3/05-present)
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Managing Director and
Portfolio Manager, Charles
Schwab Investment
Management, Inc. (formerly
titled, Vice President,
Investment Management
Services.) Until
September 2005, Assistant
Treasurer, Laudus Trust
and Laudus Institutional
Trust. Until December
2004, Vice President,
Internal Audit, Charles
Schwab Corporation.
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address
8
and Year of
|
|
|
|
|
Birth; (Term of Office
9
and
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation During
|
Length of Time Served)
|
|
Position with the Trust
|
|
Past Five Years
|
Michael Haydel,
1972
(6/05-present)
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Vice President, Asset
Management Client
Services, Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc.; Vice President
and AML Officer, Laudus
Trust, Laudus
Institutional Trust and
Schwab Strategic Trust.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
The mailing address of each of the officers is c/o Laudus Trust, 211 Main Street, San
Francisco, CA 94105.
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
There is no stated term of office for the officers of the Trust.
|
Ms. MacGregor and Messrs. Mortimer, Pereira, Kern, and Haydel, each being an employee of
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. or its affiliates, will each benefit indirectly from the
management fees paid by the Trust to Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., but receive no
compensation from the Trust.
Trustee Compensation
Interested Trustees and officers of the Trust do not receive compensation from the Trust. The
Trust and the Laudus Institutional Trust pays each Independent Trustee aggregate compensation of
$55,000 per year. This sum includes a quarterly retainer fee of $8,937 and an additional $4,813 for
each regular meeting attended.
In addition, a retirement plan has been instituted for all of the Independent Trustees of the
Trust and Trustees of the Laudus Institutional Trust (the Retirement Plan). Under the terms of
the Retirement Plan, upon retirement or other termination from service from the Trust and Laudus
Institutional Trust (other than termination for cause), a retiring Independent Trustee who has
served as Independent Trustee for at least five years shall be paid a lump sum cash payment (the
Retirement Payment). The Retirement Payment shall be equal to $10,000 for each year that the
Trustee has served as an Independent Trustee of the Trust and the Laudus Institutional Trust,
including years of service prior to the adoption of the Retirement Plan. However, each Independent
Trustee is permitted to make a one-time election to have the $10,000 attributable to service for
the coming year adjusted up or down at the end of each subsequent year based on the unweighted
average performance of the lowest cost share class of each fund of the Trusts that is in operation
for all of such year. Each Independent Trustee also was given the opportunity to make a one-time
election to have previously accrued benefits fluctuate beginning April 1, 2005 based on performance
of the funds as described in the previous sentence. As a result, the amount of the Retirement
Payment payable to any Independent Trustee may increase or decrease based upon performance of the
funds. The portion of the total Retirement Payment owed to an Independent Trustee upon his or her
retirement that is payable by any fund will be determined based on the relative net assets of the
funds of the Trust in operation on the date of the Independent Trustees retirement.
Effective June 28, 2006, the Retirement Plan terminated with respect to new Participants,
including Independent Trustees of the Trust first elected by shareholder vote on June 26, 2006.
With respect to Participants prior to June 26, 2006 (a Current Participant), the Account Balance
of each Current Participant under the Plan was frozen at the value determined as of September 29,
2006, except that each Account Balance was credited with an amount equal to one-half of the amount
that would be credited to such Account Balance as of the last day of the Plan Year ending March 31,
2007. The terms of the Plan, including without limitation provisions relating to vesting and
payment upon termination of service, remain in full force and effect.
The total compensation accrued and payable to, as well as the benefits accrued under the
Retirement Plan by, the Independent Trustees by the Trust and by the Fund Complex for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2009, is shown in the table below.
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PENSION OR
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPENSATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RETIREMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
FROM
|
|
|
AGGREGATE
|
|
BENEFITS
|
|
ESTIMATED
|
|
REGISTRANT
|
|
|
COMPENSATION
|
|
ACCRUED AS
|
|
ANNUAL
|
|
AND FUND
|
|
|
FROM
|
|
PART OF FUND
|
|
BENEFITS UPON
|
|
COMPLEX
11
PAID
|
NAME OF PERSON
|
|
REGISTRANT
|
|
EXPENSES
10
|
|
RETIREMENT
|
|
TO TRUSTEES
|
|
TRUSTEES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mariann Byerwalter
|
|
$
|
48,976
|
|
|
$
|
16,746
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
289,000
|
|
William A. Hasler
|
|
$
|
48,976
|
|
|
$
|
16,746
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
289,000
|
|
Nils H. Hakansson
|
|
$
|
48,976
|
|
|
$
|
120,049
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
Cumulative.
|
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
As of March 31, 2009, the Fund Complex consisted of 84 funds, which included the 15
operational series of the Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust and 69 operational
series of the Schwab Funds.
|
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
After their initial two year terms, the continuation of the Funds advisory agreements must be
specifically approved at least annually (1) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the
shareholders of the Fund and (2) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to
the investment advisory agreements or interested persons of any party (the Independent
Trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. If the
shareholders of the Fund fail to approve an advisory agreement, CSIM and the Subadviser, as
applicable, may continue to serve under the agreement in the manner and to the extent permitted by
the 1940 Act.
After their initial two year terms, each year, the Board of Trustees will call and hold one or
more meetings to decide whether to renew the advisory agreement between Laudus Trust (the Trust)
and CSIM (the Investment Adviser), and the sub-advisory agreement between CSIM and UBS Global
Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (UBS Global AM or the Subadviser) with respect to the Fund. In
preparation for the meetings, the Board requests and reviews a wide variety of materials provided
by CSIM and UBS Global AM as well as extensive data provided by third parties and the Independent
Trustees receive advice from counsel to the Independent Trustees.
CSIM oversees the advisory services provided to the Fund. Pursuant to separate sub-advisory
agreement, and under the supervision of the Investment Adviser and the Funds Board of Trustees,
UBS Global AM is responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds assets. UBS
Global AM also is responsible for managing their employees who provide services to the Fund.
About CSIM
CSIM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Both CSIM and The Charles
Schwab Corporation are located at 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Principal Executive Officer and Directors Listed below are the directors and principal
executive officer of CSIM. The principal business address of each director and the principal
executive officer, as it relates to their duties at CSIM, is the same as above.
31
|
|
|
NAME
|
|
POSITION
|
Randall W. Merk
|
|
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Charles R. Schwab
|
|
Chairman and Director
|
As disclosed in the Prospectus under the heading Management of the Fund, under a management
contract (the Management Contract) between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and CSIM, subject to
the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust and such policies as the Trustees may determine, CSIM
furnishes office space and equipment, provides certain bookkeeping and clerical services and pays
all salaries, fees and expenses of officers and Trustees of the Trust who are affiliated with CSIM.
In addition, pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between CSIM and UBS Global AM, UBS Global AM
will continuously furnish an investment program for the Fund and will make investment decisions on
behalf of the Fund and place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
The Fund has agreed to pay CSIM a monthly management fee at an annual percentage rate of the
Funds average daily net assets. The table below shows the advisory fee payable to CSIM by the
Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
First $500 million
|
|
|
0.70
|
%
|
$500 million to $1 billion
|
|
|
0.65
|
%
|
$1 to $1.5 billion
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
$1.5 to $2 billion
|
|
|
0.575
|
%
|
Above $2 billion
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
|
CSIM has agreed with the Trust that it will waive some or all of its management fees under the
Management Contract and, if necessary, will bear certain expenses of the Fund until at least July
13, 2011 (unless the waiver is extended, modified or terminated by mutual agreement of the Trust
and CSIM) so that the Funds total annual operating expenses (exclusive of nonrecurring account
fees, fees on securities transactions such as exchange fees, service fees, interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary
course of the Funds business, such as shareholder meeting costs) will not exceed the limit stated
in the Prospectus. The expense limitation also does not cover fees and expenses of pooled
investment vehicles, such as ETFs, REITs and other investment companies that are held by the Fund.
In addition, CSIMs compensation under each Management Contract is subject to reduction to the
extent that in any year the expenses of the Fund (including investment advisory fees but excluding
taxes, portfolio brokerage commissions and any distribution and shareholder service expenses paid
by a class of shares of the Fund pursuant to a distribution and shareholder service plan or
otherwise) exceed the limits on investment company expenses imposed by any statute or regulatory
authority of any jurisdiction in which shares of the Fund are qualified for offer and sale.
The Management Contract provides that CSIM shall not be subject to any liability to the Trust
or to any shareholder of the Trust in connection with the performance of its services thereunder in
the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties thereunder.
The Management Contract automatically terminates on assignment and is terminable on not more
than 60 days notice by the Trust to CSIM or by CSIM to the Trust.
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
CSIM has entered into an agreement on behalf of the Fund with UBS Global AM by which it acts
as subadviser to the Fund (the Subadviser Agreement). Under the Subadviser Agreement, UBS Global
AM, at its expense, continuously furnishes an investment management program for the Fund and makes
investment decisions on behalf of the Fund and places all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities and all other investments, subject to the supervision of CSIM and the
Trustees.
UBS Global AM, with its principal office located at One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois
60606, manages the assets of the Fund. UBS Global AM is an investment management firm managing
approximately $142 billion, as of June 30, 2009, primarily for institutional, pension and profit
sharing funds. UBS Global AM is an indirect, wholly owned
32
subsidiary of UBS AG and a member of the
UBS Global Asset Management Division, which had approximately $547 billion in assets under
management as of June 30, 2009.
Subadvisory Fee
This section describes the subadvisory fee payable by CSIM to UBS Global AM. Please remember,
however, that the following fees described are paid by CSIM to UBS Global AM; they do not affect
how much you pay or the Fund pays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
First $100 million
|
|
|
0.35
|
%
|
Over $100 million to $250 million
|
|
|
0.33
|
%
|
Over $250 million to $500 million
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
Over $500 million to $1 billion
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
Over $1 to $1.5 billion
|
|
|
0.23
|
%
|
Over $1.5 to $2 billion
|
|
|
0.21
|
%
|
Over $2 billion
|
|
|
0.20
|
%
|
|
On July 13, 2009, the Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the UBS Fund pursuant
to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization approved by the UBS Funds shareholders (the
Reorganization). In connection with the Reorganization, UBS Global AM and CSIM have entered into
an agreement regarding UBS Global AMs and CSIMs cooperation in realigning responsibilities for
the assets and shareholders of the Fund (the Agreement). The Agreement commits CSIM to using
commercially reasonable efforts to provide UBS Global AM with the same notice and opportunity to
defend the Subadviser Agreement to the Laudus Trusts Board of Trustees as is given to CSIM with
respect to the Management Contract, and subject to certain conditions, provides that CSIM will pay
compensation to UBS Global AM in the event that UBS Global AM is terminated as investment
subadviser to the Fund during its first two years of operation, provided, however, CSIM will have
no obligation to pay compensation to UBS Global AM in the event UBS Global AM is terminated with
cause by CSIM or the Laudus Trusts Board of Trustees. The amount of compensation owed to UBS
Global AM upon its termination, if any, is based on a formula that takes into account when UBS
Global AM is terminated, the circumstances surrounding the termination, and the amount of
compensation received under the Subadviser Agreement by UBS Global AM in the month prior to the
termination. The Agreement further commits CSIM, subject to its fiduciary duty, to using
commercially reasonable efforts to promote the continuation of UBS Global AM as the sub-adviser of
the Fund. As a result of the Agreement, CSIM will have a material economic interest in avoiding
the termination of UBS Global AM.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Administrative Services. The Trust has entered into a Fund Administration Agreement with State
Street Bank and Trust Company (in such capacity, the Administrator) pursuant to which the
Administrator provides certain management and administrative services necessary for the Funds
operations including: (i) regulatory compliance, including the compilation of information for
documents such as reports to, and filings with, the SEC and state securities commissions, and
preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports for the Fund; (ii) general supervision
relative to the compilation of data required for the preparation of periodic reports distributed to
the Funds officers and Board of Trustees; and (iii) furnishing office space and certain facilities
required for conducting the business of the Fund. For these services, the Administrator is entitled
to receive $1,000 per annum, as well as a fee based on the average daily net assets of the Trust
(the Administrators Asset-Based Fee). In calculating the Administrators Asset Based-Fee payable
by the Trust, the assets of the Trust are aggregated with the average daily net assets of each of
the other portfolios for which CSIM serves as investment adviser and State Street Bank and Trust
Company serves as administrator(1). The Administrators Asset-Based Fee will be calculated as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
|
|
FEE
|
First $100 billion
|
|
0.11 bp
|
Next $60 billion
|
|
0.07 bp
|
Thereafter
|
|
0.05 bp
|
33
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
In addition to the Trust, CSIM currently serves as investment adviser for each of the
portfolios of the Laudus Institutional Trust, Schwab Investments, The Charles Schwab Family of
Funds, Schwab Annuity Portfolios, and Schwab Capital Trust.
|
The Trust also has entered into a Fund Accounting Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust
Company (in such capacity, the Fund Accountant) pursuant to which the Fund Accountant provides
certain accounting services necessary for the Funds operations. For these services, the Fund
Accountant is entitled to receive a base fee of $29,000 per annum for the Fund. The Fund Accountant
is also entitled to a fee based on the average daily net assets of the Trust (the Fund
Accountants Asset-Based Fee). In calculating the Fund Accountants Asset-Based Fee payable by the
Trust, the assets of the Trust are aggregated with the average daily net assets of each of the
portfolios for which CSIM serves as investment adviser and State Street Bank and Trust Company
serves as fund accountant (see footnote 1 above). The Fund Accountants Asset-Based Fee will be
calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
|
|
FEE
|
First $100 billion
|
|
0.25 bp
|
Next $60 billion
|
|
0.18 bp
|
Thereafter
|
|
0.13 bp
|
In addition, the Fund Accountant is entitled to a per security pricing fee based on the
monthly holdings of the Fund equal to $2 for equity securities and $8 for fixed income securities.
Lastly, the Fund Accountant is entitled to a fair valuation fee of $4,000 per annum.
Distributor. As stated in the Prospectus under the heading Management of the Fund
Distributor, shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis by the Trusts distributor, ALPS
Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). The Distributors principal offices are located at 1625
Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado, 80202. Under the contract between the Trust and the
Distributor (the Distributors Contract), the Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific
amount of shares of the Trust and will purchase shares for resale only against orders for shares.
The Distributors Contract may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time on 60 days
written notice without penalty either by the Distributor, by the Fund, or by the Trust and will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
The Distributors Contract will continue in effect for two years and thereafter for successive
one-year periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved (i) by the Trusts
Board of Trustees or (ii) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, provided
that in either event the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees of
the Trust by vote cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
CSIM may pay certain Intermediaries (as defined below) for performing shareholder,
recordkeeping, administrative, transfer agency or other services for their customers. In addition,
CSIM may pay certain Intermediaries for providing distribution, marketing or promotional services.
The payments described by this paragraph are not paid by the Fund or its shareholders and may be
substantial.
Shares of the Fund may be sold to corporations or other institutions such as trusts,
foundations, broker-dealers or other intermediaries purchasing for the accounts of others
(collectively, Intermediaries). Investors purchasing and redeeming shares of the Fund through an
Intermediary may be charged a transaction-based fee or other fee for the services provided by the
Intermediary. Each such Intermediary is responsible for transmitting to its customers a schedule of
any such fees and information regarding any additional or different conditions with respect to
purchases and redemptions of Fund shares. Customers of Intermediaries should read this SAI in light
of the terms governing accounts with their particular organization.
Custodial Arrangements. The Trusts custodian is State Street Bank and Trust Company (in such
capacity, the Custodian), One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. As such, the Custodian holds in
safekeeping certificated securities and cash belonging to the Trust and, in such capacity, is the
registered owner of securities in book-entry form belonging to the Fund. Upon instruction, the
Custodian receives and delivers cash and securities of the Fund in connection with Fund
transactions and collects all dividends and other distributions made with respect to fund portfolio
securities.
