As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
February 27, 2012
1933 Act Registration No. 33-17619
1940 Act Registration No. 811-05349
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
þ
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
o
Post-Effective
Amendment No. 312
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and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
þ
Amendment No. 313
þ
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (312) 655-4400
PETER V. BONANNO, ESQ.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
STEPHEN H. BIER, ESQ.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of
the registration statement
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
þ
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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o
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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Title of Securities Being Registered:
Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares, Class R Shares and Class IR Shares of the
Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
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Prospectus
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February 29,
2012
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GOLDMAN
SACHS SELECT SATELLITE FUNDS
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n
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Goldman Sachs
Managed Futures Strategy Fund
n
Class A
Shares: GMSAX
n
Class C
Shares: GMSCX
n
Institutional
Shares: GMSSX
n
Class IR
Shares: GFIRX
n
Class R
Shares: GFFRX
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THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
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AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT
INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND INVOLVES
INVESTMENT RISKS, AND YOU MAY LOSE MONEY IN THE FUND.
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Table of
Contents
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1
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Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund
Summary
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8
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Investment Management Approach
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13
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Risks of the Fund
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23
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Service Providers
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28
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Dividends
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29
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Shareholder Guide
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29
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How
To Buy Shares
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43
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How
To Sell Shares
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55
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Taxation
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58
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Appendix A
Additional Information on
Portfolio Risks, Securities
and Techniques
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84
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Appendix B
Financial Highlights
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NOT FDIC-INSURED
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May Lose Value
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No Bank Guarantee
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Goldman
Sachs Managed Futures Strategy FundSummary
Investment
Objective
The Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the
Fund) seeks to generate long-term absolute return.
Fees and
Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales
charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and
your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least
$50,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and
other discounts is available from your financial professional
and in Shareholder GuideCommon Questions Applicable
to the Purchase of Class A Shares beginning on
page 37 of this Prospectus and Other Information
Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions,
Exchanges and Dividends beginning on page B-74 of the
Funds statement of additional information
(SAI).
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Class A
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Class C
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Institutional
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Class
IR
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Class R
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Shareholder Fees
(Fees paid directly from your
investment)
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a
percentage of offering price)
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5.50
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%
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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Maximum
Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of
original purchase price or sale
proceeds)
1
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No
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ne
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1.00
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%
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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Class A
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Class C
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Institutional
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Class
IR
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Class R
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as
a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fees
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1.00
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%
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1.00
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%
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1.00
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%
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1.00
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%
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1.00
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%
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Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25
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%
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1.00
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%
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No
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ne
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No
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ne
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0.50
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%
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Other
Expenses
2
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0.66
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%
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0.66
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%
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0.51
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%
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0.66
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%
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0.66
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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1.91
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%
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2.66
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%
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1.51
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%
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1.66
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%
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2.16
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%
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Expense
Limitation
3
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(0.37
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)%
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(0.37
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)%
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(0.37
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)%
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(0.37
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)%
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(0.37
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)%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense
Limitation
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1.54
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%
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2.29
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%
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1.14
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%
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1.29
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%
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1.79
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%
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1
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A contingent deferred sales
charge (CDSC) of 1% is imposed on Class C
Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
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2
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The Funds Other
Expenses have been estimated to reflect expenses expected
to be incurred during the first fiscal year.
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3
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The Investment Adviser has
agreed to reduce or limit Other Expenses (excluding
management fees, distribution and service fees, acquired fund
fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses,
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1
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taxes, interest, brokerage
fees, litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other
extraordinary expenses, exclusive of any custody and transfer
agent fee credit reductions) to 0.104% of the Funds
average daily net assets through at least April 29, 2013,
and prior to such date, the Investment Adviser may not terminate
the arrangement without the approval of the Board of
Trustees.
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Expense
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of
investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual
funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A,
Class C, Institutional, Class IR
and/or
Class R Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated
and then redeem all of your Class A, Class C,
Institutional, Class IR
and/or
Class R Shares at the end of those periods. The Example
also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and
that the Funds operating expenses remain the same (except
that the Example incorporates the expense limitation arrangement
for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be
higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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Class A Shares
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$
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698
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$
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1,083
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Class C Shares
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Assuming complete redemption at end of period
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$
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332
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$
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791
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Assuming no redemption
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$
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232
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$
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791
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Institutional Shares
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$
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116
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$
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441
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Class IR Shares
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$
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131
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$
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487
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Class R Shares
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$
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182
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$
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640
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Portfolio
Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells
securities or instruments (
i.e.
, turns
over its portfolio). A high rate of portfolio turnover may
result in increased transaction costs, including brokerage
commissions, which must be borne by the Fund and its
shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term
capital gains for taxable shareholders. These costs are not
reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense
example above, but are reflected in the Funds performance.
Principal
Strategy
The Fund implements a trend-following strategy that takes long
and/or
short
positions in a wide range of asset classes, including equities,
fixed income, and currencies, among others, to seek long-term
absolute return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities,
equity index futures, bonds, bond futures, equity swaps,
interest rate swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable
forwards, options, exchange traded funds (ETFs), and
structured securities. As a result of the Funds use of
derivatives, the Fund may also hold significant amounts of
U.S. Treasuries or short-term investments, including money
2
market funds, repurchase agreements, cash and time deposits. The
Funds investments will be made without restriction as to
issuer capitalization, country, currency, maturity, or credit
rating.
The Investment Adviser seeks to identify price trends in various
asset classes over short-, medium-, and long-term horizons via a
proprietary investment model. Upon identifying a trend in a
given instrument or asset, the Fund will take a long or short
position in the instrument or asset. Long positions benefit from
an increase in price of the underlying instrument or asset,
while short positions benefit from a decrease in price of the
underlying instrument or asset. The size of the Funds
position in an instrument or asset will primarily be related to
the strength of the overall trend identified by the investment
model.
The Fund may implement short positions and may do so by using
swaps or futures, or through short sales of any instrument that
the Fund may purchase for investment. For example, the Fund may
enter into a futures contract pursuant to which it agrees to
sell an asset (that it does not currently own) at a specified
price at a specified point in the future. This gives the Fund a
short position with respect to that asset.
The Fund may use leverage (e.g., by borrowing or through
derivatives). As a result, the sum of the Funds investment
exposures may at times exceed the amount of assets invested in
the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time.
The Fund may take long and/or short positions in commodities by
investing in other investment companies, ETFs or other pooled
investment vehicles. Although it does not currently intend to do
so, the Fund may also invest through a wholly-owned subsidiary,
which would be advised by the Investment Adviser and would have
the same investment objective as the Fund or in commodity-linked
notes. Such investments would be made only to the extent
permissible under applicable law then in effect, or in reliance
upon a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), or other applicable guidance or relief
provided by the IRS or other agencies.
THE FUND IS NON-DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED (INVESTMENT
COMPANY ACT), AND MAY INVEST MORE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER
ISSUERS THAN DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.
Principal
Risks of the Fund
Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment
in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) or any government agency. The Fund should not
be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Absence of Regulation.
The Fund engages in
over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, which trade in
a dealer network, rather than on an exchange. In general, there
is less governmental regulation and supervision of transactions
in the OTC markets than of transactions entered into on
organized exchanges.