34
Transfer Agent. Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., located at Two Heritage Drive Quincy,
MA 02171, provides transfer agency and dividend disbursing agent services for the Fund. As part of
these services, the firm maintains records
pertaining to the sale, redemption and transfer of the Funds shares and distributes the
Funds cash distributions to shareholders.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Trusts independent registered public accounting
firm is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111. The firm
conducts an annual audit of the financial statements, assists in the preparation of the Trusts
federal and state income tax returns and filings with the SEC, and consults with the Trust as to
matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation. The audited financial statements of
the UBS Fund for the UBS Funds fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, including notes thereto and the
report of Ernst & Young LLP, the UBS Funds independent registered public accounting firm, thereon
are herein incorporated by reference from the UBS Funds June 30, 2009 Annual Report. A copy of
the UBS Funds June 30, 2009 Annual Report must accompany the delivery of this SAI.
Codes of Ethics. Each of the Trust (on behalf of the Fund), CSIM, UBS Global AM and the
Distributor (as the Funds principal underwriter) have adopted codes of ethics pursuant to Rule
17j-1 of the 1940 Act. Each permits personnel subject thereto to invest in securities subject to
certain conditions or restrictions. CSIMs Code of Ethics permits personnel to buy or sell,
directly or indirectly, securities for their own accounts. This includes securities that may be
purchased or held by the funds CSIM manages. Securities transactions by some of these individuals
are subject to prior approval of CSIMs Chief Compliance Officer or designee and are subject to
certain restrictions. Covered securities transactions are subject to quarterly and annual reporting
and review requirements. UBS Global AMs Code of Ethics permits personnel to buy or sell securities
for their own accounts and accounts for which they are the beneficial owner so long as the
investment does not lead to an actual or potential conflict of interest. This includes securities
that may be purchased or held by the funds UBS Global AM advises or subadvises. Securities
transactions may be subject to prior approval of UBS Global AMs Chief Compliance Officer or his or
her alternate. Most securities transactions are subject to quarterly reporting and review
requirements. The Distributors Code of Ethics permits personnel subject thereto to invest in
securities, including securities that the Fund may purchase or hold, so long as the individual, in
the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her duties, does not have knowledge of a pending buy or
sell order by the Fund. In such cases where such knowledge may exist, the individual is prohibited
from engaging in such transactions while the buy or sell order is pending.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
UBS Global AM acts as subadviser to the Fund. Presented below is information about the portfolio
managers of the Fund as identified in the Funds Prospectus.
Other Accounts. The following table provides information relating to other accounts managed
by the portfolio managers as of June 30, 2009. The accounts listed below are not subject to a
performance-based advisory fee.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment
|
|
Other Pooled Investment
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|
Other Accounts
|
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|
Companies
|
|
Vehicles
|
|
(separate accounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Assets (in
|
|
Number of
|
|
Assets (in
|
|
Number of
|
|
Assets (in
|
Name
|
|
accounts
|
|
millions)
|
|
accounts
|
|
millions)
|
|
accounts
|
|
millions)
|
Lawrence Kemp
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,774
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
$
|
2,451
|
|
Philip Ruvinsky
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,255
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
1,774
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
$
|
2,449
|
|
|
Conflicts of Interest. The portfolio managers management of the Fund and other accounts
could result in potential conflicts of interest if the Fund and other accounts have different
objectives, benchmarks and fees because the portfolio management team must allocate its time and
investment expertise across multiple accounts, including the Fund. The portfolio managers manage
the Fund and other accounts utilizing a model portfolio approach that groups similar accounts
within a model portfolio. UBS Global AM manages accounts according to the appropriate model
portfolio, including where possible, those accounts that have specific investment restrictions.
Accordingly, portfolio holdings, position sizes
35
and industry and sector exposures tend to be
similar across accounts, which may minimize the potential for conflicts of interest.
If the portfolio managers identify a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for
more than one account or model portfolio, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that
opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible model
portfolios and accounts. To deal with these situations, UBS Global AM has adopted procedures for
allocating portfolio trades across multiple accounts to provide fair treatment to all accounts.
The management of personal accounts by a portfolio manager may also give rise to potential
conflicts of interest. UBS Global AM has adopted a Code of Ethics that governs such personal
trading but there is no assurance that the Code of Ethics will adequately address all such
conflicts.
Compensation. UBS Global Asset Managements compensation and benefits programs are designed to
provide its investment professionals with incentives to excel, and to promote an entrepreneurial,
performance-oriented culture. The total compensation received by the portfolio managers and
analysts at UBS Global Asset Management, including the Funds portfolio managers, has three basic
components a fixed component (base salary and benefits), a variable cash compensation component
(which is correlated with performance) and, for more senior employees, a variable equity component
(reinforcing the critical importance of creating long-term business value), which are described in
more detail below:
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|
|
The fixed component (base salary and benefits) is set to be
competitive in the industry and is monitored and adjusted
periodically with reference to the labor market in order to remain
so. The fixed component is used to recognize the experience,
skills and knowledge that portfolio managers and analysts bring to
their role.
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|
|
|
|
|
Variable cash compensation is determined annually on a
discretionary basis. It is correlated with the individuals
contribution (financial and non-financial) to UBS Global Asset
Managements business results and the performance of the
individuals respective function, UBS Global Asset Management and
UBS. As its name implies, this can be variable.
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|
|
|
|
|
Variable equity Many senior employees are required to take a
portion of their annual variable cash compensation in the form of
UBS shares or notional shares instead of cash. UBS Global Asset
Management believes that, not only does this reinforce the
critical importance of creating long-term business value, it also
serves as an effective retention tool because the shares typically
vest over a number of years.
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|
UBS Global Asset Management strongly believes that tying portfolio managers variable cash
compensation to both the short-term and longer-term performance of their portfolios closely aligns
the portfolio managers interests with those of the firms clients. The total variable cash
compensation available generally will depend on the firms overall profitability. The allocation of
the variable cash compensation pool to each portfolio manager is based on an equal weighting of
their investment performance (relative to the Funds benchmarks) for all the funds they manage. In
the case of the Fund, the relevant benchmark is the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The portfolio
managers investment performance over one-, two- and three-year periods to the latest year end is
taken into account and this has the effect of placing greater emphasis on the performance for the
most recent year (as their one-year performance impacts their two- and three-year annualized
results) while keeping the longer-term performance in focus. In Global Investment Solutions (GIS),
a similar method is applied but over a five-year timescale. Further, the delivery of variable cash
compensation is subject to a number of deferral mechanisms including investment in UBS shares.
For analysts, variable cash compensation is, in general, tied to the performance of some
combination of model and/or client portfolios, generally evaluated over rolling three-year periods
and coupled with a qualitative assessment of their contribution.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of June 30, 2009, the following portfolio managers beneficially owned
shares of the Fund as follows.
36
|
|
|
|
Lawrence Kemp
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|
$100,001 $500,000
|
Philip Ruvinsky
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None
|
|
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
UBS Global AM is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund and for the
placement of the Funds portfolio business and the negotiation of commissions, if any, paid on such
transactions. Fixed income securities in which the Fund invests are traded in the over-the-counter
market. These securities are generally traded on a net basis with dealers acting as principal for
their own accounts without a stated commission, although the bid/ask spread quoted on securities
includes an implicit profit to the dealers. In over-the-counter transactions, orders are placed
directly with a principal market-maker unless a better price and execution can be obtained by using
a broker. Brokerage commissions are paid on transactions in listed securities, futures contracts
and options thereon. UBS Global AM is responsible for effecting portfolio transactions and will do
so in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to the Fund. Upon approval of CSIM, UBS Global AM may be
authorized to utilize the trading desk of its affiliates to execute securities transactions in
accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
The primary consideration in all portfolio transactions will be prompt execution of orders in
an efficient manner at the most favorable price. However, subject to policies established by the
Board of the Trust, the Fund may pay a broker-dealer a commission for effecting a portfolio
transaction for the Fund in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would have
charged if UBS Global AM determines in good faith that the commission paid was reasonable in
relation to the brokerage or research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in terms of
that particular transaction or such firms overall responsibilities with respect to the clients,
including the Fund, as to which UBS Global AM exercises investment discretion. In selecting and
monitoring broker-dealers and negotiating commissions, UBS Global AM considers the firms
reliability, the quality of its execution services on a continuing basis and its financial
condition. When more than one firm is believed to meet these criteria, preference may be given to
brokers who provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or UBS Global
AM. Such services include advice, both directly and in writing, as to the value of the securities;
the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities; and the availability of
securities, or purchasers or sellers of securities, as well as analyses and reports concerning
issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance
of accounts. This allows UBS Global AM to supplement its own investment research activities and
obtain the views and information of others prior to making investment decisions. UBS Global AM is
of the opinion that, because this material must be analyzed and reviewed by its staff, the receipt
and use of such material does not tend to reduce expenses but may benefit the Fund by supplementing
UBS Global AMs research.
UBS Global AM effects portfolio transactions for other investment companies and advisory
accounts. Research services furnished by dealers through whom the Fund effects its securities
transactions may be used by UBS Global AM, or its affiliated investment advisors, in servicing all
of their accounts; not all such services may be used in connection with the Fund. In the opinion of
UBS Global AM, it is not possible to measure separately the benefits from research services to each
of the accounts (including the Fund). UBS Global AM will attempt to equitably allocate portfolio
transactions among the Fund and others whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell
securities by the Fund and another. In making such allocations between the Fund and others, the
main factors to be considered are the respective investment objectives, the relative size of
portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment,
the size of investment commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for
recommending investments to the Fund and the others. In some cases, this procedure could have an
adverse effect on the Fund. In the opinion of UBS Global AM, however, the results of such
procedures will, on the whole, be in the best interest of each of the clients.
When buying or selling securities, the Fund may pay commissions to brokers who are affiliated with
UBS Global AM or the Fund in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The Fund may purchase
securities in certain underwritten offerings for which an affiliate of the Fund or UBS Global AM
may act as an underwriter in accordance with procedures
37
adopted by the Board. The Fund may effect
futures transactions through, and pay commissions to, futures commissions merchants who are
affiliated with UBS Global AM or the Fund in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
The Trust is an open-end series investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust. A copy of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust
(the Declaration of Trust), is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The fiscal year of the Trust ends on March 31. The Trust changed its name to Barr Rosenberg Series
Trust from Rosenberg Series Trust on August 5, 1996. Effective March 30, 2004, the Trust changed
its name to the Laudus Trust.
Interests in the Trusts portfolios are currently represented by shares of 13 series, the
Laudus Rosenberg U.S. Small Capitalization Fund, Laudus Rosenberg U.S. Discovery Fund, Laudus
Rosenberg U.S. Large Capitalization Value Fund, Laudus Rosenberg International Equity Fund, Laudus
Rosenberg International Small Capitalization Fund, Laudus Rosenberg International Discovery Fund,
Laudus Mondrian Emerging Markets Fund, Laudus Mondrian International Fixed Income Fund, Laudus
Mondrian International Equity Fund, Laudus Mondrian Global Equity Fund and Laudus Growth Investors
U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund, issued pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. The rights of shareholders
and powers of the Trustees of the Trust with respect to such shares are described in their
respective Prospectuses.
The Fund has one class of shares. On July 13, 2009, the Fund acquired all of the assets and
liabilities of the UBS Fund pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization approved by the UBS
Funds shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual existence of the Trust. The Trust may,
however, be terminated at any time by vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each
series of the Trust or by the vote of the Trustees.
VOTING RIGHTS
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held (with fractional votes for
fractional shares held) and will vote (to the extent provided in the Declaration of Trust) in the
election of Trustees and the termination of the Trust and on other matters submitted to the vote of
shareholders. Shareholders will vote by individual series on all matters except (i) when required
by the 1940 Act, shares shall be voted in the aggregate and not by individual series and (ii) when
the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more series, then
only shareholders of such series shall be entitled to vote thereon. Shareholders of one series
shall not be entitled to vote on matters exclusively affecting another series, such matters
including, without limitation, the adoption of or change in any fundamental policies or
restrictions of the other series and the approval of the investment advisory contracts of the other
series.
Each class of shares of each Fund has identical voting rights except that each class has
exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class,
and has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of
one class differ from the interests of any other class. Each class of shares has exclusive voting
rights with respect to matters pertaining to any distribution and shareholder service plan
applicable to that class. All classes of shares of a Fund will vote together, except with respect
to any distribution and shareholder service plan applicable to a class or when a class vote is
required as specified above or otherwise by the 1940 Act.
There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees,
except that in accordance with the 1940 Act (i) the Trust will hold a shareholders meeting for the
election of Trustees at such time as less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by shareholders, and (ii) if, as a result of a vacancy in the Board of Trustees, less than
two-thirds of the Independent Trustees holding office have been elected by the shareholders, that
vacancy may only be filled by a vote of the shareholders. In addition, Trustees may be removed from
office by a written consent signed by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares and filed
with the Trusts custodian or by a vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares at a
meeting duly called for the purpose, which meeting shall be held upon the written request of the
holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares. Upon written request by the holders
38
of at
least 1% of the outstanding shares stating that such shareholders wish to communicate with the
other shareholders for the purpose of obtaining the signatures necessary to demand a meeting to
consider removal of a Trustee, the Trust has undertaken to provide a list of shareholders or to
disseminate appropriate materials (at the expense of the requesting
shareholders). Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may
appoint successor Trustees. Voting rights are not cumulative.
No amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust except (i) to change the Trusts name or to cure
technical problems in the Declaration of Trust and (ii) to establish, liquidate, designate or
modify new and existing series, sub-series or classes of shares of any series of Trust shares or
other provisions relating to Trust shares in response to applicable laws or regulations. Trustees
may, without approval of the relevant shareholders, combine, reorganize or merge one or more series
or classes of the Trust into a single series or class on such terms and conditions as the Trustees
shall determine.
Shareholders wishing to submit proposals for inclusion in a proxy statement for a future
shareholder meeting should send their written submissions to the Trust at P. O. Box 8032, Boston,
Massachusetts 02266. Proposals must be received a reasonable time in advance of a proxy
solicitation to be included. Submission of a proposal does not guarantee inclusion in a proxy
statement because proposals must comply with certain federal securities regulations.
PROXY VOTING
The Trusts proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix B to this Statement of Additional
Information. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies related to portfolio securities
during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available, without charge, on the
Funds website at www.laudus.com. It is also available in the Funds Form N-PX which can be
obtained on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The proxy voting record of the predecessor UBS fund
is available on the UBS Funds website.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally
liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder
liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given
in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of all the property of the relevant
series for all loss and expense of any shareholder of that series held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is considered remote since it is limited to circumstances in which the
disclaimer is inoperative and the series of which he is or was a shareholder would be unable to
meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a
Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee 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 office. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification by the Trust of
the Trustees and the officers of the Trust against liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust,
except if it is determined in the manner specified in the Declaration of Trust that such Trustees
are liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.
OWNERS OF 5% OR MORE OF THE FUNDS SHARES
As of September 30, 2009, the officers and trustees of the Trust, as a group, owned of record,
directly or beneficially less than 1% of any class of outstanding equity securities of the Fund.
39
As of September 30, 2009, the following persons or entities owned, of record or beneficially,
more than 5% of the outstanding equity securities of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAME AND ADDRESS
|
|
PERCENT OWNED
|
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
|
|
|
37.58
|
%
|
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4151
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LPL FINANCIAL
|
|
|
17.34
|
%
|
9785 TOWNE CENTRE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-1968
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE
|
|
|
5.52
|
%
|
FBO UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES 401K PL
PO BOX 92994
CHICAGO IL 60675-0001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC CUST
|
|
|
9.32
|
%
|
MACON FIRE AND POLICE
DEFINED BENEFIT
PO BOX 247
MACON GA 31202-0247
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAME AND ADDRESS
|
|
PERCENTAGE
|
SCHWAB TARGET 2030 FUND
|
|
|
10.74
|
%
|
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT EQUITY
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCHWAB TARGET 2040
|
|
|
9.61
|
%
|
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCHWAB TARGET 2020
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT EQUITY
|
|
|
8.81
|
%
|
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES INFORMATION
Information regarding the availability of the Funds portfolio securities can be obtained by
calling 1.800.447.3332.
40
The disclosure of portfolio securities information to shareholders and other parties, prior to
regular public filings, may be authorized only by the Trusts President upon prior consultation
with the Funds Subadviser and the Funds Chief
Legal Officer. Prior to authorizing the disclosure of portfolio securities, the Trusts
President must determine that: (i) such disclosure is in the best interests of the Funds
shareholders; and (ii) that no conflict exists between the interests of the Funds shareholders and
those of the Funds Adviser, Subadviser or principal underwriter.
Portfolio securities information also may be made available on a selective basis to service
providers, ratings agencies, consultants and other qualified financial professionals when the
President upon prior consultation with the Funds Subadviser and the Funds Chief Legal Officer,
determines such disclosure meets the requirements for non-selective disclosure and serves a
legitimate business purpose. Agreements entered into with a service provider to whom the Fund
selectively discloses portfolio securities information will generally include the confidentiality
provisions customary in such agreements. Although certain of the service providers are not under
formal confidentiality obligations in connection with disclosure of portfolio securities
information, the Fund would not continue to conduct business with a person who the Fund believes
was misusing the disclosed information. Any third-party who is not a service provider to the Fund
to whom the Fund selectively discloses portfolio securities information will, prior to that
disclosure, be required to sign an agreement describing the permitted use of portfolio securities
information and providing that: (i) the portfolio securities information will be kept confidential;
(ii) the person will not trade on the basis of any material non-public information; and (iii) the
information will be used only for the purpose described in the agreement. As part of its ongoing
review of fund operations, the Board of Trustees will periodically review any agreements that the
Trust has entered into to selectively disclose portfolio securities information.
The Funds service providers, including, without limitation, the Adviser, Subadviser,
distributor, transfer agent, auditor, proxy voting service provider, pricing information vendors,
publisher, printer and mailing agent may receive early disclosure of portfolio securities
information as frequently as daily in connection with the services they perform for the Fund. The
names of those persons to whom the Fund selectively discloses portfolio securities information will
be disclosed in this Statement of Additional Information. CSIM, UBS Global AM, ISS Governance
Services (a division of RiskMetrics Group) and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as service
providers to the Fund, are currently receiving this information on a daily basis. RR Donnelley, as
a service provider to the Fund, is currently receiving this information on a quarterly basis.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, ALPS and Glass Lewis, as service providers to the Fund, receive this
information on an as-needed basis. Service providers will be subject to a duty of confidentiality
with respect to any portfolio securities information whether imposed by the provisions of the
service providers contract with the Trust or by the nature of the service providers relationship
with the Trust. In accordance with the exemptive order issued by the SEC to iShares and procedures
approved by the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Trust will promptly notify iShares Funds in writing
of any purchase or acquisition of shares of an iShares Fund that causes the Fund to hold (i) 5% or
more of such iShares Funds total outstanding voting securities, and (ii) 10% or more of such
iShares Funds total outstanding voting securities. In addition, the adviser or Subadviser will,
upon causing the Fund to acquire more than 3% of an open-end iShares Funds outstanding shares,
notify the open-end iShares Fund of the investment.
A complete list of the Funds portfolio holdings is published on the Laudus website at
www.laudus.com, under Analysis & Commentary, typically 30-40 days after the end of the Funds
fiscal quarter (which is also a calendar quarter-end). The portfolio holdings information available
on the Funds website is the same that is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form
N-Q or Form N-CSR. The Fund provides on the website quarterly information regarding certain
attributes of the Funds portfolio, such as the Funds top ten holdings, sector weightings,
composition, credit quality and duration and maturity, as applicable. This information is generally
updated within 20-30 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. The information on the website is
publicly available to all categories of persons.
The funds top ten holdings list is posted on Schwab.com monthly, typically with a 10-day lag.
In addition to the top ten holdings information, the Fund also provides monthly information
regarding certain attributes of the Funds portfolio, such as sector weightings, composition,
credit quality, duration and maturity, as applicable. This information is available publically to
all persons under Research & Strategies on Schwab.com.
41
The Fund may disclose non-material information including commentary and aggregate information
about the characteristics of the Fund in connection with or relating to the Fund or its portfolio
securities to any person if such
disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose, such disclosure does not effectively result
in the disclosure of the complete portfolio securities of the Fund (which can only be disclosed in
accordance with the above requirements), and such information does not constitute material
non-public information. Such disclosure does not fall within the portfolio securities disclosure
requirements outlined above.
Whether the information constitutes material non-public information will be made on a good
faith determination, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. In
most cases commentary or analysis would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to a
recipient in making a decision concerning the Fund. Commentary and analysis includes, but is not
limited to, the allocation of the Funds portfolio securities and other investments among various
asset classes, sectors, industries, and countries, the characteristics of the stock components and
other investments of the Fund, the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry and
country, and the volatility characteristics of the Fund.
Neither the Fund nor the Funds Adviser or Subadviser may receive compensation or other
consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
Each business day, the Fund calculates its share price, or NAV, as of the close of the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This means that NAVs are calculated using the values of the Funds
portfolio securities as of the close of the NYSE. Such values are required to be determined in one
of two ways: securities for which market quotations are readily available are required to be valued
at current market value; and securities for which market quotations are not readily available or
the adviser deems them to be unreliable are required to be valued at fair value using procedures
approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund uses approved pricing services to provide values for
its portfolio securities. Current market values are generally determined by the approved pricing
services as follows: securities traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last-quoted sales price
on the exchange on which such securities are primarily traded (closing values), or, lacking any
sales, at the mean between the bid and ask prices; securities traded in the over-the-counter market
are valued at the last sales price that day, or, if there are no sales that day, at the mean
between the bid and ask prices. In addition, securities that are primarily traded on foreign
exchanges are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their
respective exchanges with these values then translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange
rate. Fixed income securities normally are valued based on valuations provided by approved pricing
services. Securities may be fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the Funds Board of
Trustees when approved pricing services do not provide a value for a security, a furnished price
appears manifestly incorrect or events occur prior to the close of the NYSE that materially affect
the furnished price. The Board of Trustees regularly reviews fair value determinations made by the
Fund pursuant to the procedures.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The procedures for purchasing shares of Fund and for determining the offering price of such
shares are described in the Prospectus. The Trust has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under
the 1940 Act pursuant to which the Trust is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash for any
shareholder during any 90-day period up to the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) 1% of the total net
asset value of the Trust at the beginning of such period. The procedures for redeeming shares of
the Fund are described in the Prospectus.
As described in the Prospectus, the Trust reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to
reject purchase orders for shares of the Fund. As a general matter, the Trust expects that it will
not accept purchase orders when the purchase price is to be paid by cash (in the form of actual
currency), third party checks, checks payable in foreign currency, credit card convenience checks
or travelers checks.
42
The Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept on their behalf purchase and redemption
orders. Such brokers have also been authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase
and redemption orders on the Funds
behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an
authorized broker or, if applicable, a brokers authorized designee, receives such order. Such
orders will be priced at the Funds net asset value per share next determined after such orders are
received by an authorized broker or the brokers authorized designee.
43
APPENDIX A RATINGS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES
From time to time, the fund may report the percentage of its assets that fall into the rating
categories set forth below.
BONDS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE
Aaa Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree
of investment risk and are generally referred to as gilt edged. Interest payments are protected
by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to
impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the
Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the
best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risk appear somewhat larger than the Aaa securities.
A Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as
upper-medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered
adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the
future.
Baa Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade obligations (i.e., they are neither
highly protected nor poorly secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for
the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable
over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact
have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be
considered as well-assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very
moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long
period of time may be small.
STANDARD & POORS CORPORATION
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is extremely strong.
AA Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from
the highest rated debt only in small degree.
A Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, although it is somewhat
more susceptible to adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt
in higher-rated categories.
BBB Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions
or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay
principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
A-1
SPECULATIVE GRADE
Debt rated BB and B is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. While such debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk
exposures to adverse conditions.
BB Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative grade debt.
However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions that could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal
payments. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is
assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B Debt rate B has greater vulnerability to default but presently has the capacity to meet
interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions
would likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating
category also is used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
BB or BB- rating.
FITCH, INC.
INVESTMENT GRADE BOND
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AAA
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Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest
credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong
ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely
to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
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AA
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Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high
credit quality. The obligors ability to pay interest and
repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong
as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds rated in the AAA and
AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable future developments, short term debt of these
issuers is generally rated F1+.
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A
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Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit
quality. The obligors ability to pay interest and repay
principal is considered to be strong, but may be more
vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
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BBB
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Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory
credit quality. The obligors ability to pay interest and
repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes
in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more
likely to have adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore
impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of
these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than
for bonds with higher ratings.
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SPECULATIVE GRADE BOND
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BB
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Bonds are considered speculative. The obligors ability to pay
interest and repay principal may be affected over time by
adverse economic changes. However, business and financial
alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor
in satisfying its debt service requirements.
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B
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Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this
class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the
probability of continued timely payment of principal and
interest reflects the obligors limited margin of safety and
the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
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DOMINION BOND RATING SERVICE
Bond and Long Term Debt Rating Scale
As is the case with all DBRS rating scales, long term debt ratings are meant to give an indication
of the risk that the borrower will not fulfill its full obligations in a timely manner with respect
to both interest and principal commitments. DBRS ratings do not take factors such as pricing or
market risk into consideration and are expected to be used by
A-2
purchasers as one part of their investment process. Every DBRS rating is based on quantitative and
qualitative considerations that are relevant for the borrowing entity.
AAA: Highest Credit Quality
AA: Superior Credit Quality
A: Satisfactory Credit Quality
BBB: Adequate Credit Quality
BB: Speculative
B: Highly Speculative
CCC: Very Highly Speculative
CC: Very Highly Speculative
C: Very Highly Speculative
AAA Bonds rated AAA are 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 tough definition
which DBRS has established for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.
AA Bonds rated AA are of superior credit quality, and protection of interest and principal is
considered high. In many cases, they differ from bonds rated AAA only to a small degree. Given the
extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the AAA category (which few companies are able to
achieve), entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits which typically exemplify
above-average strength in key areas of consideration and are unlikely to be significantly affected
by reasonably foreseeable events.
A Bonds rated A are of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is
still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than with AA rated entities. While a
respectable rating, entities in the A category are considered to be more susceptible to adverse
economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher rated companies.
BBB Bonds rated BBB are of adequate credit quality. Protection of interest and principal is
considered adequate, but the entity is more susceptible to adverse changes in financial and
economic conditions, or there may be other adversities present which reduce the strength of the
entity and its rated securities.
BB Bonds rated BB are defined to be speculative, where the degree of protection afforded
interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods of economic recession. Entities in
the BB area typically have limited access to capital markets and additional liquidity support and,
in many cases, small size or lack of competitive strength may be additional negative
considerations.
B Bonds rated B are highly speculative and there is a reasonably high level of uncertainty
which exists 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 / C Bonds rated in any of these categories are very highly speculative and are in
danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements present is more severe
than bonds rated B. Bonds rated below B often have characteristics which, if not remedied, may
lead to default. In practice, there is little difference between the C to CCC categories, with
CC and C normally used to lower ranking debt of companies where the senior debt is rated in the
CCC to B range.
D This category indicates Bonds in default of either interest or principal.
A-3
(HIGH, LOW) grades are used to indicate the relative standing of a credit within a particular
rating category. The lack of one of these designations indicates a rating which is essentially in
the middle of the category. Note that high and low grades are not used for the AAA category.
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM DEBT RATING SCALE
Dominion Bond Rating Service
As is the case with all DBRS rating scales, commercial paper ratings are meant to give an
indication of the risk that the borrower will not fulfill its obligations in a timely manner. DBRS
ratings do not take factors such as pricing or market risk into consideration and are expected to
be used by purchasers as one part of their investment process. Every DBRS rating is based on
quantitative and qualitative considerations which are relevant for the borrowing entity.
R-1: Prime Credit Quality
R-2: Adequate Credit Quality
R-3: Speculative
All three DBRS rating categories for short term debt use high, middle or low as subset grades
to designate the relative standing of the credit within a particular rating category. The following
comments provide separate definitions for the three grades in the Prime Credit Quality area, as
this is where ratings for active borrowers in Canada continue to be heavily concentrated.
R-1 (HIGH) Short term debt rated R-1 (high) is of the highest credit quality, and indicates an
entity which possesses 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 which 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 which 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 to only a small degree. Given the
extremely tough definition which DBRS has for the R-1 (high) category (which few companies are
able to achieve), entities rated R-1 (middle) are also considered strong credits which typically
exemplify above average strength in key areas of consideration for debt protection.
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 is not normally as favorable
as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any qualifying
negative factors which exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of sufficient
size to have some influence in its industry.
R-2 (HIGH), R-2 (MIDDLE), R-2 (LOW) Short term debt rated R-2 is of adequate credit quality
and within the three subset grades, debt protection ranges from having reasonable ability for
timely repayment to a level which is considered only just adequate. The liquidity and debt ratios
of entities in the R-2 classification are not as strong as those in the R-1 category, and the
past and future trend may suggest some risk of maintaining the strength of key ratios in these
areas. Alternative sources of liquidity support are considered satisfactory; however, even the
strongest liquidity support will not improve the commercial paper rating of the issuer. The size of
the entity may restrict its flexibility, and its relative position in the industry is not typically
as strong as an R-1 credit. Profitability trends, past and future, may be less favorable,
earnings not as stable, and there are often negative qualifying factors present which could also
make the entity more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
A-4
R-3 (HIGH), R-3 (MIDDLE), R-3 (LOW) Short term debt rated R-3 is speculative, and within
the three subset grades, the capacity for timely payment ranges from mildly speculative to
doubtful. R-3 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-3 ratings would normally
have very limited access to alternative sources of liquidity. Earnings 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.
SHORT TERM NOTES AND VARIABLE RATE DEMAND OBLIGATIONS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE
Short term notes/variable rate demand obligations bearing the designations MIG-1/VMIG-1 are
considered to be of the best quality, enjoying strong protection from established cash flows,
superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
Obligations rated MIG-2/VMIG-3 are of high quality and enjoy ample margins of protection although
not as large as those of the top rated securities.
STANDARD & POORS CORPORATION
An S&P SP-1 rating indicates that the subject securities issuer has a strong capacity to pay
principal and interest. Issues determined to possess very strong safety characteristics are given a
plus (+) designation. S&Ps determination that an issuer has a satisfactory capacity to pay
principal and interest is denoted by an SP-2 rating.
FITCH, INC.
Obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely repayment are rated F1+. An F1 rating
indicates that the obligation is supported by a very strong capacity for timely repayment.
Obligations rated F2 are supported by a good capacity for timely repayment, although adverse
changes in business, economic, or financial conditions may affect this capacity.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE
Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moodys. Issuers (or related supporting
institutions) of commercial paper with this rating are considered to have a superior ability to
repay short term promissory obligations. Issuers (or related supporting institutions) of securities
rated Prime-2 are viewed as having a strong capacity to repay short term promissory obligations.
This capacity will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics of issuers whose commercial
paper is rated Prime-1 but to a lesser degree.
STANDARD & POORS CORPORATION
A Standard & Poors Corporation (S&P) A-1 commercial paper rating indicates a strong degree of
safety regarding timely payment of principal and interest. Issues determined to possess
overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted A-1+. Capacity for timely payment on commercial
paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues
designated A-1.
A-5
FITCH, INC.
F1+ is the highest category, and indicates the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.
Issues rated F1 reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less than issues rated F1+.
Issues assigned an F2 rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the
margin of safety is not as great as for issues in the first two rating categories.
A-6
Appendix B
APPENDIX B DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
The Charles Schwab Family of Funds
Schwab Investments
Schwab Capital Trust
Schwab Annuity Portfolios
Laudus Trust
Laudus Institutional Trust
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
As of March 2009
Charles Schwab Investment Management (CSIM), as an investment adviser, is generally responsible
for voting proxies with respect to the securities held in accounts of investment companies and
other clients for which it provides discretionary investment management services. CSIMs Proxy
Committee exercises and documents CSIMs responsibility with regard to voting of client proxies
(the Proxy Committee). The Proxy Committee is composed of representatives of CSIMs Fund
Administration, Legal, and Portfolio Management Departments, and chaired by CSIMs Vice
President-Portfolio Operations & Analytics. The Proxy Committee reviews and, as necessary, may
amend periodically these Procedures to address new or revised proxy voting policies or procedures.