3
Call Risk.
An issuer could exercise its right
to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund earlier than
expected. This may happen when there is a decline in interest
rates. Under these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to
recoup all of its initial investment and will also suffer from
having to reinvest in lower yielding securities.
CFTC Regulation Risk.
The Fund has
claimed an exemption, which is available to registered
investment companies, from regulation as a commodity pool
operator under Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(CFTC) Rule 4.5. However, the CFTC has recently
adopted amendments to CFTC Rule 4.5, which, when effective,
may subject the Fund to regulation by the CFTC. When these
amendments become effective, the Fund may consider significant
changes, which could include substantially altering its
principal investment strategies (
e.g.
, by reducing
substantially the Funds exposure to the commodities
markets) in order to continue to qualify for the exemption from
regulation in CFTC Rule 4.5. Alternatively, the Fund may
determine to operate subject to applicable CFTC requirements,
including registration, disclosure and operational requirements
governing commodity pools under the Commodity Exchange Act
(CEA). Compliance with these additional requirements
would increase Fund expenses. Certain of the rules that would
apply to the Fund if it becomes subject to CFTC regulation as a
commodity pool have not yet been adopted, and it is unclear what
the effect of those rules would be on the Fund if they are
adopted.
Commodity Sector Risk.
To the extent that the
Fund gains exposure to the commodities markets, such exposure to
the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater
volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value
of commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in
overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in
interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or
commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease,
embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and
regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial
metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector
commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes
in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory
policies. Some of the commodity-linked investments in which the
Fund may invest may be issued by companies in the financial
services sector, and events affecting the financial services
sector may cause the Funds share value to fluctuate.
Counterparty Risk.
Many of the protections
afforded to participants on some organized exchanges, such as
the performance guarantee of an exchange clearing house, might
not be available in connection with OTC transactions. Therefore,
in those instances in which the Fund enters into OTC
transactions, the Fund will be subject to the risk that its
direct counterparty will not perform its obligations under the
transactions and that the Fund will sustain losses.
Credit/Default Risk.
An issuer or guarantor
of fixed income securities held by the Fund (which may have low
credit ratings) may default on its obligation to pay interest or
repay principal. Additionally, the credit quality of securities
may deteriorate rapidly, which may impair the Funds
liquidity and cause significant net asset value
(NAV) deterioration. To the extent that the Fund
invests in non-investment grade fixed income securities, these
risks will be more pronounced.
4
Derivatives Risk.
Loss may result from the
Funds investments in futures, swaps, forwards, options,
structured securities and other derivative instruments. These
instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce
disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also
subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other
party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual
obligation.
Foreign and Emerging Countries Risk.
Foreign
securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or
less foreign government regulation, less public information and
less economic, political and social stability in the countries
in which the Fund invests. Loss may also result from the
imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other
government restrictions, or from problems in registration,
settlement or custody. Foreign risk also involves the risk of
negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. To the extent that
the Fund also invests in securities of issuers located in
emerging markets, these risks will be more pronounced, which may
cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign
currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has
exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency
exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of
time.
Interest Rate Risk.
When interest rates
increase, fixed income securities held by the Fund will
generally decline in value. Long-term fixed income securities
will normally have more price volatility because of this risk
than short-term fixed income securities.
Investment Style Risk.
Different investment
styles (e.g., growth, value or
quantitative) tend to shift in and out of favor
depending upon market and economic conditions and investor
sentiment. The Fund employs a quantitative style,
and may outperform or underperform other funds that invest in
similar asset classes but employ different investment styles.
Additionally, managed futures strategies have historically
offered weaker performance in range-bound or highly volatile
markets.
Leverage Risk.
Borrowing and the use of
derivatives result in leverage, which can magnify the effects of
changes in the value of the Fund and make it more volatile. The
use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio
positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset
segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do
so.
Liquidity Risk.
The Fund may make investments
that may be illiquid or that may become less liquid in response
to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid
investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may
also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay
redemption proceeds within the allowable time period because of
unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of
redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption
requests, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at an
unfavorable time
and/or
under
unfavorable conditions.
Market Risk.
The value of the securities in
which the Fund invests may go up or down in response to the
prospects of individual companies, particular sectors or
governments
and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods.
5
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is
non-diversified and is permitted to invest more of its assets in
fewer issuers than a diversified mutual fund. Thus,
the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments
affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be
more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.
Non-Hedging Foreign Currency Trading
Risk.
The Fund may engage in forward foreign
currency transactions for speculative purposes through the use
of forward contracts. Forward foreign currency transactions may
enable the Fund to profit from anticipated movements in currency
rates by establishing long
and/or
short positions in forward contracts on various
foreign currencies. Foreign exchange rates can be extremely
volatile and a variance in the degree of volatility of the
market or in the direction of the market from that anticipated
by the Investment Adviser may produce significant losses to the
Fund. Some of these transactions may also be subject to interest
rate risk.
Short Position Risk.
The Fund may enter into
a short derivative position through a futures contract or swap
agreement or by shorting a security directly. Taking short
positions involves leverage of the Funds assets and
presents various risks. If the price of the instrument or market
on which the Fund has taken a short position increases, then the
Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the
time that the short position was entered into plus any premiums
and interest paid to a third party. Therefore, taking short
positions involves the risk that losses may be exaggerated,
potentially losing more money than the actual cost of the
investment. Also, there is the risk that the third party to the
short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss
to the Fund.
Stock Risk.
Stock prices have historically
risen and fallen in periodic cycles. U.S. and foreign stock
markets have experienced periods of substantial price volatility
in the past and may do so again in the future.
Tax Risk.
The tax treatment of
commodity-linked investments
and/or
investment through a subsidiary may be adversely affected by
future legislation, Treasury Regulations
and/or
guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character,
timing
and/or
amount of the Funds taxable income or any gains and
distributions made by the Fund.
U.S. Government Securities Risk.
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.
U.S. Government Securities issued by the Federal National
Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and the Federal
Home Loan Banks chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. It
is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet
their payment obligations in the future.
6
Performance
As the Fund had not yet commenced investment operations as of
the date of this Prospectus, there is no performance information
quoted for the Fund.
Portfolio
Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser
for the Fund (the Investment Adviser or
GSAM).
Portfolio Managers:
William Fallon, Ph.D., Managing
Director, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Quantitative Investment
Strategies Research, has managed the Fund since 2012; Steve
Jeneste, CFA, Managing Director, has managed the Fund since 2012.
Buying
and Selling Fund Shares
The minimum initial investment for Class A and Class C
Shares is, generally, $1,000. The minimum initial investment for
Institutional Shares is, generally, $10,000,000 for individual
investors and $1,000,000 alone or in combination with other
assets under the management of the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates for certain other types of investors. There may be no
minimum for initial purchases of Institutional Shares for
certain retirement accounts or for initial purchases of
Class IR and Class R Shares.
The minimum subsequent investment for Class A and
Class C shareholders is $50, except for employer sponsored
benefit plans, for which there is no minimum. There is no
minimum subsequent investment for Institutional, Class IR
or Class R shareholders.
You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any
business day through certain brokers, investment advisers and
other financial institutions (Authorized
Institutions).