The policies stated in these Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the CSIM Proxy Procedures)
pertain to all of CSIMs clients.
The Boards of Trustees (the Trustees) of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments,
Schwab Capital Trust, and Schwab Annuity Portfolios (collectively, the Funds or Schwab Funds)
have delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM through their respective Investment
Advisory and Administration Agreements. In addition, the Boards of Trustees (the Trustees) of
Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust (collectively, the Funds or Laudus Funds) have
delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to CSIM through their respective Investment
Advisory and Administration Agreements. The Trustees have adopted these Proxy Procedures with
respect to proxies voted on behalf of the various Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds portfolios. CSIM
will present amendments to the Trustees for approval. However, there may be circumstances where
the Proxy Committee deems it advisable to amend the Proxy Procedures between regular Schwab Funds
and Laudus Funds Board meetings. In such cases, the Trustees will be asked to ratify any changes at
the next regular meeting of the Board.
To assist CSIM in its responsibility for voting proxies and the overall proxy voting process, CSIM
has retained Institutional Shareholder Services, acquired by RiskMetrics Group (RMG), as an
expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. The services provided by RMG include
in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations as well as vote execution,
reporting and record keeping. CSIM has also retained Glass Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), as an
additional expert in proxy voting, to assist CSIM in voting proxies of limited partnerships. Glass
Lewis is an independent provider of global proxy research and voting recommendations.
Proxy Voting Policy
For investment companies and other clients for which CSIM exercises its responsibility for voting
proxies, it is CSIMs policy to vote proxies in the manner that CSIM and the Proxy
Committee determine will maximize the economic benefit to CSIMs clients. In furtherance of this
policy, the Proxy Committee has received and reviewed RMGs written proxy voting policies and
procedures (RMGs Proxy Procedures) and has determined that RMGs Proxy Procedures, with the
exception noted below,
Appendix B
are consistent with the CSIM Proxy Procedures and CSIMs fiduciary duty with respect to its
clients. The Proxy Committee will review any material amendments to RMGs Proxy Procedures to
determine whether such procedures continue to be consistent with the CSIM Proxy Voting Procedures,
and CSIMs fiduciary duty with respect to its clients.
Except under each of the circumstances described below, the Proxy Committee will delegate to RMG
responsibility for voting proxies, including timely submission of votes, on behalf of CSIMs
clients in accordance with RMGs Proxy Procedures.
RMGs Proxy Procedures are not intended to cover proxies of limited partnerships (LP
Proxies), and accordingly RMG does not provide analysis or voting recommendations for LP Proxies.
To assist in its responsibility for voting LP Proxies, the Proxy Committee has received and
reviewed Glass Lewiss written proxy policy guidelines (Glass Lewiss Proxy Procedures) and has
determined that Glass Lewiss Proxy Procedures are consistent with CSIM Proxy Procedures and CSIMs
fiduciary duty with respect to its clients. The Proxy Committee will review any material
amendments to Glass Lewiss Proxy Procedures to determine whether such procedures continue to be
consistent with the CSIM Proxy Voting Procedures, and CSIMs fiduciary duty with respect to its
clients. In general, the Proxy Committee or its designee will instruct RMG to vote an LP Proxy
consistent with the recommendation provided by Glass Lewis in accordance with Glass Lewiss Proxy
Procedures.
For proxy issues, including LP Proxy issues, that are determined by the Proxy Committee or the
applicable portfolio manager or other relevant portfolio management staff to raise significant
concerns with respect to the accounts of CSIM clients, the Proxy Committee will review the analysis
and recommendation of RMG or Glass Lewis, as applicable. Examples of factors that could cause a
matter to raise significant concerns include, but are not limited to: issues whose outcome has the
potential to materially affect the companys industry, or regional or national economy, and matters
which involve broad public policy developments which may similarly materially affect the
environment in which the company operates. The Proxy Committee also will solicit input from the
assigned portfolio manager and other relevant portfolio management staff for the particular
portfolio security. After evaluating all such recommendations, the Proxy Committee will decide how
to vote the shares and will instruct RMG to vote consistent with its decision. The Proxy Committee
has the ultimate responsibility for making the determination of how to vote the shares in order to
maximize the value of that particular holding.
With respect to proxies of an affiliated mutual fund, the Proxy Committee will vote such
proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the fund (
i.e.
, echo
vote), unless otherwise required by law. When required by law, the Proxy Committee will also echo
vote proxies of an unaffiliated mutual fund. For example, certain exemptive orders issued to the
Schwab Funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, require the Schwab Funds, under certain circumstances, to echo
vote proxies of registered investment companies that serve as underlying investments of the Schwab
Funds. When not required to echo vote, the Proxy Committee will delegate to RMG responsibility
for voting proxies of an unaffiliated mutual fund in accordance with RMGs Proxy Procedures.
With respect to shareholder proposals requiring that a company chairmans position be
filled by an independent director, the Proxy Committee has instructed RMG to vote against such
proposals unless the company does not meet RMGs 2008 performance hurdle. A company fails to meet
the performance hurdle if its total shareholder returns relative to industry peers and the
appropriate broad market index are in the bottom 5% for the one-year and three-year periods. In
cases where a company fails to meet the performance hurdle, the Proxy Committee has instructed RMG
to vote for shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans position be filled by an
independent director.
Appendix B
In addition to RMG not providing analyses or recommendations for LP Proxies, there may be
other circumstances in which RMG does not provide an analysis or recommendation for voting a
securitys proxy. In that event, and when the following criteria are met, two members of the Proxy
Committee, including at least one representative from equity Portfolio Management, may decide how
to vote such proxy in order to maximize the value of that particular holding. The following
criteria must be met: (1) For each Fund that holds the security in its portfolio, the value of the
security must represent less than one tenth of one cent in the Funds NAV,
and
(2) the securitys
value must equal less than $50,000 in the aggregate across all of the Funds and separate accounts
that hold this security. Any voting decision made under these circumstances will be reported to the
Proxy Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Conflicts of Interest
. Except as described above for proxies of mutual funds and
shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans position be filled by an independent director,
where proxy issues present material conflicts of interest between CSIM, and/or any of its
affiliates, and CSIMs clients, CSIM will delegate to RMG responsibility for voting such proxies in
accordance with RMGs Proxy Procedures, or, in the case of LP Proxies, in accordance with Glass
Lewiss recommendations as provided to RMG. The CSIM Legal Department is responsible for
developing procedures to identify material conflicts of interest.
Voting Foreign Proxies
. CSIM has arrangements with RMG for voting proxies. However,
voting proxies with respect to shares of foreign securities may involve significantly greater
effort and corresponding cost than voting proxies with respect to domestic securities, due to the
variety of regulatory schemes and corporate practices in foreign countries with respect to proxy
voting. Problems voting foreign proxies may include the following:
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proxy statements and ballots written in a foreign language;
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untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings;
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restrictions of foreigners ability to exercise votes;
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requirements to vote proxies in person;
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requirements to provide local agents with power
of attorney to facilitate CSIMs voting instructions.
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In consideration of the foregoing issues, RMG uses its best-efforts to vote foreign proxies. As
part of its ongoing oversight, the Proxy Committee will monitor the voting of foreign proxies to
determine whether all reasonable steps are taken to vote foreign proxies. If the Proxy Committee
determines that the cost associated with the attempt to vote outweighs the potential benefits
clients may derive from voting, the Proxy Committee may decide not to attempt to vote. In
addition, certain foreign countries impose restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of
time in proximity to the shareholder meeting. To avoid these trading restrictions, the Proxy
Committee instructs RMG not to vote such foreign proxies.
Securities Lending Programs
. Certain of the Funds enter into securities lending
arrangements with lending agents to generate additional revenue for their portfolios. In securities
lending arrangements, any voting rights that accompany the loaned securities generally pass to the
borrower of the securities, but the lender retains the right to recall a security and may then
exercise the securitys voting rights. In order to vote the proxies of securities out on loan, the
securities must be recalled prior to the established record date. CSIM will use its best efforts to
recall a Funds securities on loan and vote such securities proxies if (a) the proxy relates to a
special meeting of shareholders of the issuer (as opposed to the issuers annual meeting of
shareholders), or (b) the Fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the issuer. Further,
it is CSIMs policy to use its best efforts to recall securities on loan and vote such securities
proxies if CSIM determines that the proxies involve a material event affecting the loaned
securities. CSIM may utilize third-party service providers to assist it in identifying and
evaluating whether an event is material.
Appendix B
Sub-Advisory Relationships
. For investment companies or other clients that CSIM has
delegated day-to-day investment management responsibilities to an investment adviser, CSIM may
delegate its responsibility to vote proxies with respect to such investment companies or other
clients securities. Each Sub-adviser to whom proxy voting responsibility has been delegated will
be required to review all proxy solicitation material and to exercise the voting rights associated
with the securities as it has been allocated in the best interest of each investment company and
its shareholders, or other client. Prior to delegating the proxy voting responsibility, CSIM will
review each sub-advisers proxy voting policy to ensure that each Sub-advisers proxy voting policy
is generally consistent with the maximization of economic benefits to the investment company or
other client.
Reporting and Record Retention
CSIM will maintain, or cause RMG to maintain, records which identify the manner in which proxies
have been voted (or not voted) on behalf of CSIM clients. CSIM will comply with all applicable
rules and regulations regarding disclosure of its or its clients proxy voting records and
procedures.
CSIM will retain all proxy voting materials and supporting documentation as required under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Appendix B
U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
(Digest of Selected Key Guidelines)
January 15, 2009
Copyright © 2009 by RiskMetrics Group.
The policies contained herein are a sampling of select, key proxy voting guidelines and are not
exhaustive. A full listing of RiskMetrics 2009 proxy voting guidelines can be found in the Jan. 15,
2009, edition of the
U.S. Proxy Voting Manual
.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission to make
copies of any part of this work should be sent to: RiskMetrics Group Marketing Department, One
Chase Manhattan Plaza, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10005. RiskMetrics Group is a trademark used herein
under license.
Risk Management | RiskMetrics Labs | ISS Governance Services | Financial Research & Analysis
www.riskmetrics.com
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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1. Operational Items:
Auditor Ratification
Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply:
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An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is
therefore not independent;
|
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There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which
is neither accurate nor indicative of the companys financial position;
|
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Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern,
such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404
disclosures; or
|
|
|
|
|
Fees for non-audit services (Other fees) are excessive.
|
Non-audit fees are excessive if:
|
|
|
Non-audit (other) fees exceed audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation
fees
|
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their
auditors from engaging in non-audit services.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:
|
|
|
The tenure of the audit firm;
|
|
|
|
|
The length of rotation specified in the proposal;
|
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|
|
Any significant audit-related issues at the company;
|
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|
The number of Audit Committee meetings held each year;
|
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|
The number of financial experts serving on the committee; and
|
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|
|
Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated for
both audit quality and competitive price.
|
2. Board of Directors:
Voting on Director
1
Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Vote on director nominees should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD
2
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, or funeral obligations. If the
company provides meaningful public or private disclosure explaining the directors absences,
evaluate the information on a CASE-BY-CASE basis taking into account the following factors:
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
RiskMetrics classification of directors can be found in
U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines
Summary
.
|
|
2
|
|
In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use Withhold as the valid
opposition vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use
Against. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid
opposition vote for the particular company.
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 2 -
Appendix B
|
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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-
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Degree to which absences were due to an unavoidable conflict;
|
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|
-
|
|
Pattern of absenteeism; and
|
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|
-
|
|
Other extraordinary circumstances underlying the directors absence;
|
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|
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.
|
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from all nominees of the board of directors, (except from new nominees,
who should be considered on a CASE-BY-CASE basis) if:
|
|
|
The companys proxy indicates that not all directors attended 75% of the aggregate of
their board and committee meetings, but fails to provide the required disclosure of the
names of the directors involved. If this information cannot be obtained, vote
against/withhold from all incumbent directors;
|
|
|
|
|
The companys poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature. Vote
against/withhold every year until this feature is removed;
|
|
|
|
|
The board adopts or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval, does not
commit to putting it to shareholder vote within 12 months of adoption (or in the case of
an newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a shareholder vote within 12
months following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a vote, and has
not yet received a withhold/against recommendation 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 (a management proposal with other
than a FOR recommendation by management will not be considered as sufficient action
taken);
|
|
|
|
|
The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of the
majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years (a management proposal with
other than a FOR recommendation by management will not be considered as sufficient action
taken);
|
|
|
|
|
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/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the
underlying issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote;
|
|
|
|
|
The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic
governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote
recommendation is not up for election- any or all appropriate nominees (except new) may be
held accountable;
|
|
|
|
|
The board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance
relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one- and three-year total
shareholder returns in the
bottom half of a companys four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only).
|
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the
Classification of Directors below) 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 company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if board attests that the
independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee;
|
|
|
|
|
The full board is less than majority independent.
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 3 -
Appendix B
|
|
|
|
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|
RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
|
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:
|
|
|
The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive;
|
|
|
|
|
The company receives an adverse opinion on the companys financial statements from
its auditor; or
|
|
|
|
|
There is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate
indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its
shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.
|
Vote CASE-by-CASE on members of the Audit Committee and/or the full board if poor accounting
practices, which rise to a level of serious concern are indentified, such as: fraud; misapplication
of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures.
Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence and duration, as well as the companys
efforts at remediation or corrective actions in determining whether negative vote recommendations
are warranted against the members of the Audit Committee who are responsible for the poor
accounting practices, or the entire board.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation Committee if:
|
|
|
There is a negative correlation between the chief executives pay and company
performance (see discussion under Equity Compensation Plans);
|
|
|
|
|
The company reprices underwater options for stock, cash or other consideration
without prior shareholder approval, even if allowed in their equity plan;
|
|
|
|
|
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 backdated options (see Options Backdating policy);
|
The company has poor compensation practices (see Poor Pay Practices policy). Poor pay practices
may warrant withholding votes from the CEO and potentially the entire board as well.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from directors, individually or the entire board, for egregious actions or
failure to replace management as appropriate.
Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans position be filled by an
independent director, unless the company satisfies
all
of the following criteria:
The company maintains the following counterbalancing features:
|
|
|
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.) The duties should include, but are not limited to, the
following:
|
|
-
|
|
presides at all meetings of the board at which the chairman is not present, including
executive sessions of the independent directors;
|
|
|
-
|
|
serves as liaison between the chairman and the independent directors;
|
|
|
-
|
|
approves information sent to the board;
|
|
|
-
|
|
approves meeting agendas for the board;
|
|
|
-
|
|
approves meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of
all agenda items;
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 4 -
Appendix B
|
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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|
-
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|
has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;
|
|
|
-
|
|
if requested by major shareholders, ensures that he is available for consultation and
direct communication;
|
|
|
|
Two-thirds independent board;
|
|
|
|
|
All independent key committees;
|
|
|
|
|
Established governance guidelines;
|
|
|
|
|
A company in the Russell 3000 universe must not have exhibited sustained poor total
shareholder return (TSR) performance, defined as one- and three-year TSR in the bottom
half of the companys four-digit GICS industry group within the Russell 3000 only), unless
there has been a change in the Chairman/CEO position within that time;
|
|
|
|
|
The company does not have any problematic governance or management issues, examples
of which include, but are not limited to:
|
|
-
|
|
Egregious compensation practices;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Multiple related-party transactions or other issues putting director independence at risk;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Corporate and/or management scandals;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Excessive problematic corporate governance provisions; or
|
|
|
-
|
|
Flagrant board or management actions with potential or realized negative
impact on shareholders.
|
Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals
Generally vote FOR precatory and binding resolutions requesting that the board change the companys
bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast,
provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. Binding
resolutions need to allow for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more
nominees than board seats.
Companies are strongly encouraged to also adopt a post-election policy (also know as a director
resignation policy) that provides guidelines so that the company will promptly address the
situation of a holdover director.
Performance/Governance Evaluation for Directors
Vote WITHHOLD/AGAINST on all director nominees if the board lacks accountability and oversight,
coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers, measured by one- and three-year total
shareholder returns in the bottom half of a companys four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000
companies only).
Evaluate board accountability and oversight at companies that demonstrate sustained poor
performance. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:
|
|
|
a classified board structure;
|
|
|
|
|
a supermajority vote requirement;
|
|
|
|
|
majority vote standard for director elections with no carve out for contested elections;
|
|
|
|
|
the inability of shareholders to call special meetings;
|
|
|
|
|
the inability of shareholders to act by written consent;
|
|
|
|
|
a dual-class structure; and/or
|
|
|
|
|
a non-shareholder approved poison pill.
|
If a company exhibits sustained poor performance coupled with a lack of board accountability and
oversight, also take into consideration the companys five-year total shareholder return and
five-year operational metrics in the evaluation.
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 5 -
Appendix B
|
|
|
|
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|
RiskMetrics
Group
|
|
www.riskmetrics.com
|
3. 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;
|
|
|
|
|
Managements track record;
|
|
|
|
|
Background to the proxy contest;
|
|
|
|
|
Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);
|
|
|
|
|
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.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals calling for the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred
in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election where the following
apply:
|
|
|
The election of fewer than 50% of the directors to be elected is contested in the election;
|
|
|
|
|
One or more of the dissidents candidates is elected;
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and
|
|
|
|
|
The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this bylaw.
|
4. Antitakeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on advance notice proposals, giving support to proposals that allow shareholders
to submit proposals/nominations reasonably close to the meeting date and within the broadest window
possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory and shareholder
review.
To be reasonable, the companys deadline for shareholder notice of a proposal/ nominations must not
be more than 60 days prior to the meeting, with a submittal window of at least 30 days prior to the
deadline.
In general, support additional efforts by companies to ensure full disclosure in regard to a
proponents economic and voting position in the company so long as the informational requirements
are reasonable and aimed at providing shareholders with the necessary information to review such
proposal.
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
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 6 -
Appendix B
|
|
|
|
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|
RiskMetrics
Group
|
|
www.riskmetrics.com
|
|
|
|
The board, in exercising its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in the
best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the delay
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 12 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 12
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% 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, 10 percent of the shares
may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.
|
In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In
examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the companys existing governance
structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic
governance concerns.
For management proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of preserving a companys
net operating losses (NOL pills), the following factors should be considered:
|
|
|
the trigger (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5%);
|
|
|
|
|
the value of the NOLs;
|
|
|
|
|
the term;
|
|
|
|
|
shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, causing expiration of the pill
upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); and
|
|
|
|
|
other factors that may be applicable.
|
In addition, vote WITHHOLD/AGAINST the entire board of directors, (except new nominees, who should
be considered on a CASE-by-CASE basis) if the board adopts or renews a poison pill without
shareholder approval, does not commit to putting it to a shareholder vote within 12 months of
adoption (or in the case of a newly public company, does not commit to put the pill to a
shareholder vote within 12 months
following the IPO), or reneges on a commitment to put the pill to a vote, and has not yet received
a withhold recommendation for this issue.
5. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Overall Approach
For mergers and acquisitions, review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed
transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:
|
|
|
Valuation
Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the
acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for
assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market
reaction and strategic rationale.
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 7 -
Appendix B
|
|
|
|
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|
RiskMetrics
Group
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|
www.riskmetrics.com
|
|
|
|
Market reaction
How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative
market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic rationale
Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value
derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but
reasonably achievable.
Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of
historical acquisitions.
|
|
|
|
|
Negotiations and process
Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at
arms-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best
price for shareholders. Significant negotiation wins can also signify the deal makers
competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial
auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.
|
|
|
|
|
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. Consider
whether these interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or
recommend the merger. The change-in-control figure presented in the RMG
Transaction Summary section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain
cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders.
Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine
whether a potential conflict exists.
|
|
|
|
|
Governance
Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than
the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the
governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that
other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
|
6. State of Incorporation
Reincorporation Proposals
Evaluate management or shareholder proposals to change a companys state of incorporation on a
CASE-BY-CASE basis, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns
including the following:
|
|
|
Reasons for reincorporation;
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of companys governance practices and provisions prior to and following
the reincorporation; and
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state
|
Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance
changes.
7. Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance. Take into account company-specific factors which include, at a minimum, the following:
|
|
|
Specific reasons/ rationale for the proposed increase;
|
|
|
|
|
The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable cap generated
by RiskMetrics quantitative model;
|
|
|
|
|
The boards governance structure and practices; and
|
|
|
|
|
Risks to shareholders of not approving the request.
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 8 -
Appendix B
|
|
|
|
|
|
RiskMetrics
Group
|
|
www.riskmetrics.com
|
Vote FOR proposals to approve increases beyond the allowable cap when a companys shares are in
danger of being delisted or if a companys ability to continue to operate as a going concern is
uncertain.
Preferred Stock
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to increase the number of shares of preferred stock authorized for
issuance. Take into account company-specific factors which include, at a minimum, the following:
|
|
|
Specific reasons/ rationale for the proposed increase;
|
|
|
|
|
The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable cap generated
by RiskMetrics quantitative model;
|
|
|
|
|
The boards governance structure and practices; and
|
|
|
|
|
Risks to shareholders of not approving the request.
|
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 FOR proposals to create declawed 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 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.
8. Executive and Director Compensation
Equity Compensation Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Vote AGAINST the equity plan if any of the
following factors apply:
|
|
|
The total cost of the companys equity plans is unreasonable;
|
|
|
|
|
The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciation rights
(SARs) without prior shareholder approval;
|
|
|
|
|
The CEO is a participant in the proposed equity-based compensation plan and there is
a disconnect between CEO pay and the companys performance where over 50 percent of the
year-over-year increase is attributed to equity awards;
|
|
|
|
|
The companys three year burn rate exceeds the greater of 2% and the mean plus one
standard deviation of its industry group;
|
|
|
|
|
The plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even though an
actual change in control may not occur (e.g., upon shareholder approval of a transaction
or the announcement of a tender offer); or
|
|
|
|
|
The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices.
|
Poor Pay Practices
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from compensation committee members, CEO, and potentially the entire
board, if the company has poor compensation practices. Vote AGAINST equity plans if the plan is a
vehicle for poor compensation practices.
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 9 -
Appendix B
|
|
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|
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RiskMetrics
Group
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|
www.riskmetrics.com
|
The following practices, while not exhaustive, are examples of poor compensation practices that may
warrant withhold vote recommendations:
|
|
|
Egregious employment contracts Contracts containing multi-year guarantees for
salary increases, bonuses and equity compensation;
|
|
|
|
|
Excessive perks/tax reimbursements:
|
|
-
|
|
Overly generous perquisites, which may include, but are not limited to the following:
personal use of corporate aircraft, personal security system maintenance and/or
installation, car allowances;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Reimbursement of income taxes on executive perquisites or other payments;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Perquisites for former executives, such as car allowances, personal use of corporate
aircraft or other inappropriate arrangements;
|
Abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure -
Performance metrics that are changed, canceled or replaced during the performance period
without adequate explanation of the action and the link to performance;
|
|
|
Egregious pension/SERP (supplemental executive retirement plan) payouts:
|
|
-
|
|
Inclusion of additional years of service not worked that result in significant
payouts;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Inclusion of performance-based equity awards in the pension calculation;
|
|
|
|
New CEO with overly generous new hire
package:
|
|
-
|
|
Excessive make whole provisions;
|
|
-
|
|
Any of the poor pay practices listed in this policy;
|
|
|
|
Excessive severance and/or change in control provisions:
|
|
-
|
|
Inclusion of excessive change in control or severance payments, especially those with
a multiple in excess of 3X cash pay;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Payments upon an executives termination in connection with performance failure;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Change in control payouts without loss of job or substantial diminution of job duties
(single-triggered);
|
|
|
-
|
|
New or materially amended employment or severance agreements that provide for
modified single triggers, under which an executive may voluntarily leave for any reason
and still receive the change-in-control severance package;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Liberal change in control definition in individual contracts or equity plans which
could result in payments to executives without an actual change in control occurring;
|
|
|
-
|
|
New or materially amended employment or severance agreements that provide for an
excise tax gross-up. Modified gross-ups would be treated in the same manner as full
gross-ups;
|
|
|
-
|
|
Perquisites for former executives such as car allowances, personal use of corporate
aircraft or other inappropriate arrangements;
|
|
|
|
Dividends or dividend equivalents paid on unvested performance shares or units;
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Poor disclosure practices:
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Unclear explanation of how the CEO is involved in the pay setting process;
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Retrospective performance targets and methodology not discussed;
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Methodology for benchmarking practices and/or peer group not disclosed and explained;
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Internal Pay Disparity:
|
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-
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Excessive differential between CEO total pay and that of next highest paid
named executive officer (NEO);
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Options backdating (covered in a separate policy);
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Other excessive compensation payouts or poor pay practices at the company.
|
Other Compensation Proposals and Policies
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay) Management Proposals
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for an advisory vote on executive compensation. Vote
AGAINST these resolutions in cases where boards have failed to demonstrate good stewardship of
investors interests regarding executive compensation practices.
For U.S. companies, consider the following factors in the context of each companys specific
circumstances and the boards disclosed rationale for its practices:
Relative Considerations
:
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Assessment of performance metrics relative to business strategy, as discussed and
explained in the CD&A;
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Evaluation of peer groups used to set target pay or award opportunities;
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Alignment of company performance and executive pay trends over time (e.g.,
performance down: pay down);
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Assessment of disparity between total pay of the CEO and other Named Executive
Officers (NEOs).
|
Design Considerations
:
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Balance of fixed versus performance-driven pay;
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Assessment of excessive practices with respect to perks, severance packages,
supplemental executive pension plans, and burn rates.
|
Communication Considerations
:
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Evaluation of information and board rationale provided in CD&A about how compensation
is determined (e.g., why certain elements and pay targets are used, and specific incentive
plan goals, especially retrospective goals);
|
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Assessment of boards responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation
issues (e.g., in responding to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay
topics).
|
Employee Stock Purchase Plans Non-Qualified Plans
Vote CASE-by-CASE on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote FOR nonqualified employee
stock purchase plans with all the following features:
|
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Broad-based participation (i.e., all employees of the company with the exclusion of
individuals with 5 percent or more of beneficial ownership of the company);
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Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as a
percent of base salary;
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Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employees contribution, which is
effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value;
|
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No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company matching
contribution.
|
Vote AGAINST nonqualified employee stock purchase plans when any of the plan features
do not meet the above criteria. If the company matching contribution exceeds 25 percent of
employees contribution, evaluate the cost of the plan against its allowable cap.
Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options
Vote CASE-by-CASE on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options, taking into
consideration:
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Historic trading patternsthe stock price should not be so volatile that the options
are likely to be back in-the-money over the near term;
|
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Rationale for the re-pricingwas the stock price decline beyond managements control?
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Is this a value-for-value exchange?
|
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Are surrendered stock options added back to the plan reserve?
|
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|
Option vestingdoes the new option vest immediately or is there a black-out period?
|
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Term of the optionthe term should remain the same as that of the replaced option;
|
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|
Exercise priceshould be set at fair market or a premium to market;
|
|
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|
Participantsexecutive officers and directors should be excluded.
|
If the surrendered options are added back to the equity plans for re-issuance, then also take into
consideration the companys total cost of equity plans and its three-year average burn rate.
In addition to the above considerations, evaluate the intent, rationale, and timing of the
repricing proposal. The proposal should clearly articulate why the board is choosing to conduct an
exchange program at this point in time. Repricing underwater options after a recent precipitous
drop in the companys stock price demonstrates poor timing. Repricing after a recent decline in
stock price triggers additional scrutiny and a potential AGAINST vote on the proposal. At a
minimum, the decline should not have happened within the past year. Also, consider the terms of the
surrendered options, such as the grant date, exercise price and vesting schedule. Grant dates of
surrendered options should be far enough back (two to three years) so as not to suggest that
repricings are being done to take advantage of short-term downward price movements. Similarly, the
exercise price of surrendered options should be above the 52-week high for the stock price.
Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.
Other Shareholder Proposals on Compensation
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay)
Generally, vote FOR shareholder proposals that call for non-binding shareholder ratification of the
compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the accompanying narrative disclosure of material
factors provided to understand the Summary Compensation Table.
Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits
Generally vote FOR proposals calling on companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder
approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make
payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or
bonuses, accelerated vesting or the
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continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards made in
lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit programs or equity plan proposals for
which the broad-based employee population is eligible.
Share Buyback Holding Periods
Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals prohibiting executives from selling shares of company
stock during periods in which the company has announced that it may or will be repurchasing shares
of its stock. Vote FOR the proposal when there is a pattern of abuse by executives exercising
options or selling shares during periods of share buybacks.
Stock Ownership or Holding Period Guidelines
Generally vote AGAINST shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors
must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board. While RMG favors stock
ownership on the part of directors, the company should determine the appropriate ownership
requirement.
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring Named
Executive Officers to retain 75% of the shares acquired through compensation plans while employed
and/or for two years following the termination of their employment, and to report to shareholders
regarding this policy. The following factors will be taken into account:
|
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Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership
requirements in place. These should consist of:
|
|
-
|
|
Rigorous stock ownership guidelines, or
|
|
|
-
|
|
A holding period requirement coupled with a significant long-term ownership
requirement, or
|
|
|
-
|
|
A meaningful retention ratio,
|
|
|
|
Actual officer stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the
proponents suggested holding period/retention ratio or the companys own stock ownership
or retention requirements.
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Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may promote a short-term versus a
long-term focus.
|
Tax Gross-Up Proposals
Generally vote FOR proposals asking companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up
payments to executives, except where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or
arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate
tax equalization policy.
9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues
Overall Approach
When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, RMG considers the following
factors:
|
|
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Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value;
|
|
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|
Whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a
meaningful percentage of the companys business as measured by sales, assets, and
earnings;
|
|
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|
The degree to which the companys stated position on the issues raised in the
proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or
selective purchasing;
|
|
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|
|
Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through
governmental or company-specific action;
|
|
|
|
|
Whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request
embodied in the proposal;
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Whether the companys analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders are persuasive;
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What other companies have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal;
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Whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is reasonable;
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Whether implementation of the proposals request would achieve the proposals objectives;
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Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board;
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Whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the
company or from a publicly available source; and
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Whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential
information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage.
|
Genetically Modified Ingredients
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking suppliers, genetic research companies, restaurants and food
retail companies to voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in their products
and/or eliminate GE ingredients. The cost of labeling and/or phasing out the use of GE ingredients
may not be commensurate with the benefits to shareholders and is an issue better left to
regulators.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals asking for a report on the feasibility of labeling products
containing GE ingredients taking into account:
|
|
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The companys business and the proportion of it affected by the resolution;
|
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|
The quality of the companys disclosure on GE product labeling, related voluntary
initiatives, and how this disclosure compares with industry peer disclosure; and
|
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|
Companys current disclosure on the feasibility of GE product labeling, including
information on the related costs.
|
Generally vote AGAINST proposals seeking a report on the social, health, and environmental effects
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Studies of this sort are better undertaken by regulators
and the scientific community.
Generally vote AGAINST proposals to completely phase out GE ingredients from the companys products
or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the
companys products. Such resolutions presuppose that there are proven health risks to GE
ingredients (an issue better left to regulators) that may outweigh the economic benefits derived
from biotechnology.
Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Product Reimportation
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 report on their product pricing policies
or their access to medicine policies, considering:
|
|
|
The nature of the companys business and the potential for reputational and market risk exposure;
|
|
|
|
|
The existing disclosure of relevant policies;
|
|
|
|
|
Deviation from established industry norms;
|
|
|
|
|
The companys existing, relevant initiatives to provide research and/or products to
disadvantaged consumers;
|
|
|
|
|
Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions; and
|
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|
|
|
The potential cost and scope of the requested report.
|
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Generally vote FOR proposals requesting that companies report on the financial and legal impact of
their prescription drug reimportation policies unless such information is already publicly
disclosed.
Generally vote AGAINST proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or
constrain prescription drug reimportation. Such matters are more appropriately the province of
legislative activity and may place the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its peers.
Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits
Generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a companys EEO statement or diversity policies to
prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, unless the change would
result in excessive costs for the company.