Tax
Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as
ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing
through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an
individual retirement account. Investments through tax-deferred
arrangements may become taxable upon withdrawal from such
arrangements.
Payments
to Brokers-Dealers and other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through an Authorized Institution, the
Fund and/or its related companies may pay the Authorized
Institution for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
the Authorized Institution and your salesperson to recommend the
Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
Authorized Institutions website for more information.
7
Investment Management Approach
The Managed Futures Strategy Fund seeks to generate long-term
absolute return. The Funds investment objective may be
changed without shareholder approval upon sixty days notice.
|
|
|
PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
|
Managed
Futures Strategy Fund
The Fund implements a trend-following strategy that takes long
and/or
short
positions in a wide range of asset classes, including equities,
fixed income, and currencies, among others, to seek long-term
absolute return. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities,
equity index futures, bonds, bond futures, equity swaps,
interest rate swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable
forwards, options, ETFs, and structured securities. As a result
of the Funds use of derivatives, the Fund may also hold
significant amounts of U.S. Treasuries or short-term
investments, including money market funds, repurchase
agreements, cash and time deposits. The Funds investments
will be made without restriction as to issuer capitalization,
country, currency, maturity or credit rating.
The Fund may implement short positions and may do so by using
swaps or futures, or through short sales of any instrument that
the Fund may purchase for investment. For example, the Fund may
enter into a futures contract pursuant to which it agrees to
sell an asset (that it does not currently own) at a specified
price at a specified point in the future. This gives the Fund a
short position with respect to that asset.
The Investment Adviser seeks to identify price trends in various
asset classes over short-, medium-, and long-term horizons via a
proprietary investment model. Upon identifying a trend in a
given instrument or asset, the Fund will take a long or short
position in the instrument or asset. Long positions benefit from
an increase in price of the underlying instrument or asset,
while short positions benefit from a decrease in price of the
underlying instrument or asset. The size of the Funds
position in an instrument or asset will primarily be related to
the strength of the overall trend identified by the investment
model.
The Fund may use leverage (e.g., by borrowing or through
derivatives). As a result, the sum of the Funds investment
exposures may exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund,
although these exposures may vary over time.
8
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
The Fund may take long and/or short positions in commodities by
investing in other investment companies, ETFs or other pooled
investment vehicles. Although it does not currently intend to do
so, the Fund may also invest through a wholly-owned subsidiary,
which would be advised by the Investment Adviser and would have
the same investment objective as the Fund, or in
commodity-linked notes. Such investments would be made only to
the extent permissible under applicable law then in effect, or
in reliance upon a private letter ruling from the IRS, or other
applicable guidance or relief provided by the IRS or other
agencies.
The Investment Adviser uses derivatives, including futures,
swaps, and forwards, among others, to implement long and short
positions.
In considering whether to maintain an existing position, the
Investment Adviser will take into account a number of factors
including, without limitation, the Investment Advisers
views on future performance of the position and the Funds
liquidity and/or risk diversification profile.
The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive
positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, political
or other conditions. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund
may invest a certain percentage of its total assets in
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (U.S.
Government Securities), commercial paper rated at least
A-2
by
Standard & Poors Ratings Services
(Standard & Poors),
P-2
by
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys)
or having a comparable rating from another nationally recognized
statistical rating organization (NRSRO) (or if
unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of
comparable quality), certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances, repurchase agreements, non-convertible preferred
stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining
maturity of less than one year, certain ETFs and other
investment companies and cash items.
When the Funds
assets are invested in such instruments, the Fund may not be
achieving its investment objective.
THE FUND IS NON-DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT, AND MAY INVEST MORE OF ITS ASSETS IN
FEWER ISSUERS THAN DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.
GSAM serves as investment adviser to the Fund. GSAM is referred
to in this Prospectus as the Investment Adviser.
|
|
|
OTHER INVESTMENT
PRACTICES AND SECURITIES
|
The tables below identify some of the investment techniques that
may (but are not required to) be used by the Fund in seeking to
achieve its investment objectives.
9
Numbers in these tables show allowable usage only; for actual
usage, consult the Funds annual/semi-annual reports (when
available). For more information about these and other
investment practices and securities, see Appendix A.
The Fund publishes on its website
(http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com)
complete portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar
quarter subject to a fifteen day lag between the date of
the information and the date on which the information is
disclosed. This information will be available on the website
until the date on which the Fund files its next quarterly
portfolio holdings report on
Form N-CSR
or Form
N-Q
with the SEC. In addition, a description of the Funds
policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the
Funds portfolio holdings is available in the Funds
SAI.
10
INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
|
|
|
10
Percent
of total assets (including securities lending collateral)
(italic type)
|
10
Percent
of net assets (excluding borrowings for investment purposes)
(roman type)
|
No
specific percentage limitation on usage;
|
|
Managed
Futures
|
limited
only by the strategies
|
|
Strategy
|
of
the Fund
|
|
Fund
|
Investment Practices
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
33
1
/
3
|
|
|
|
Credit, Currency, Equity, Index, Interest Rate, Total Return and
Mortgage Swaps and Options on
Swaps
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cross Hedging of Currencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct Equity Investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Transactions (including forward contracts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures Contracts and Options and Swaps on Futures Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Company Securities (including
ETFs)
**
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
Options on Foreign
Currencies
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options on Securities and Securities
Indices
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Limited to 15% of net assets
(together with other illiquid securities) for all investments
that are not deemed liquid.
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
This percentage limitation does
not apply to the Funds investments in investment companies
(including ETFs) where a higher percentage limitation is
permitted under the terms of an SEC exemptive order or SEC
exemptive rule.
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
The Fund may purchase and sell
call and put options on foreign currencies.
|
2
|
|
The Fund may sell covered call
and put options and purchase call and put options on securities
and securities indices in which it may invest.
|
11
|
|
|
10
Percent
of total assets (excluding securities lending collateral)
(italic type)
|
10
Percent
of Net Assets (including borrowings for investment purposes)
(roman type)
|
No
specific percentage limitation on usage;
|
|
Managed
Futures
|
limited
only by the objectives and strategies
|
|
Strategy
|
of
the Fund
|
|
Fund
|
Investment Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank
Obligations
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity-linked
Derivative
Instruments
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depositary Receipts
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emerging Country Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Income Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income
Securities
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
Structured Securities (which may include equity-linked
notes)
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Temporary Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yield Curve Options and Inverse Floating Rate Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Limited to 15% of net assets
(together with other illiquid securities) for all investments
that are not deemed liquid.
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Issued by U.S. or foreign
banks.
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
May be BB+ or lower by Standard
& Poors or Ba1 or lower by Moodys or have a
comparable rating by another NRSRO at the time of
investment.