Generally vote AGAINST proposals to extend company benefits to, or eliminate benefits from domestic
partners. Decisions regarding benefits should be left to the discretion of the company.
Climate Change
Generally vote FOR resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the impact of
climate change on the companys operations and investments considering whether:
|
|
|
The company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impacts
that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and
procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;
|
|
|
|
|
The companys level of disclosure is at least comparable to that of industry peers;
and
|
|
|
|
|
There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance.
|
Lobbying Expenditures/Initiatives
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting information on a companys lobbying initiatives,
considering:
|
|
|
Significant controversies, fines, or litigation surrounding a companys public policy activities,
|
|
|
|
|
The companys current level of disclosure on lobbying strategy, and
|
|
|
|
|
The impact that the policy issue may have on the companys business operations.
|
Political Contributions and Trade Association Spending
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the
workplace so long as:
|
|
|
There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the
companys political contributions or trade association spending; and
|
|
|
|
|
The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to
company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibits
coercion.
|
Vote AGAINST proposals to publish in newspapers and public media the companys political
contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing
commensurate value to shareholders.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a companys political contributions and
trade association spending, considering:
|
|
|
Recent significant controversy or litigation related to the companys political
contributions or governmental affairs; and
|
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The public availability of a company policy on political contributions and trade
association spending including information on the types of organizations supported, the
business rationale for supporting these organizations, and the oversight and compliance
procedures related to such expenditures of corporate assets.
|
Vote AGAINST proposals barring the company from making political contributions. Businesses are
affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level and barring political contributions
can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.
Vote AGAINST proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal
counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such
service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare
without providing any meaningful information to shareholders.
Labor and Human Rights Standards
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human
rights standards and policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to implement company or company supplier labor and/or human rights
standards and policies, considering:
|
|
|
The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed;
|
|
|
|
|
Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally recognized standards;
|
|
|
|
|
Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how;
|
|
|
|
|
Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally recognized
human rights initiatives;
|
|
|
|
|
Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of
workplace labor/human rights abuse;
|
|
|
|
|
Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human
rights at the company or its suppliers;
|
|
|
|
|
The scope of the request; and
|
|
|
|
|
Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices.
|
Sustainability Reporting
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives, and
oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:
|
|
|
The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or
policies such as an
Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive Code of Corporate Conduct;
and/or a Diversity Report; or
|
|
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|
|
The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based
on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified
time frame
|
2009 RiskMetrics Group U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines Concise Summary
- 16 -
Appendix B
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
January 15, 2009
Copyright © 2009 by RiskMetrics Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission to make
copies of any part of this work should be sent to: RiskMetrics Group Marketing Department, One
Chase Manhattan Plaza, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10005. RiskMetrics Group is a trademark used herein
under license.
Risk Management | RiskMetrics Labs | ISS Governance Services | Financial
Research & Analysis
www.riskmetrics.com
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
Effective for Meetings on or after Feb. 1, 2009
Updated Jan. 15, 2009
The following is a condensed version of the general policies for voting non-U.S. proxies contained
in the
RiskMetrics (RMG) Proxy Voting Manual. In addition, RMG has country- and market-specific
policies, which are not captured below.
Table of Contents
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1. OPERATIONAL ITEMS
|
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4
|
|
Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports
|
|
|
4
|
|
Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees
|
|
|
4
|
|
Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors
|
|
|
4
|
|
Allocation of Income
|
|
|
4
|
|
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative
|
|
|
4
|
|
Amendments to Articles of Association
|
|
|
4
|
|
Change in Company Fiscal Term
|
|
|
5
|
|
Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership
|
|
|
5
|
|
Amend Quorum Requirements
|
|
|
5
|
|
Transact Other Business
|
|
|
5
|
|
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2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
|
|
6
|
|
Director Elections
|
|
|
6
|
|
RMG Classification of Directors International Policy 2009
|
|
|
7
|
|
Discharge of Directors
|
|
|
8
|
|
Director Compensation
|
|
|
8
|
|
Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions
|
|
|
8
|
|
Board Structure
|
|
|
8
|
|
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|
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|
|
3. CAPITAL STRUCTURE
|
|
|
9
|
|
Share Issuance Requests
|
|
|
9
|
|
Increases in Authorized Capital
|
|
|
9
|
|
Reduction of Capital
|
|
|
9
|
|
Capital Structures
|
|
|
9
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
9
|
|
Debt Issuance Requests
|
|
|
10
|
|
Pledging of Assets for Debt
|
|
|
10
|
|
Increase in Borrowing Powers
|
|
|
10
|
|
Share Repurchase Plans
|
|
|
10
|
|
Reissuance of Repurchased Shares
|
|
|
11
|
|
Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value
|
|
|
11
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|
4. OTHER
|
|
|
12
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|
Reorganizations/Restructurings
|
|
|
12
|
|
Mergers and Acquisitions
|
|
|
12
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2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 2 -
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Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers
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12
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Reincorporation Proposals
|
|
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12
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|
Expansion of Business Activities
|
|
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12
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|
Related-Party Transactions
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13
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|
Compensation Plans
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13
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Antitakeover Mechanisms
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13
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Shareholder Proposals
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13
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1. Operational Items
Financial Results/Director and Auditor Reports
Vote FOR approval of financial statements and director and auditor reports, unless:
|
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There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or
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|
|
The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items that should
be publicly disclosed.
|
Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees
Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees,
unless:
|
|
|
There are serious concerns about the accounts presented or the audit procedures used;
|
|
|
|
|
The auditors are being changed without explanation; or
|
|
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|
|
Non-audit-related fees are substantial or are routinely in excess of standard annual
audit-related fees.
|
Vote AGAINST the appointment of external auditors if they have previously
served the company in an executive capacity or can otherwise be considered affiliated with the
company.
Appointment of Internal Statutory Auditors
Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:
|
|
|
There are serious concerns about the statutory reports presented or the audit procedures used;
|
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|
Questions exist concerning any of the statutory auditors being appointed; or
|
|
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|
|
The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can
otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.
|
Allocation of Income
Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:
|
|
|
The dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate
explanation; or
|
|
|
|
|
The payout is excessive given the companys financial position.
|
Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternative
Vote FOR most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.
Vote AGAINST proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the
cash option is harmful to shareholder value.
Amendments to Articles of Association
Vote amendments to the articles of association on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 4 -
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Change in Company Fiscal Term
Vote FOR resolutions to change a companys fiscal term unless a companys motivation for the change
is to postpone its AGM.
Lower Disclosure Threshold for Stock Ownership
Vote AGAINST resolutions to lower the stock ownership disclosure threshold below 5 percent unless
specific reasons exist to implement a lower threshold.
Amend Quorum Requirements
Vote proposals to amend quorum requirements for shareholder meetings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Transact Other Business
Vote AGAINST other business when it appears as a voting item.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 5 -
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2. Board of Directors
Director Elections
Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless:
|
|
|
Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner;
|
|
|
|
|
There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements;
|
|
|
|
|
There have been questionable transactions with conflicts of interest;
|
|
|
|
|
There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or
|
|
|
|
|
The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards.
|
Vote FOR individual nominees unless there are specific concerns about the individual, such as
criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities.
Vote AGAINST individual directors if repeated absences at board meetings have not been explained
(in countries where this information is disclosed).
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis for contested elections of directors, e.g. the election of shareholder
nominees or the dismissal of incumbent directors, determining which directors are best suited to
add value for shareholders.
Vote FOR employee and/or labor representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation
committee
and
are required by law to be on those committees. Vote AGAINST employee and/or labor
representatives if they sit on either the audit or compensation committee, if they are not required
to be on those committees.
[Please see the International Classification of Directors on the following page.]
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
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RMG Classification of Directors International Policy 2009
Executive Director
Employee or executive of the company;
Any director who is classified as a non-executive, but receives salary, fees, bonus, and/or
other benefits that are in line with the highest-paid executives of the company.
Non-Independent Non-Executive Director (NED)
Any director who is attested by the board to be a non-independent NED;
Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant shareholder of the
company;
Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder of the
company;
Beneficial owner (direct or indirect) of at least 10% of the companys stock, either
in economic terms or in voting rights (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed
among more than one member of a defined group, e.g., family members who beneficially own less
than 10% individually, but collectively own more than 10%), unless market best practice dictates
a lower ownership and/or disclosure threshold (and in other special market-specific
circumstances);
Government representative;
Currently provides (or a relative
[1]
provides) professional services
[2]
to the company, to an affiliate of the company, or
to an individual officer of the company or of one of its affiliates in excess of $10,000 per
year;
Represents customer, supplier, creditor, banker, or other entity with which company
maintains transactional/commercial relationship (unless company discloses information to apply a
materiality test
[3]
);
Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with
executive directors or the chairman of the company;
Relative
[1]
of a current
employee of the company or its affiliates;
Relative
[1]
of a former executive of the
company or its affiliates;
A new appointee elected other than by a formal process through the
General Meeting (such as a contractual appointment by a substantial shareholder);
Founder/co-founder/member of founding family but not currently an employee;
Former executive (5
year cooling off period);
Years of service is generally not a determining factor unless it is
recommended best practice in a market and/or in extreme circumstances, in which case it may be
considered.
[4]
Independent NED
No material
[5]
connection, either directly or indirectly, to the company other than
a board seat.
Employee Representative
Represents employees or employee shareholders of the company (classified as employee
representative but considered a non-independent NED).
Footnotes:
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[1]
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Relative follows the U.S. SECs definition of immediate family members which
covers spouses, parents, children, stepparents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person
(other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director,
executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.
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[2]
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Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature and generally
include the following: investment banking/financial advisory services; commercial banking (beyond
deposit services); investment services; insurance services; accounting/audit services; consulting
services; marketing services; and legal services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate
by a non-lead bank should be considered a transaction (and hence subject to the associated
materiality test) rather than a professional relationship.
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[3]
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If the company makes or receives annual payments exceeding the greater of $200,000
or five percent of the recipients gross revenues (the recipient is the party receiving the
financial proceeds from the transaction).
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[4]
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For example, in continental Europe, directors with a tenure exceeding 12 years will
be considered non-independent. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, directors with a tenure exceeding
nine years will be considered non-independent, unless the company provides sufficient and clear
justification that the director is independent despite his long tenure.
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[5]
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For purposes of RMG director independence classification, material will be defined
as a standard of relationship
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2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 7 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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financial, personal or otherwise) that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially
influence ones objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an
individuals ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.
Discharge of Directors
Generally vote FOR the discharge of directors, including members of the management board and/or
supervisory board,
unless
there is reliable information about significant and compelling
controversies that the board is not fulfilling its fiduciary duties warranted by:
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A lack of oversight or actions by board members which invoke shareholder distrust
related to malfeasance or poor supervision, such as operating in private or company
interest rather than in shareholder interest; or
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Any legal issues (e.g. civil/criminal) aiming to hold the board responsible for breach
of trust in the past or related to currently alleged actions yet to be confirmed (and not
only the fiscal year in question), such as price fixing, insider trading, bribery, fraud,
and other illegal actions; or
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Other egregious governance issues where shareholders will bring legal action against
the company or its directors.
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For markets which do not routinely request discharge resolutions (e.g. common law countries or
markets where discharge is not mandatory), analysts may voice concern in other appropriate agenda
items, such as approval of the annual accounts or other relevant resolutions, to enable
shareholders to express discontent with the board.
Director Compensation
Vote FOR proposals to award cash fees to non-executive directors unless the amounts are excessive
relative to other companies in the country or industry.
Vote non-executive director compensation proposals that include both cash and share-based
components on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote proposals that bundle compensation for both non-executive and executive directors into a
single resolution on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to introduce retirement benefits for non-executive directors.
Director, Officer, and Auditor Indemnification and Liability Provisions
Vote proposals seeking indemnification and liability protection for directors and officers on a
CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST proposals to indemnify auditors.
Board Structure
Vote FOR proposals to fix board size.
Vote AGAINST the introduction of classified boards and mandatory retirement ages for directors.
Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of
the company or the board.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 8 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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3. Capital Structure
Share Issuance Requests
General Issuances:
Vote FOR issuance requests with preemptive rights to a maximum of 100 percent over currently issued
capital.
Vote FOR issuance requests without preemptive rights to a maximum of 20 percent of
currently issued capital.
Specific Issuances:
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis on all requests, with or without preemptive rights.
Increases in Authorized Capital
Vote FOR non-specific proposals to increase authorized capital up to 100 percent over the current
authorization unless the increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new
authorization outstanding.
Vote FOR specific proposals to increase authorized capital to any
amount, unless:
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The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger) does
not meet RMG guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or
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The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new authorization
outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.
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Vote AGAINST proposals to adopt unlimited capital authorizations.
Reduction of Capital
Vote FOR proposals to reduce capital for routine accounting purposes unless the terms are
unfavorable to shareholders.
Vote proposals to reduce capital in connection with corporate restructuring on a CASE-BY-CASE
basis.
Capital Structures
Vote FOR resolutions that seek to maintain or convert to a one-share, one-vote capital structure.
Vote AGAINST requests for the creation or continuation of dual-class capital structures or the
creation of new or additional supervoting shares.
Preferred Stock
Vote FOR the creation of a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to
50 percent of issued capital unless the terms of the preferred stock would adversely affect the
rights of existing shareholders.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible preferred stock as long as the maximum number of
common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets RMG guidelines on equity issuance
requests.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 9 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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Vote AGAINST the creation of a new class of preference shares that would carry superior voting
rights to the common shares.
Vote AGAINST the creation of blank check preferred stock unless the board clearly states that the
authorization will not be used to thwart a takeover bid.
Vote proposals to increase blank check preferred authorizations on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Debt Issuance Requests
Vote non-convertible debt issuance requests on a CASE-BY-CASE basis, with or without preemptive
rights.
Vote FOR the creation/issuance of convertible debt instruments as long as the maximum
number of common shares that could be issued upon conversion meets RMG guidelines on equity
issuance requests.
Vote FOR proposals to restructure existing debt arrangements unless the terms of the restructuring
would adversely affect the rights of shareholders.
Pledging of Assets for Debt
Vote proposals to approve the pledging of assets for debt on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Increase in Borrowing Powers
Vote proposals to approve increases in a companys borrowing powers on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Share Repurchase Plans
Generally vote FOR share repurchase programs/market repurchase authorities,
provided that
the
proposal meets the following parameters:
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Maximum volume: 10 percent for market repurchase within any single authority and 10
percent of outstanding shares to be kept in treasury (on the shelf);
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Duration does not exceed 18 months.
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For markets that either generally do not specify the maximum duration of the authority or seek a
duration beyond 18 months that is allowable under market specific legislation, RMG will assess the
companys historic practice. If there is evidence that a company has sought shareholder approval
for the authority to repurchase shares on an annual basis, RMG will support the proposed authority.
In addition, vote AGAINST any proposal where:
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The repurchase can be used for takeover defenses;
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There is clear evidence of abuse;
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There is no safeguard against selective buybacks;
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Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market practice.
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RMG may support share repurchase plans in excess of 10 percent volume under exceptional
circumstances, such as one-off company specific events (e.g. capital re-structuring). Such
proposals will be assessed case-by-case
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 10 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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based on merits, which should be clearly disclosed in the annual report, provided that following
conditions are met:
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The overall balance of the proposed plan seems to be clearly in shareholders interests;
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The plan still respects the 10 percent maximum of shares to be kept in treasury.
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Reissuance of Repurchased Shares
Vote FOR requests to reissue any repurchased shares unless there is clear evidence of abuse of this
authority in the past.
Capitalization of Reserves for Bonus Issues/Increase in Par Value
Vote FOR requests to capitalize reserves for bonus issues of shares or to increase par value.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 11 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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4. Other
Reorganizations/Restructurings
Vote reorganizations and restructurings on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:
For every M&A analysis, RMG reviews publicly available information as of the date of the report and
evaluates the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes
countervailing factors including:
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Valuation Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the
acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for
assessing valuation reasonableness, RMG places emphasis on the offer premium, market
reaction, and strategic rationale.
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Market reaction How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market
reaction will cause RMG to scrutinize a deal more closely.
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Strategic rationale Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value
derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but
reasonably achievable.
Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of
historical acquisitions.