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
The Fund may invest in
Commodity-Linked Derivative Instruments only to the extent
permissible under applicable law then in effect or in reliance
upon a private letter ruling from the IRS, or other applicable
guidance or relief provided by the IRS or other
agencies.
|
12
Risks of the Fund
Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment
in the Fund is not a bank deposit of any bank and is not insured
or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency. The
principal risks of the Fund are discussed in the Summary section
of this Prospectus. The following gives additional information
on the risks that apply to the Fund and may result in a loss of
your investment. The Fund should not be relied upon as a
complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will achieve its investment objective.
|
|
|
|
|
Managed
Futures
|
ü
Principal
Risk
|
|
Strategy
|
Additional
Risk
|
|
Fund
|
Absence of Regulation
|
|
ü
|
Call
|
|
ü
|
CFTC Regulation Risk
|
|
ü
|
Commodity Sector
|
|
ü
|
Counterparty
|
|
ü
|
Credit/Default
|
|
ü
|
Derivatives
|
|
ü
|
Emerging Countries
|
|
ü
|
Extension
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
ü
|
Geographic
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
ü
|
Investment Style
|
|
ü
|
Leverage
|
|
ü
|
Liquidity
|
|
ü
|
Management
|
|
|
Market
|
|
ü
|
Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed
|
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
Non-Diversification
|
|
ü
|
Non-Hedging Foreign Currency Trading
|
|
ü
|
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities
|
|
|
Short Position
|
|
ü
|
Sovereign
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
ü
|
Subsidiary
|
|
|
Swaps
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
ü
|
U.S. Government Securities
|
|
ü
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Absence of
Regulation
The
Fund engages in OTC transactions. In general, there is less
governmental regulation and supervision of transactions in the
OTC markets (in which option contracts and certain options on
swaps are generally traded) than of transactions entered into on
organized exchanges.
|
13
|
|
n
|
Call
Risk
An issuer
could exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held
by the Fund (such as a mortgage-backed security) earlier than
expected. This may happen when there is a decline in interest
rates. Under these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to
recoup all of its initial investment and will also suffer from
having to reinvest in lower yielding securities.
|
|
|
n
|
CFTC
Regulation Risk
The
Fund has claimed an exemption, which is available to registered
investment companies, from regulation as a commodity pool
operator under CFTC Rule 4.5. However, the CFTC has
recently adopted amendments to CFTC Rule 4.5, which, when
effective, may subject the Fund to regulation by the CFTC. When
these amendments become effective, the Fund may consider
significant changes, which could include substantially altering
its principal investment strategies (
e.g.
, by reducing
substantially the Funds exposure to the commodities
markets) in order to continue to qualify for the exemption from
regulation in CFTC Rule 4.5. Alternatively, the Fund may
determine to operate subject to applicable CFTC requirements,
including registration, disclosure and operational requirements
governing commodity pools under the CEA. Compliance with these
additional requirements would increase Fund expenses. Certain of
the rules that would apply to the Fund if it becomes subject to
CFTC regulation as a commodity pool have not yet been adopted,
and it is unclear what the effect of those rules would be on the
Fund if they are adopted.
|
|
|
n
|
Commodity Sector
Risk
To the
extent that the Fund gains exposure to the commodities markets,
such exposure may subject the Fund to greater volatility than
investments in traditional securities. The value of
commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in
overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in
interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or
commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease,
embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and
regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial
metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector
commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes
in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory
policies. The energy sector can be significantly affected by
changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy
fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects,
and tax and other government regulations, policies of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and
oil-importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by
sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global
economic, financial and political factors, resource
availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in
inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries,
interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by
governments, central banks or international agencies, investment
speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply
and demand. Some commodity-linked investments are issued by
companies in the financial services
|
14
RISKS
OF THE FUND
|
|
|
sector, including the banking, brokerage and insurance sectors.
As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services
sector may cause the Funds share value to fluctuate.
Although investments in commodities typically move in different
directions than traditional equity and debt securities when the
value of those traditional securities is declining due to
adverse economic conditions, there is no guarantee that these
investments will perform in that manner and at certain times the
price movements of commodity-linked investments have been
parallel to those of debt and equity securities.
|
|
|
n
|
Counterparty
Risk
Many of
the protections afforded to participants on some organized
exchanges, such as the performance guarantee of an exchange
clearing house, might not be available in connection with OTC
transactions. Therefore, in those instances in which the Fund
enters into OTC transactions, the Fund will be subject to the
risk that its direct counterparty will not perform its
obligations under the transactions and that the Fund will
sustain losses.
|
n
|
Credit/Default
Risk
An issuer
or guarantor of fixed income securities or instruments held by
the Fund (which may have low credit ratings) may default on its
obligation to pay interest and repay principal. The credit
quality of the Funds portfolio securities or instruments
may meet the Funds credit quality requirements at the time
of purchase but then deteriorate thereafter, and such
deterioration can occur rapidly. In certain instances, the
downgrading or default of a single holding or guarantor of the
Funds holding may impair the Funds liquidity and
have the potential to cause significant net asset value
(NAV) deterioration.
|
n
|
Derivatives
Risk
Loss may
result from the Funds investments in options, forwards,
futures, swaps, options on swaps, structured securities and
other derivative instruments. These instruments may be illiquid,
difficult to price and leveraged so that small changes may
produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are
also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the
other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual
obligation. Losses from investments in derivatives can result
from a lack of correlation between the value of those
derivatives and the value of the portfolio assets (if any) being
hedged. In addition, there is a risk that the performance of the
derivatives or other instruments used by the Investment Adviser
to replicate the performance of a particular asset class may not
accurately track the performance of that asset class.
Derivatives are also subject to liquidity risk and risks arising
from margin requirements. There is also risk of loss if the
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing
or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or
currency prices. Futures markets are highly volatile and the use
of futures may increase the volatility of the Funds NAV.
|
|
|
n
|
Emerging Countries
Risk
The
securities markets of most emerging countries are less liquid,
are especially subject to greater price volatility, have smaller
market capitalizations, have more or less government regulation
and are not subject to as
|
15
extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting
requirements as the securities markets of more developed
countries. Further, investment in equity securities of issuers
located in certain emerging countries involves risk of loss
resulting from problems in share registration and custody and
substantial economic and political disruptions. These risks are
not normally associated with investment in more developed
countries.
|
|
n
|
Foreign
Risk
When the
Fund invests in foreign securities, it may be subject to risk of
loss not typically associated with domestic issuers. Loss may
result because of more or less foreign government regulation,
less public information and less economic, political and social
stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. Loss may
also result from, among others, a slow U.S. economy, regional
and global conflicts, the imposition of exchange controls,
confiscations and other government restrictions, or from
problems in registration, settlement or custody. The Fund will
also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate
fluctuations. To the extent that the Fund also invests in
securities of issuers located in emerging markets, these risks
will be more pronounced, which may cause the value of securities
denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments
through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to
decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate
significantly over short periods of time.
|
|
|
n
|
Geographic
Risk
Concentration
of the investments of the Fund in issuers located in a
particular country or region will subject the Fund, to a greater
extent than if investments were less concentrated, to the risks
of volatile economic cycles
and/or
conditions and developments that may be particular to that
country or region such as: adverse securities markets; adverse
exchange rates; social, political, regulatory, economic or
environmental developments; or natural disasters.
|
|
|
n
|
Interest Rate
Risk
When
interest rates increase, fixed income securities or instruments
held by the Fund (which may include inflation protected
securities) will generally decline in value. Long-term fixed
income securities or instruments will normally have more price
volatility because of this risk than short-term fixed income
securities or instruments.
|
|
|
n
|
Investment Style
Risk
Different
investment styles (
e.g.