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Conflicts of interest Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately
and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? RMG will consider whether any
special interests may have influenced these directors and officers to support or recommend
the merger.
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Governance Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than
the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the
governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that
other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.
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Vote AGAINST if the companies do not provide sufficient information upon request to make an
informed voting decision.
Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers
Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Reincorporation Proposals
Vote reincorporation proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Expansion of Business Activities
Vote FOR resolutions to expand business activities unless the new business takes the company into
risky areas.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 12 -
Appendix B
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RiskMetrics
Group
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www.riskmetrics.com
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Related-Party Transactions
Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Compensation Plans
Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Antitakeover Mechanisms
Generally vote AGAINST all antitakeover proposals, unless they are structured in such a way that
they give shareholders the ultimate decision on any proposal or offer.
Shareholder Proposals
Vote all shareholder proposals on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote FOR proposals that would improve the companys corporate governance or business profile at a
reasonable cost.
Vote AGAINST proposals that limit the companys business activities or capabilities or result in
significant costs being incurred with little or no benefit.
2009 International Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
- 13 -
Appendix B
US
Proxy Paper Policy Guidelines
An Overview of the Glass Lewis Approach to
Proxy Advice for U.S. companies for 2009
Appendix B
I.
Election of Directors
Board of Directors
Boards are put in place to represent shareholders and protect their interests. Glass Lewis seeks
boards with a proven record of protecting shareholders and delivering value over the medium- and
long-term. We believe that boards working to protect and enhance the best interests of
shareholders are independent, have directors with diverse backgrounds, have a record of positive
performance, and have members with a breadth and depth of relevant experience.
Board Composition
We look at each individual on the board and examine his or her relationships with the company, the
companys executives and with other board members. The purpose of this inquiry is to determine
whether pre-existing personal, familial or financial relationships are likely to impact the
decisions of that board member.
We vote in favor of governance structures that will drive positive performance and enhance
shareholder value. The most crucial test of a boards commitment to the company and to its
shareholders is the performance of the board and its members. The performance of directors in
their capacity as board members and as executives of the company, when applicable, and in their
roles at other companies where they serve is critical to this evaluation.
We believe a director is independent if he or she has no material financial, familial or other
current relationships with the company, its executives or other board members except for service on
the board and standard fees paid for that service. Relationships that have existed within the five
years prior to the inquiry are usually considered to be current for purposes of this test.
In our view, a director is affiliated if he or she has a material financial, familial or other
relationship with the company or its executives, but is not an employee of the company. This
includes directors whose employers have a material financial relationship with the Company. This
also includes a director who owns or controls 25% or more of the companys voting stock.
2
Appendix B
We define an inside director as one who simultaneously serves as a director and as an employee of
the company. This category may include a chairman of the board who acts as an employee of the
company or is paid as an employee of the company.
Although we typically vote for the election of directors, we will recommend voting against
directors (or withholding where applicable, here and following) for the following reasons:
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A director who attends less than 75% of the board and applicable
committee meetings.
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A director who fails to file timely form(s) 4 or 5 (assessed on a
case-by-case basis).
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A director who is also the CEO of a company where a serious restatement has
occurred after the CEO certified the pre-restatement financial statements.
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All board members who served at a time when a poison pill was adopted without
shareholder approval within the prior twelve months.
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We also feel that the following conflicts of interest may hinder a directors performance and
will therefore recommend voting against a:
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CFO who presently sits on the board.
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Director who presently sits on an excessive number of boards
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Director, or a director whose immediate family member, provides material
professional services to the company at any time during the past five years.
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Director, or a director whose immediate family member, engages in airplane,
real estate or other similar deals, including perquisite type grants from the
company.
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Director with an interlocking directorship.
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Board Committee Composition
All key committees including audit, compensation, governance, and nominating committees should be
composed solely of independent directors and each committee should be focused on fulfilling its
specific duty to shareholders. We typically recommend that shareholders vote against any affiliated
or inside director seeking appointment to an
audit, compensation, nominating or governance committee or who has served in that capacity in the
past year.
3
Appendix B
Review of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Report
We review the CD&A in our evaluation of the overall compensation practices of a company, as
overseen by the compensation committee. In our evaluation of the CD&A, we examine, among other
factors, the extent to which the company has used performance goals in determining overall
compensation, how well the company has disclosed performance metrics and goals and the extent to
which the performance metrics, targets and goals are implemented to enhance company performance. We
would recommend voting against the chair of the compensation committee where the CD&A provides
insufficient or unclear information about performance metrics and goals, where the CD&A indicates
that pay is not tied to performance, or where the compensation committee or management has
excessive discretion to alter performance terms or increase amounts of awards in contravention of
previously defined targets.
Review of Risk Management Controls
We believe companies, particularly financial firms, should have a dedicated risk committee, or a
committee of the board charged with risk oversight, as well as a chief risk officer who reports
directly to that committee, not to the CEO or another executive. In cases where a company has
disclosed a sizable loss or writedown, and where a reasonable analysis indicates that the
companys board-level risk committee should be held accountable for poor oversight, we would
recommend that shareholders vote against such committee members on that basis. In addition, in
cases where a company maintains a significant level of financial risk exposure but fails to
disclose any explicit form of board-level risk oversight (committee or otherwise), we will
consider recommending to vote against the chairman of the board on that basis.
Separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO
Glass Lewis believes that separating the roles of corporate officers and the chairman of the board
is a better governance structure than a combined executive/chairman position. The role of
executives is to manage the business on the basis of the course charted by the board. Executives
should be in the position of reporting and answering to the board for their performance in
achieving the goals set out by such board. This becomes much more complicated when management
actually sits on, or chairs, the board.
We view an independent chairman as better able to oversee the executives of the company and set a
pro-shareholder agenda without the management conflicts that a CEO and other executive insiders
often face. This, in turn, leads to a more proactive and effective board of directors that is
looking out for the interests of shareholders above all else.
4
Appendix B
We do not recommend voting against CEOs who serve on or chair the board. However, we do support a
separation between the roles of chairman of the board and CEO, whenever that question is posed in
a proxy.
In the absence of an independent chairman, we support the appointment of a presiding or lead
director with authority to set the agenda for the meetings and to lead sessions outside the
presence of the insider chairman.
Majority Voting for the Election of Directors
Glass Lewis will generally support proposals calling for the election of directors by a majority
vote in place of plurality voting. If a majority vote standard were implemented, a nominee would
have to receive the support of a majority of the shares voted in order to assume the role of a
director. Thus, shareholders could collectively vote to reject a director they believe will not
pursue their best interests. We think that this minimal amount of protection for shareholders is
reasonable and will not upset the corporate structure nor reduce the willingness of qualified
shareholder-focused directors to serve in the future.
Classified Boards
Glass Lewis favors the repeal of staggered boards in favor of the annual election of
directors. We believe that staggered boards are less accountable to shareholders than annually
elected boards. Furthermore, we feel that the annual election of directors encourages board
members to focus on protecting the interests of shareholders.
Mutual Fund Boards
Mutual funds, or investment companies, are structured differently than regular public companies
(i.e., operating companies). Members of the funds adviser are typically on the board and
management takes on a different role than that of other public companies. As such, although many of
our guidelines remain the same, the following differences from the guidelines at operating
companies apply at mutual funds:
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1.
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We believe three-fourths of the boards of investment companies should be made up of
independent directors, a stricter standard than the two-thirds independence standard we
employ at operating companies.
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5
Appendix B
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2.
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We recommend voting against the chairman of the nominating committee at an
investment company if the chairman and CEO of a mutual fund is the same person and the
fund does not have an independent lead or presiding director.
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II.
Financial Reporting
Auditor Ratification
We believe that role of the auditor is crucial in protecting shareholder value. In our view,
shareholders should demand the services of objective and well-qualified auditors at every
company in which they hold an interest. Like directors, auditors should be free from conflicts
of interest and should assiduously avoid situations that require them to make choices between
their own interests and the interests of the shareholders.
Glass Lewis generally supports managements recommendation regarding the selection of an
auditor. However, we recommend voting against the ratification of auditors for the following
reasons:
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When audit fees added to audit-related fees total less than one-third of
total fees.
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When there have been any recent restatements or late filings by the company
where the auditor bears some responsibility for the restatement or late filing
(e.g., a restatement due to a reporting error).
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When the company has aggressive accounting policies.
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When the company has poor disclosure or lack of transparency in financial
statements.
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When there are other relationships or issues of concern with the auditor
that might suggest a conflict between the interest of the auditor and the
interests of shareholders.
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When the company is changing auditors as a result of a disagreement between
the company and the auditor on a matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures.
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Auditor Rotation
We typically support audit related proposals regarding mandatory auditor rotation when the
proposal uses a reasonable period of time (usually not less than 5-7 years).
6
Appendix B
Pension Accounting Issues
Proxy proposals sometimes raise the question as to whether pension accounting should have an
effect on the companys net income and therefore be reflected in the performance of the
business for purposes of calculating payments to executives. It is our view that pension
credits should not be included in measuring income used to award performance-based
compensation. Many of the assumptions used in accounting for retirement plans are subject to
the discretion of a company, and management would have an obvious conflict of interest if pay
were tied to pension income.
III.
Compensation
Equity Based Compensation Plans
Glass Lewis evaluates option and other equity-based compensation on a case-by-case basis. We
believe that equity compensation awards are a useful tool, when not abused, for retaining and
incentivizing employees to engage in conduct that will improve the performance of the company.
We evaluate option plans based on ten overarching principles:
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Companies should seek additional shares only when needed.
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The number of shares requested should be small enough that companies need
shareholder approval every three to four years (or more frequently).
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If a plan is relatively expensive, it should not be granting options
solely to senior executives and board members.
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Annual net share count and voting power dilution should be limited.
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Annual cost of the plan (especially if not shown on the income statement)
should be reasonable as a percentage of financial results and in line with
the peer group.
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The expected annual cost of the plan should be proportional to the value
of the business.
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The intrinsic value received by option grantees in the past should be
reasonable compared with the financial results of the business.
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Plans should deliver value on a per-employee basis when compared with
programs at peer companies.
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Plans should not permit re-pricing of stock options.
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7
Appendix B
Option Exchanges
Option exchanges are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, although they are approached with great
skepticism. Repricing is tantamount to a re-trade. We will support a repricing only if the
following conditions are true:
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Officers and board members do not participate in the program.
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The stock decline mirrors the market or industry price decline in terms of
timing and approximates the decline in magnitude.
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The exchange is value neutral or value creative to shareholders with very
conservative assumptions and a recognition of the adverse selection problems
inherent in voluntary programs.
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Management and the board make a cogent case for needing to incentivize and
retain existing employees, such as being in a competitive employment market.
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Performance Based Options
We generally recommend that shareholders vote in favor of performance-based option requirements.
We feel that executives should be compensated with equity when their performance and that of the
company warrants such rewards. We believe that boards can develop a consistent, reliable approach,
as boards of many companies have, that would attract executives who believe in their ability to
guide the company to achieve its targets.
Linking Pay with Performance
Executive compensation should be linked directly with the performance of the business the executive
is charged with managing. Glass Lewis grades companies on an A to F scale based on our analysis of
executive compensation relative to performance and that of the companys peers and will recommend
voting against the election of compensation committee members at companies that receive a grade of
F.
Director Compensation Plans
Non-employee directors should receive compensation for the time and effort they spend serving on
the board and its committees. In particular, we support compensation plans that include
equity-based awards, which help to align the interests of outside directors with those of
shareholders. Director fees should be competitive in order to retain and attract qualified
individuals.
8
Appendix B
Advisory Votes on Compensation
We closely review companies compensation practices and disclosure as outlined in their CD&As and
other company filings to evaluate management-submitted advisory compensation vote proposals. In
evaluating these non-binding proposals, we examine how well the company has disclosed information
pertinent to its compensation programs, the extent to which overall compensation is tied to
performance, the performance metrics selected by the company and the levels of compensation in
comparison to company performance and that of its peers. Glass Lewis will generally recommend
voting in favor of shareholder proposals to allow shareholders an advisory vote on compensation.
Limits on Executive Compensation
Proposals to limit executive compensation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As a general
rule, we believe that executive compensation should be left to the boards compensation committee.
We view the election of directors, and specifically those who sit on the compensation committee, as
the appropriate mechanism for shareholders to express their disapproval or support of board policy
on this issue.
Limits on Executive Stock Options
We favor the grant of options to executives. Options are a very important component of compensation
packages designed to attract and retain experienced executives and other key employees. Tying a
portion of an executives compensation to the performance of the company also provides an excellent
incentive to maximize share values by those in the best position to affect those values.
Accordingly, we typically vote against caps on executive stock options.
IV.
Governance Structure
Anti-Takeover Measures
Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)
Glass Lewis believes that poison pill plans generally are not in the best interests of
shareholders. Specifically, they can reduce management accountability by substantially limiting
opportunities for corporate takeovers. Rights plans can thus prevent shareholders from receiving
a buy-out premium for their stock.
We believe that boards should be given wide latitude in directing the activities of the company
and charting the companys course. However, on an issue such as this where the link between the
financial interests of shareholders and their right to consider and
9
Appendix B
accept buyout offers is so substantial, we believe that shareholders should be allowed to vote on
whether or not they support such a plans implementation.
In certain limited circumstances, we will support a limited poison pill to accomplish a
particular objective, such as the closing of an important merger, or a pill that contains what
we believe to be a reasonable qualifying offer clause.
Right of Shareholders to Call a Special Meeting
We will vote in favor of proposals that allow shareholders to call special meetings. In order to
prevent abuse and waste of corporate resources by a very small minority of shareholders, we
believe that such rights should be limited to a minimum threshold of at least 15% of the
shareholders requesting such a meeting.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
We will vote in favor of proposals that allow shareholders to act by written consent. In order
to prevent abuse and waste of corporate resources by a very small minority of shareholders, we
believe that such rights should be limited to a minimum threshold of at least 15% of the
shareholders requesting action by written consent.
Authorized Shares
Proposals to increase the number of authorized shares will be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. Adequate capital stock is important to the operation of a company. When analyzing a
request for additional shares, we typically review four common reasons why a company might need
additional capital stock beyond what is currently available:
|
1.
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|
Stock split
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|
|
2.
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|
Shareholder defenses
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|
|
3.
|
|
Financing for acquisitions
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|
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4.
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Financing for operations
|
Unless we find that the company has not disclosed a detailed plan for use of the proposed
shares, or where the number of shares far exceeds those needed to accomplish a detailed plan,
we typically recommend in favor of the authorization of additional shares.
10
Appendix B
Voting Structure
Cumulative Voting
Glass Lewis will vote for proposals seeking to allow cumulative voting. Cumulative voting is a
voting process that maximizes the ability of minority shareholders to ensure representation of
their views on the board. Cumulative voting generally operates as a safeguard for by ensuring that
those who hold a significant minority of shares are able to elect a candidate of their choosing to
the board.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Glass Lewis favors a simple majority voting structure. Supermajority vote requirements act as
impediments to shareholder action on ballot items that are critical to our interests. One key
example is in the takeover context where supermajority vote requirements can strongly limit
shareholders input in making decisions on such crucial matters as selling the business.
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholder proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We generally favor proposals that are
likely to increase shareholder value and/or promote and protect shareholder rights. We typically
prefer to leave decisions regarding day-to-day management of the business and policy decisions
related to political, social or environmental issues to management and the board except when we see
a clear and direct link between the proposal and some economic or financial issue for the company.
11
PART C OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.
(a)
|
(1)
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|
Third Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on October 23,
2007 (referred to herein as, PEA No. 60);
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(b)
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(1)
|
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Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (b)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registration Statement on
Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on December 17, 2007.
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(c)
|
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Reference is made to Article 5 of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of
Trust of the Registrant;
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(d)
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(1)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S. Small
Capitalization Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004 (referred to herein as, PEA
No. 46);
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(2)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Small Capitalization Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of PEA No. 46;
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|
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(3)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
Long/Short Equity Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of PEA No. 46;
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(4)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Equity Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) of PEA No. 46;
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(5)
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|
Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U. S.
Discovery Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (d)(8) of PEA No. 46;
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(6)
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|
Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S.
Large Capitalization Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) of PEA No. 46;
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(7)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S.