, growth,
value or quantitative) tend to shift in
and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions
and investor sentiment. The Fund employs a
quantitative style, and may outperform or
underperform other funds that invest in similar asset classes
but employ different investment styles. Additionally, managed
futures strategies have historically offered weaker performance
in range-bound or highly volatile markets.
|
|
|
n
|
Leverage
Risk
Leverage
creates exposure to gains in a greater amount than the dollar
amount made in an investment by enhancing return or value
without increasing the investment amount. Borrowing and the use
of derivatives result in leverage, which can magnify the effects
of changes in the value of the Fund and
|
16
RISKS
OF THE FUND
|
|
|
make it more volatile. Relatively small market movements may
result in large changes in the value of a leveraged investment.
The Fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets or otherwise
cover transactions that may give rise to such risk, to the
extent required by applicable law. The use of leverage may cause
the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its
obligations or to meet segregation requirements when it may not
be advantageous to do so.
|
|
|
n
|
Liquidity
Risk
The Fund
may invest to a greater degree in securities or instruments that
trade in lower volumes and may make investments that are less
liquid than other investments. Also, the Fund may make
investments that may become less liquid in response to market
developments or adverse investor perceptions. Investments that
are illiquid or that trade in lower volumes may be more
difficult to value. While the Fund endeavors to maintain a high
level of liquidity in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio
securities can deteriorate rapidly due to credit events
affecting issuers or guarantors or due to general market
conditions and a lack of willing buyers. When there is no
willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the
desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price
or may not be able to sell the security or instrument at all. An
inability to sell one or more portfolio positions can adversely
affect the Funds value or prevent the Fund from being able
to take advantage of other investment opportunities.
|
Because the Fund may invest in emerging country issuers, it is
especially subject to the risk that during certain periods the
liquidity of particular issuers or industries, or all securities
within a particular investment category, will shrink or
disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse
economic, market or political events, or adverse investor
perceptions whether or not accurate.
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not
be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time
period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high
volume of redemption requests or other reasons.
The Fund reserves the right to meet redemption requests through
in kind distributions. While the Fund may pay redemptions in
kind in the future, the Fund may instead choose to raise cash to
meet redemption requests through sales of portfolio securities
or permissible borrowings. If the Fund is forced to sell
securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable
conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Funds NAV.
Certain shareholders, including clients or affiliates of the
Investment Adviser
and/or
other
funds managed by the Investment Adviser, may from time to time
own or control a significant percentage of the Funds
shares. Redemptions by these shareholders of their shares of the
Fund may further increase the Funds liquidity risk and may
impact the Funds NAV. These shareholders may include, for
example,
17
institutional investors, funds of funds, discretionary advisory
clients, and other shareholders whose buy-sell decisions are
controlled by a single decision-maker.
|
|
n
|
Management
Risk
A strategy
used by the Investment Adviser may fail to produce the intended
results. There is no guarantee that the Investment Adviser will
correctly forecast the risk of particular instruments or sectors
or make effective tactical decisions for the Fund. The Fund may
allocate assets to an asset class or sector that underperforms
other asset classes and sectors.
|
|
|
n
|
Market
Risk
The value
of the instruments in which the Fund invests may go up or down
in response to the prospects of individual companies, particular
sectors or governments
and/or
general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or
last for extended periods.
|
|
|
n
|
Mortgage-Backed and Other
Asset-Backed
Risk
Mortgage-related
and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain
additional risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to
extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-backed securities,
making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a
result, in a period of rising interest rates, if the Fund holds
mortgage-backed securities, it may exhibit additional
volatility. This is known as extension risk. In addition,
adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities are subject
to prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may
pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce
the returns of the Fund because the Fund may have to reinvest
that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. The
Funds investments in other asset-backed securities are
subject to risks similar to those associated with
mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks
associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of
those assets.
|
The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued by the
U.S. Government (see U.S. Government Securities
Risk). To the extent that the Fund invests in
mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers,
such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private
mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other
secondary market issuers, the Fund may be subject to additional
risks. Timely payment of interest and principal of
non-governmental issuers are supported by various forms of
private insurance or guarantees, including individual loan,
title, pool and hazard insurance purchased by the issuer. There
can be no assurance that the private insurers can meet their
obligations under the policies. An unexpectedly high rate of
defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely
affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result
in losses to the Fund. The risk of such defaults is generally
higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime
mortgages. Subprime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers
with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make
timely payments on their mortgages.
18
RISKS
OF THE FUND
|
|
n
|
NAV
Risk
The net
asset value of the Fund and the value of your investment may
fluctuate.
|
|
|
n
|
Non-Diversification
Risk
The Fund
is non-diversified, meaning that the Fund is permitted to invest
more of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified
mutual funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse
developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio,
and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these
developments.
|
n
|
Non-Hedging Foreign Currency
Trading
Risk
The Fund
may engage in forward foreign currency transactions for
speculative purposes through the use of forward contracts.
Forward foreign currency transactions may enable the Fund to
profit from anticipated movements in currency rates by
establishing long
and/or
short positions in forward contracts on various
foreign currencies. Foreign exchange rates can be extremely
volatile and a variance in the degree of volatility of the
market or in the direction of the market from that anticipated
by the Investment Adviser may produce significant losses to the
Fund. Some of these transactions may also be subject to interest
rate risk.
|
n
|
Non-Investment Grade Fixed
Income
Securities
The
Fund may invest in non-investment grade fixed income securities
(commonly known as junk bonds) that are considered
speculative. Non-investment grade fixed income securities and
unrated securities of comparable credit quality are subject to
the increased risk of an issuers inability to meet
principal and interest payment obligations. These securities may
be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as
specific corporate or municipal developments, interest rate
sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond markets
generally and less secondary market liquidity.
|
n
|
Short Position
Risk
The Fund
may enter into a short derivative position through a futures
contract or swap agreement. Taking short positions involves
leverage of the Funds assets and presents various risks.
If the price of the instrument or market which the Fund has
taken a short position on increases, then the Fund will incur a
loss equal to the increase in price from the time that the short
position was entered into plus any premiums and interest paid to
a third party. Therefore, taking short positions involves the
risk that losses may be exaggerated, potentially losing more
money than the actual cost of the investment. Also, there is the
risk that the third party to the short sale may fail to honor
its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.
|
The Fund may engage in short selling. Short selling involves
leverage of the Funds assets and presents various risks.
In order to establish a short position in a financial
instrument, the Fund must first borrow the instrument from a
lender, such as a broker or other institution. The Fund may not
always be able to borrow the instrument at a particular time or
at an acceptable price. Thus, there is risk that the
19
Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategy due to
the lack of available financial instruments or for other reasons.
|
|
n
|
Sovereign
Risk
The issuer
of the
non-U.S. sovereign
debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment
of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay the principal or
interest when due. This may result from political or social
factors, the general economic environment of a country or levels
of foreign debt or foreign currency exchange rates.
|
n
|
Stock
Risk
Stock
prices have historically risen and fallen in periodic cycles.
U.S. and foreign stock markets have experienced periods of
substantial price volatility in the past and may do so again in
the future.
|
n
|
Subsidiary
Risk
To the
extent that the Fund determines in the future to invest through
a subsidiary, the Fund would be indirectly exposed to the risks
associated with the subsidiarys investments. The
subsidiary may not be registered under the Investment Company
Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, may not be
subject to all the investor protections of the Investment
Company Act.
|
n
|
Swaps
Risk
The use of
swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those
associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The
Funds transactions in equity swaps may be significant.
These transactions can result in sizeable realized and
unrealized capital gains and losses relative to the gains and
losses from the Funds direct investments in equity
securities and short sales.
|
Transactions in equity swaps can involve greater risks than if
the Fund had invested in securities directly since, in addition
to general market risks, swaps may be leveraged and are also
subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and
pricing risk. Because they are two-party contracts with limits
on transferability and because they may have terms of greater
than seven days, swap transactions may be considered to be
illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the
amount expected to be received under an equity swap in the event
of the default or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty. Some swaps
may be complex and valued subjectively. Swaps may also be
subject to pricing or basis risk, which exists when
a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive relative to
historical prices or the price of corresponding cash market
instruments. Under certain market conditions it may not be
economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a
position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an
opportunity. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if
the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to
initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an
advantageous time or price, which may result in significant
losses.
The prices of equity swaps can be very volatile, and a variance
in the degree of volatility or in the direction of securities
prices from the Investment Advisers expectations may
produce significant losses in the Funds investments in
swaps. In
20
RISKS
OF THE FUND
addition, a perfect correlation between an equity swap and a
security position may be impossible to achieve. As a result, the
Investment Advisers use of equity swaps may not be
effective in fulfilling the Investment Advisers investment
strategies and may contribute to losses that would not have been
incurred otherwise.
As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must
set aside (often referred to as asset
segregation) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or
staff-approved measures to cover open positions with
respect to certain kinds of derivatives instruments. In the case
of swaps that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set
aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the
swaps while the positions are open. With respect to swaps that
do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside
liquid assets in an amount equal to the Funds daily
marked-to-market net obligations (
i.e.
the Funds
daily net liability) under the swaps, if any, rather than their
full notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its
asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any
changes in the positions from time to time articulated by the
SEC or its staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside
assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled
swaps, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a
greater extent than if the Fund was required to segregate assets
equal to the full notional amount of the swaps.
|
|
n
|
Tax
Risk
One of the
requirements for favorable tax treatment as a regulated
investment company under the Internal Revenue Code is that the
Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain
qualifying sources of income. The IRS has issued private letter
rulings in which the IRS specifically concluded that income and
gains from certain commodity index-linked structured notes and
investments through a subsidiary is qualifying income. However,
the IRS has indicated that the granting of such private letter
rulings is currently suspended, pending further internal
discussion. The Fund has not received such a private letter
ruling, and is not able to rely on private letter rulings issued
to other taxpayers. Accordingly, its ability to make
commodity-linked investments or invest through a subsidiary is
restricted. The IRS may ultimately conclude and assert that
income and gains from such structured notes and/or a subsidiary
will not be considered qualifying income for purposes of
determining whether the Fund remains qualified as a regulated
investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The tax
treatment of commodity-linked notes, other commodity-linked
derivatives and/or investments through a subsidiary may also be
adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations
and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the
character, timing and/or amount of the Funds taxable
income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.
|
|
|
n
|
U.S. Government
Securities
Risk
The
U.S. government may not provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises if it
|
21
|
|
|
is not obligated to do so by law. Although many types of
U.S. Government Securities that may be purchased by the
Fund, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage
Association (Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal Home Loan
Banks may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their
securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the United
States Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. The maximum potential liability
of the issuers of some U.S. Government Securities held by
the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including
their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is
possible that issuers of U.S. Government Securities will
not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the
future. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been operating under
conservatorship, with the Federal Housing Finance Administration
(FHFA) acting as their conservator, since September
2008. The entities are dependent upon the continued support of
the U.S. Department of the Treasury and FHFA in order to
continue their business operations. These factors, among others,
could affect the future status and role of Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac and the value of their debt and equity securities
and the securities which they guarantee. Additionally, the
U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities do
not guarantee the market values of their securities, which may
fluctuate.
|
More information about the Funds portfolio securities and
investment techniques, and their associated risks, is provided
in Appendix A. You should consider the investment risks
discussed in this section and in Appendix A. Both are
important to your investment choice.
22
Service Providers
|
|
|
Investment
Adviser
|
|
Fund
|
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Managed Futures Strategy
|
|
|
|
GSAM has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC
since 1990 and is an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
(Goldman Sachs). As of September 30, 2011,
GSAM, including its investment advisory affiliates, had assets
under management of $699.8 billion.
The Investment Adviser provides day-to-day advice regarding the
Funds portfolio transactions. The Investment Adviser makes
the investment decisions for the Fund and places purchase and
sale orders for the Funds portfolio transactions in U.S.
and foreign markets. As permitted by applicable law, these
orders may be directed to any brokers, including Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates. While the Investment Adviser is ultimately
responsible for the management of the Fund, it is able to draw
upon the research and expertise of its asset management
affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect
to certain portfolio securities. In addition, the Investment
Adviser has access to the research and certain proprietary
technical models developed by Goldman Sachs, and will apply
quantitative and qualitative analysis in determining the
appropriate allocations among categories of issuers and types of
securities.
The Investment Adviser also performs the following additional
services for the Fund:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Supervises all non-advisory
operations of the Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides personnel to perform
necessary executive, administrative and clerical services to the
Fund
|
|
n
|
Arranges for the preparation of all
required tax returns, reports to shareholders, prospectuses and
statements of additional information and other reports filed
with the SEC and other regulatory authorities
|
|
n
|
Maintains the records of the Fund
|
|
n
|
Provides office space and all
necessary office equipment and services
|
23
|
|
|
MANAGEMENT FEES
AND OTHER EXPENSES
|
As compensation for its services and its assumption of certain
expenses, the Investment Adviser is entitled to the following
fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates
listed below (as a percentage of the Funds average daily
net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
Average Daily
|
Fund
|
|
Annual
Rate
|
|
Net
Assets
|
Managed Futures Strategy
|
|
|
1
|
.00%
|
|
|
First $1 Billion
|
|
|
0
|
.90%
|
|
|
Next $1 Billion
|
|
|
0
|
.86%
|
|
|
Next $3 Billion
|
|
|
0
|
.84%
|
|
|
Next $3 Billion
|
|
|
0
|
.82%
|
|
|
Over $8 Billion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Investment Adviser may waive a portion of its management fee
from time to time and may discontinue or modify any such waivers
in the future, consistent with the terms of any fee waiver
arrangements in place.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees
approval of the Management Agreement for the Fund will be
available in the Funds Semi-Annual Report for the period
ended June 30, 2012.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit Other
Expenses (excluding management fees, distribution and
service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, acquired fund
fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, litigation,
indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary
expenses, exclusive of any custody or transfer agent fee credit
reductions) to 0.104% of average daily net assets for the Fund,
through at least April 29, 2013, and prior to such date,
the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangement without
the approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense limitation
may be modified or terminated by the Investment Adviser at its
discretion and without shareholder approval after such date,
although the Investment Adviser does not presently intend to do
so.