Large Capitalization Value Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on April 14,
2006 (referred to herein as, PEA No. 56);
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(8)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Discovery Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to
the Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on July 28,
2006 (referred to herein as, PEA No. 57);
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(9)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Mondrian
Emerging Markets Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on October 23, 2007
(referred to herein as, PEA No. 60);
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2
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(10)
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|
Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Mondrian
International Fixed Income Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of PEA No. 60;
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(11)
|
|
Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Mondrian
International Equity Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on July 30, 2008
(referred to herein as, PEA No. 65);
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(12)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Mondrian Global
Equity Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (d)(13) of PEA No. 65;
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(13)
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Management Contract between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Growth Investors
U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. filed herein;
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(14)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S.
Small Capitalization Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA Rosenberg
Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) of PEA
No. 46;
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(15)
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Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Small Capitalization Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and
AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(d)(13) of PEA No. 46;
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(16)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg Value
Long/Short Equity Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA Rosenberg
Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of PEA
No. 46;
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(17)
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Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Equity Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA Rosenberg
Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) of PEA
No. 46;
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(18)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U. S.
Discovery Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA Rosenberg Investment
Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) of PEA No. 46;
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(19)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S.
Large Capitalization Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA Rosenberg
Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) of PEA
No. 46;
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(20)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg U.S.
Large Capitalization Value Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and AXA
Rosenberg Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(22)
of Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
electronically filed with the SEC on December 22, 2005;
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(21)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of its Laudus Rosenberg
International Discovery Fund, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., AXA Rosenberg
Investment Management LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(24) of PEA
No. 57;
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(22)
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Subadviser Agreement between Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and
Mondrian Investment Partners Limited with regard to Laudus Mondrian Emerging Markets Fund
and Laudus Mondrian International Fixed Income Fund incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (d)(27) of PEA No. 60;
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(23)
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|
Amendment to the Subadviser Agreement between Charles Schwab Investment Management,
Inc. and Mondrian Investment Partners Limited with regard to Laudus Mondrian
International Equity Fund and Laudus Mondrian Global Equity Fund incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (d)(22) of PEA No. 65;
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|
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(24)
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|
Subadviser Agreement between Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and UBS
Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. with regard to Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large
Cap Growth Fund incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(24) of PEA No. 67;
|
3
(e)
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(1)
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|
Distribution Agreement by and among the Registrant, Laudus Institutional Trust, Charles
Schwab Investment Management, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (e) of PEA No. 56;
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(2)
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Amendment to the Distribution Agreement incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (e)(2) of PEA No. 65;
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(f)
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(1)
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|
Amended and Restated Laudus Funds Retirement Plan for Trustees incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (f)(1) of PEA No. 65;
|
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(g)
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(1)
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Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement by and between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
incorporated herein
by reference to
Exhibit (g) of PEA
No. 56;
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(2)
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|
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(2) of PEA No. 65;
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(3)
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|
Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Custodial Trust Company incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on July 31, 2003
(referred to herein as PEA No. 45);
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(4)
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|
Schedule of remuneration to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Custodial
Trust Company incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(4) of PEA No. 45;
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(5)
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Assignment of Custody Accounts from Custodial Trust Company to JP Morgan Chase Bank
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(5) of PEA No. 68.
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(h)
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(1)
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|
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Boston Financial Data
Services, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) of PEA No. 56;
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(2)
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Amendment to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of PEA No. 65;
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|
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(3)
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|
Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Charles Schwab Investment
Management, Inc. and the Registrant filed herein;
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(4)
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|
Administration Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the
Registrant incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of PEA No. 56;
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(5)
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|
Amendment to the Administration Agreement incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (h)(5) of PEA No. 65;
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(6)
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|
Master Fund Accounting and Services Agreement between the Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of PEA
No. 56;
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(7)
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|
Amendment to the Master Fund Accounting and Services Agreement incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) of PEA No. 65;
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(i)
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Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP regarding the validity of shares to be
issued by the Registrant filed herein;
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(j)
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(1)
|
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Consent of Auditors filed herein;
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(2)
|
|
Power of Attorney of Nils H. Hakansson incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (o)(1) of PEA No. 60;
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(3)
|
|
Power of Attorney of Mariann Byerwalter incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (o)(2) of PEA No. 60;
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|
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(4)
|
|
Power of Attorney of William A. Hasler incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (o)(3) of PEA No. 60;
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(5)
|
|
Power of Attorney of Randall W. Merk incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(o)(4) of PEA No. 60;
|
4
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(6)
|
|
Power of Attorney of George Pereira incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(o)(5) of PEA No. 60;
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|
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(7)
|
|
Power of Attorney of Jeffrey Mortimer incorporated herein by reference to PEA No.
66;
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(k)
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|
None;
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(l)
|
|
Investment letter regarding initial capital incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(23)(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A
electronically filed with the SEC on July 31, 2003;
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(m)
|
|
Amended and Restated Distribution and Shareholder Service Plan for Investor Shares
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (23)(m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-1A electronically filed with the SEC on May 28, 1999;
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(n)
|
|
Further Amended and Restated Multi-Class Plan incorporated herein by reference to PEA No.
67;
|
|
(o)
|
|
Reserved;
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(p)
|
(1)
|
|
Code of Ethics of the Registrant and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) PEA No. 67;
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Code of Ethics of AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC, investment subadviser to
certain of the Funds incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) PEA No. 67;
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Code of Ethics of ALPS Distributors, Inc., principal underwriter to the Registrant
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(3) of PEA No. 56;
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Code of Ethics of Mondrian Investment Partners LLP, investment subadviser to
certain of the Funds incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) PEA No. 67;
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Code of Ethics of UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc., investment
subadviser to the Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) PEA No. 67;
|
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
The Board of Trustees of the Registrant is identical to that of the Laudus Institutional Trust
and similar to the Board of Trustees of other Funds advised by Charles Schwab Investment
Management, Inc. However, the officers of the Fund are different. That fact, together with the fact
that the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official
position with the Fund, leads the Registrant to take the position that it is not under common
control with these other Funds.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) Indemnification
Article VIII of the Registrants Third Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
reads as follows (referring to the Registrant as the Trust):
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
SECTION 1. TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, ETC. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and
officers (including persons who serve at the Trusts request as directors, officers or trustees of
another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise)
(hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) against all liabilities and expenses, including but
not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties,
and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or
disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal,
5
before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or
may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have
been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered
Person except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally
adjudicated in any such action, suit or other proceeding to be liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Persons office. Expenses, including counsel
fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of
judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), shall be paid from time to time by the Trust in
advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is
ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article,
provided, however, that either (a) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for
such undertaking, (b) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising from any such advance
payments or (c) either a majority of the disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that
a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter), or independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts
(as opposed to a full trial type inquiry) that there is reason to believe that such Covered Person
will be found entitled to indemnification under this Article.
SECTION 2. COMPROMISE PAYMENT. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a compromise payment,
pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication by a court, or by any other body
before which the proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person is liable to the Trust or its
Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, indemnification shall be provided if (a)
approved, after notice that it involves such indemnification, by at least a majority of the
disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the disinterested Trustees
then in office act on the matter) upon a determination, based upon a review of readily available
facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry) that such Covered Person is not liable to the Trust
or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, or (b) there has been
obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based upon a review of readily
available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry) to the effect that such indemnification
would not protect such Person against any liability to the Trust to which he 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 office. Any approval pursuant to this Section shall not
prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in
accordance with this Section as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated
by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of such Covered Persons office.
SECTION 3. INDEMNIFICATION NOT EXCLUSIVE. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall
not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which such Covered Person may be entitled. As
used in this Article VIII, the term Covered Person shall include such persons heirs, executors
and administrators and a disinterested Trustee is a Trustee who is not an interested person of
the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (or who
has been exempted from being an interested person by any rule, regulation or order of the
Commission) and against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action,
suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing
contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the
Trust, other than Trustees or officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise
under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any
such person; provided, however, that the Trust shall not purchase or maintain any such liability
insurance in contravention of applicable law, including without limitation the 1940 Act.
SECTION 4. SHAREHOLDERS. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held to be
personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder and not because
of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or
his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of a
corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled to be held
harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability, but only
out of the assets of the particular series of Shares of which he or she is or was a Shareholder.
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
The Registrants investment adviser, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, organized in October 1989, also serves as the investment manager to the Laudus
Institutional Trust, Schwab Capital Trust, The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments,
and Schwab Annuity Portfolios, each an open-end, management investment company. The principal place
of business of the investment adviser is 211 Main Street, San Francisco, California 94105. The only
business in which the investment adviser engages is that of investment adviser and administrator to
the Schwab Capital Trust, The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Annuity
Portfolios and any other investment companies that Schwab may sponsor in the future, investment
adviser to the Registrant and the Laudus Institutional Trust and an investment adviser to certain
non-investment company clients.
6
The business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each
director and/or senior or executive officer of the investment adviser (CSIM) is or has been engaged
during the past two fiscal years is listed below. The name of any company for which any director
and/or senior or executive officer of the investment adviser serves as director, officer, employee,
partner or trustee is also listed below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connection with
|
Name and Position with Adviser
|
|
Name of Company
|
|
Other Company
|
Charles R. Schwab, Chairman
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
The Charles Schwab Bank, N.A.
|
|
Chairman, Director
|
|
|
The Charles Schwab Corporation
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
Schwab Holdings, Inc.
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Schwab International Holdings, Inc.
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Schwab (SIS) Holdings, Inc.
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Charles Schwab Holdings (UK)
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
Schwab Funds
|
|
Trustee and Chairman
|
|
|
U.S. Trust Corporation
|
|
Chairman, Director
|
|
|
All Kinds of Minds
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Stanford University
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall W. Merk
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
|
|
Executive Vice President and President,
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer, Director
|
|
|
|
Investment Management Services
|
|
|
Schwab Funds
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Laudus Trust
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
Laudus Institutional Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds, PLC
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Schwab Asset Management
|
|
Director
|
|
|
(Ireland) Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Inc.
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Koji Felton
|
|
Schwab Funds
|
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
|
Senior Vice President, Chief
|
|
|
|
|
Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
|
|
Senior Vice President, Deputy
General Counsel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust
|
|
Chief Legal Officer
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Inc.
|
|
Chief Legal Officer
|
|
|
Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Pereira
|
|
Schwab Funds
|
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
|
Senior Vice President and Chief
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer
|
|
Laudus Trust and Laudus
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
Institutional Trust
|
|
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Inc.
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
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|
|
Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc.
|
|
Chief Accounting Officer
|
|
|
Excelsior Funds Trust
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connection with
|
Name and Position with Adviser
|
|
Name of Company
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Other Company
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Mutual Fund Division, UST Advisers, Inc.
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Chief Financial Officer
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Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds, PLC
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Director
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Charles Schwab Asset Management
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(Ireland) Limited
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Director
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Jeffrey M. Mortimer
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Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust
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President and Chief Investment Officer
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Senior Vice President and Chief
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Investment Officer
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Schwab Funds
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Senior Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer
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Bari Havlik Chief Compliance Officer
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Schwab Funds
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Chief Compliance Officer
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Laudus Trust and Laudus Institutional Trust
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Chief Compliance Officer
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Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
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Senior Vice President
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AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC (AXA) was organized as a limited liability company
under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1998, and is registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. AXA provides investment advisory services to a substantial
number of institutional investors and to this Trust. With respect to AXA, the response to this Item
is incorporated by reference to AXAs Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration C
(Form ADV) on file with the SEC. AXAs Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SECs
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Mondrian Investment Partners Limited (Mondrian) was established as a limited company
organized under the laws of England and Wales in 1990 under the name Delaware International
Advisers Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware Holdings, Inc. In 2004, a senior
management team, together with private equity funds sponsored by Hellman & Friedman LLC, acquired
Delaware International Advisers Limited and changed its name to Mondrian Investment Partners
Limited. Mondrian is currently 61% owned by its senior employees, including the majority of
investment professionals, senior client service officers, and senior operations personnel, and 39%
owned by private equity funds affiliated with Hellman & Friedman, LLC. Mondrians principal office
is located at Fifth Floor 10 Gresham Street London EC2V 7JD. Hellman & Friedmans principal office
is located at One Maritime Plaza, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111. Mondrian is registered as an
investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Mondrian provides investment advisory
services to a substantial number of institutional and high net worth investors, as well as to
several funds in this Trust and the Laudus Institutional Trust. With respect to Mondrian, the
response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Mondrians Uniform Application for
Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC. Mondrians Form ADV may be
obtained, free of charge, at the SECs website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (UBS Global AM) provides investment advisory
services consisting of portfolio management for a variety of individuals and institutions, as well
as to Laudus Growth Investors U.S. Large Cap Growth Fund. With respect to UBS Global AM, the
response to this Item will be incorporated by reference to the UBS Global AMs Uniform Application
for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC. UBS Global AMs Form ADV may
be obtained, free of charge, at the SECs website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
(a) The sole principal underwriter for each series of the Registrant is ALPS Distributors, Inc.
(ALPS) which acts as distributor for the Registrant and the following other funds: AARP Funds,
Agile Funds, Ameristock Mutual Fund, Inc., BLDRS Index Fund Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds,
DIAMONDS Trust, Drake Funds, Financial Investors Trust, Financial Investors Variable Insurance
Trust, First Funds, Firsthand Funds, Forward Funds, Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund,
MidCap SPDR Trust, Milestone Funds, Nasdaq-100 Trust, PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust,
Select Sector SPDR Trust, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, Stonebridge Funds Trust,
Utopia Funds, W. P. Stewart Funds, Wasatch Funds, Westcore Trust and Williams Capital Management
Trust.
8
ALPS is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a
member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. ALPS is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite
1100, Denver, CO 80203.
(b) Information with respect to ALPS directors and officers is as follows:
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Positions and
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Positions and Offices
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Offices
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Name
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with Underwriter
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with Registrant
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Edmund J. Burke
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President
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None
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Thomas A. Carter
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Managing Director Business Development, Director
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None
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Jeremy O. May
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Managing
Director Operations and Client Service; Assistant Secretary, Director
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None
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John C. Donaldson
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Chief Financial Officer
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None
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Robert J. Szydlowski
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Chief Technology Officer
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None
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Diana Adams
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Vice President, Controller, Treasurer
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None
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Tane T. Tyler
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General Counsel, Secretary
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None
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Bradley J. Swenson
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Chief Compliance Officer
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None
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The principal business address of all directors and officers of ALPS is 1625 Broadway, Suite
2200, Denver, Colorado, 80202.
(c) None
ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940
Act, as amended, and the Rules thereunder will be maintained at the offices of:
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1)
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Laudus Trust, 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
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2)
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Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., 211 Main Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
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|
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3)
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Mondrian Investment Partners Limited, 10 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7JD
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4)
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AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC 4 Orinda Way, Building E, Orinda, CA 94563
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5)
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State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA 02103
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6)
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Boston Financial Data Services, P.O. Box 8032, Boston, Massachusetts 02266
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7)
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ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1625 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, Colorado 80202
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8)
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UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc., One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
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9)
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Custodial Trust Company, 101 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540
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ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
None.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS.
Not applicable.
9
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for the effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to Registrants
Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly
authorized, in the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on this 26th day of October,
2009.
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LAUDUS TRUST
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By:
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Jeffrey Mortimer*
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Jeffrey Mortimer
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Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Investment Officer & President
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Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to
Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities indicated this 26th day of October, 2009.
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|
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Signature
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Title
|
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Jeffrey Mortimer*
Jeffrey Mortimer
|
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Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Investment Officer & President
|
|
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George Pereira*
George Pereira
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Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
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|
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Randall W. Merk*
Randall W. Merk
|
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Trustee
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|
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Mariann Byerwalter*
Mariann Byerwalter
|
|
Trustee
|
|
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Nils H. Hakansson*
Nils H. Hakansson
|
|
Trustee
|
|
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William A. Hasler*
William A. Hasler
|
|
Trustee
|
|
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*By:
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/s/ Timothy W. Levin
|
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Timothy W. Levin, Attorney-in-Fact
|
|
|
|
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Pursuant to Power of Attorney
|
|
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Exhibit Index
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(d)(13)
|
|
Management Contract
|
|
|
|
(h)(3)
|
|
Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion of Counsel
|
|
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(j)
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young
|
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