Quantitative
Investment Strategies Group
The Quantitative Investment Strategies (QIS) team
manages exposure to stock, bond, currency and commodities
markets. The team develops quantitative models and processes to
generate potential returns by forecasting returns and managing
exposure to a wide variety of risks. These proprietary models,
which are continually refined, are developed in a highly
academic, innovative team environment. The QIS
24
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
teams proprietary research on these models is dynamic and
ongoing, with new strategies continually under development.
Quantitative
Investment Strategies Team
|
|
|
|
n
|
The QIS team consists of over 90
professionals, including 11 Ph.Ds, with extensive academic and
practitioner experience
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
Disciplined, quantitative models
are used to determine the relative attractiveness of the
worlds stock, bond and currency markets
|
|
n
|
Theory and economic intuition guide
the investment process
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Primarily
|
|
|
Name and
Title
|
|
Fund
Responsibility
|
|
Responsible
|
|
Five Year
Employment History
|
William Fallon
Ph.D., Managing Director, CIO, Macro Alpha Strategies
|
|
Portfolio Manager
Managed Futures Strategy
|
|
Since
2012
|
|
Mr. Fallon joined the Investment Adviser as a member of
the Quantitative Investment Strategies team in 1998. He is Chief
Investment Officer of Macro Alpha Strategies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Jeneste
CFA, Managing Director
|
|
Portfolio Manager
Managed Futures Strategy
|
|
Since
2012
|
|
Mr. Jeneste joined the Investment Adviser as a member of the
Quantitative Investment Strategies team in 1998. He is a senior
member of the QIS research and portfolio management team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Fallon and Steve Jeneste are ultimately responsible for
the Funds investment process. Mr. Jeneste also
manages the implementation and execution process. The strategic
and tactical allocations of the Fund are model-driven. The
portfolio management team collectively decides on constraints
and adjustments to the trades generated by the quantitative
models.
For information about the portfolio managers compensation,
other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the
portfolio managers ownership of securities in the Fund,
see the SAI.
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTOR AND
TRANSFER AGENT
|
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282,
serves as the exclusive distributor (the
Distributor) of the Funds shares. Goldman
Sachs, 71 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 500, Chicago,
Illinois 60606, also serves as the Funds transfer agent
(the Transfer Agent) and, as such, performs various
shareholder servicing functions.
For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to
receive a transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to
0.04% of average daily net assets with
25
respect to Institutional Shares, 0.19% of average daily net
assets with respect to Class A, Class C, Class IR
and Class R Shares.
From time to time, Goldman Sachs or any of its affiliates may
purchase and hold shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs and its
affiliates reserve the right to redeem at any time some or all
of the shares acquired for their own accounts.
|
|
ACTIVITIES
OF GOLDMAN SACHS AND ITS AFFILIATES AND OTHER
ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY GOLDMAN
SACHS
|
|
The involvement of the Investment Adviser, Goldman Sachs and
their affiliates in the management of, or their interest in,
other accounts and other activities of Goldman Sachs may present
conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund or limit the
Funds investment activities. Goldman Sachs is a worldwide,
full service investment banking, broker dealer, asset management
and financial services organization and a major participant in
global financial markets that provides a wide range of financial
services to a substantial and diversified client base that
includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and
high-net-worth
individuals. As such, it acts as an investor, investment banker,
research provider, investment manager, financier, adviser,
market maker, trader, prime broker, derivatives dealer, lender,
counterparty, agent and principal. In those and other
capacities, Goldman Sachs advises clients in all markets and
transactions and purchases, sells, holds and recommends a broad
array of investments, including securities, derivatives, loans,
commodities, currencies, credit default swaps, indices, baskets
and other financial instruments and products for its own account
or for the accounts of its customers and has other direct and
indirect interests in the global fixed income, currency,
commodity, equities, bank loan and other markets and the
securities and issuers in which the Fund may directly and
indirectly invest. Thus, it is likely that the Fund will have
multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage
in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or
obtain services from entities for which Goldman Sachs performs
or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. The
Investment Adviser and/or certain of its affiliates are the
managers of the Goldman Sachs Funds. The Investment Adviser and
its affiliates earn fees from this and other relationships with
the Fund. Although these fees are generally based on asset
levels, the fees are not directly contingent on Fund
performance, and Goldman Sachs would still receive significant
compensation from the Fund even if shareholders lose money.
Goldman Sachs and its affiliates engage in proprietary trading
and advise accounts and funds which have investment objectives
similar to those of the Fund and/or which engage in and compete
for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and
instruments as the Fund. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates will
not have any obligation to make available any
26
SERVICE
PROVIDERS
information regarding their proprietary activities or
strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other
accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of
the Fund. The results of the Funds investment activities,
therefore, may differ from those of Goldman Sachs, its
affiliates, and other accounts managed by Goldman Sachs and it
is possible that the Fund could sustain losses during periods in
which Goldman Sachs and its affiliates and other accounts
achieve significant profits on their trading for Goldman Sachs
or other accounts. In addition, the Fund may enter into
transactions in which Goldman Sachs or its other clients have an
adverse interest. For example, the Fund may take a long position
in a security at the same time that Goldman Sachs or other
accounts managed by the Investment Adviser takes a short
position in the same security (or vice versa). These and other
transactions undertaken by Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
Goldman Sachs advised clients may, individually or in the
aggregate, adversely impact the Fund. Transactions by one or
more Goldman Sachs advised clients or the Investment Adviser may
have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the
values, prices or investment strategies of the Fund. The
Funds activities may be limited because of regulatory
restrictions applicable to Goldman Sachs and its affiliates,
and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such
restrictions. As a global financial services firm, Goldman Sachs
also provides a wide range of investment banking and financial
services to issuers of securities and investors in securities.
Goldman Sachs, its affiliates and others associated with it may
create markets or specialize in, have positions in and affect
transactions in, securities of issuers held by the Fund, and may
also perform or seek to perform investment banking and financial
services for those issuers. Goldman Sachs and its affiliates may
have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or
sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants
or others who recommend the Fund or who engage in transactions
with or for the Fund. For more information about conflicts of
interest, see the SAI.
The Fund may make brokerage and other payments to Goldman Sachs
and its affiliates in connection with the Funds portfolio
investment transactions in accordance with applicable law.
27
Dividends
The Fund pays dividends from its investment income and
distributions from net realized capital gains. You may choose to
have dividends and distributions paid in:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Cash
|
|
n
|
Additional shares of the same class
of the same Fund
|
|
n
|
Shares of the same class of another
Goldman Sachs Fund. Special restrictions may apply. See the SAI.
|
You may indicate your election on your Account Application. Any
changes may be submitted in writing or via telephone, in some
instances, to the Transfer Agent (either directly or through
your Authorized Institution) at any time before the record date
for a particular dividend or distribution. If you do not
indicate any choice, your dividends and distributions will be
reinvested automatically in the Fund. Dividends from net
investment income and distributions from net capital gains, if
any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. If cash
dividends are elected with respect to the Funds annual
dividends from net investment income, then cash dividends must
also be elected with respect to the net capital gains component,
if any, of the Funds annual dividend.
The election to reinvest dividends and distributions in
additional shares will not affect the tax treatment of such
dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received
by you and then used to purchase the shares.
From time to time a portion of the Funds dividends may
constitute a return of capital for tax purposes, and/or may
include amounts in excess of the Funds net investment
income for the period calculated in accordance with good
accounting practice.
When you purchase shares of the Fund, part of the NAV per share
may be represented by undistributed income and/or realized gains
that have previously been earned by the Fund. Therefore,
subsequent distributions on such shares from such income and/or
realized gains may be taxable to you even if the NAV of the
shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the
cost of such shares and the distributions (or portions thereof)
represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.
28
Shareholder Guide
The following section will provide you with answers to some of
the most frequently asked questions regarding buying and selling
the Funds shares.
Shares
Offering
Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through the
Distributor. In addition, certain Authorized Institutions
(including certain banks, trust companies, brokers and
investment advisers) may be authorized to accept, on behalf of
the Fund, purchase and exchange orders and redemption requests
placed by or on behalf of their customers, and if approved by
the Fund, may designate other financial intermediaries to accept
such orders.
The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept
orders to purchase shares and reserve the right to reject any
order in whole or in part.
How
Can I Purchase Shares Of The Fund?
You may purchase shares of the Fund through certain Authorized
Institutions. In order to make an initial investment in the Fund
you must furnish to your Authorized Institution the information
in the Account Application.
Note: Authorized Institutions may receive different
compensation for selling different class shares.
The decision as to which class to purchase depends on the
amount you invest, the intended length of the investment and
your personal situation. You should contact your Authorized
Institution to discuss which share class option is right for
you.
To open an account, contact your Authorized Institution.
Customers of certain Authorized Institutions will normally give
their purchase instructions to the Authorized Institution, and
the Authorized Institution will, in turn, place purchase orders
with Goldman Sachs. Authorized Institutions will set times by
which purchase orders and payments must be received by them from
their customers.
For purchases by check, the Fund will not accept checks drawn on
foreign banks, third party checks, temporary checks, or cash or
cash equivalents;
e.g.
, cashiers checks, official
bank checks, money orders, travelers cheques or credit card
checks. In limited situations involving the transfer of
retirement assets, the Fund may accept cashiers checks or
official bank checks.
29
Class R and Class IR Shares are not sold directly to the public.
Instead, Class R and Class IR Shares generally are available
only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b)
plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined
benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans (the
Retirement Plans). Class R and Class IR Shares are
also generally available only to Retirement Plans where plan
level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the Fund.
Class IR Shares may also be sold to accounts established
under a fee-based program that is sponsored and maintained by a
registered broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and
that is approved by Goldman Sachs (Eligible Fee-Based
Program). Class IR and Class R Shares are not
available to traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts
(IRAs), SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and individual
403(b) plans; except that Class IR Shares are available to
such accounts or plans to the extent they are purchased through
an Eligible Fee-Based Program.
Retirement Plans generally may open an account and purchase
Class IR
and/or
Class R Shares through Authorized Institutions, financial
planners, Retirement Plan administrators and other financial
intermediaries. Either Class IR or Class R Shares may
not be available through certain Authorized Institutions.
Additional shares may be purchased through a Retirement
Plans administrator or record-keeper.
What
Is My Minimum Investment In The Fund?
For each of your accounts investing in Class A or
Class C Shares, the following investment minimums must be
met:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial
|
|
Additional
*
|
Regular Accounts
|
|
|
$1,000
|
|
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employer Sponsored Benefit Plans
|
|
|
No Minimum
|
|
|
|
No Minimum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uniform Gift/Transfer to Minors Accounts (UGMA/UTMA)
|
|
|
$250
|
|
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Retirement Accounts and Coverdell ESAs
|
|
|
$250
|
|
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automatic Investment Plan Accounts
|
|
|
$250
|
|
|
|
$50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
No minimum additional investment
requirements are imposed with respect to investors trading
through intermediaries who aggregate shares in omnibus or
similar accounts (e.g., retirement plan accounts, wrap program
accounts or traditional brokerage house accounts). A maximum
purchase limitation of $1,000,000 in the aggregate normally
applies to purchases of Class C Shares across all Goldman
Sachs Funds.
|
30
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
For Institutional Shares the following minimum investments apply:
|
|
|
Type of
Investor
|
|
Minimum
Investment
|
n
Banks,
trust companies or other depository institutions investing for
their own account or on behalf of their clients
|
|
$1,000,000 in Institutional Shares of the Fund alone or in
combination with other assets under the management of GSAM and
its affiliates
|
n
State,
county, city or any instrumentality, department, authority or
agency thereof
|
|
|
n
Corporations
with at least $100 million in assets or in outstanding publicly
traded securities
|
|
|
n
Wrap
account sponsors (provided they have an agreement covering the
arrangement with GSAM)
|
|
|
n
Investment
advisers investing for accounts for which they receive
asset-based fees
|
|
|
n
Qualified
non-profit organizations, charitable trusts, foundations and
endowments
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
Individual
investors
|
|
$10,000,000
|
n
Accounts
over which GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment
discretion
|
|
|
n
Corporations
with less than $100 million in assets or in outstanding
publicly traded securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
n
Section 401(k),
profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity,
defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans that
are sponsored by one or more employers (including governmental
or church employers) or employee organizations
|
|
No minimum
|
|
|
|
No minimum amount is required for initial purchases in
Class IR and Class R Shares or additional investments
in Institutional, Class IR or Class R Shares.
The minimum investment requirement for Class A,
Class C and Institutional Shares may be waived for current
and former officers, partners, directors or employees of Goldman
Sachs or any of its affiliates; any Trustee or officer of the
Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust); brokerage or
advisory clients of Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management and
accounts for which The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, N.A. acts in
a fiduciary capacity (
i.e.
, as agent or trustee); certain
mutual fund wrap programs at the discretion of the
Trusts officers; and for other investors at the
31
discretion of the Trusts officers. No minimum amount is
required for additional investments in such accounts.
What
Should I Know When I Purchase Shares Through An Authorized
Institution?
If shares of the Fund are held in an account an maintained and
serviced by your Authorized Institution, all recordkeeping,
transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to
your account will be performed by your Authorized Institution,
and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent. Since the Fund will
have no record of your transactions, you should contact your
Authorized Institution to purchase, redeem or exchange shares,
to make changes in or give instructions concerning your account
or to obtain information about your account. The transfer of
shares from an account with one Authorized Institution to an
account with another Authorized Institution involves special
procedures and may require you to obtain historical purchase
information about the shares in the account from your Authorized
Institution. If your Authorized Institutions relationship
with Goldman Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your
account to another Authorized Institution, the Trust reserves
the right to redeem your shares. The Trust will not be
responsible for any loss in an investors account or tax
liability resulting from a redemption.
Certain Authorized Institutions and other financial
intermediaries may be authorized to accept, on behalf of the
Trust, purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by or on
behalf of their customers, and if approved by the Trust, to
designate other financial intermediaries to accept such orders.
In these cases:
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|
n
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The Fund will be deemed to have
received an order that is in proper form when the order is
accepted by an Authorized Institution or other financial
intermediary on a business day, and the order will be priced at
the Funds NAV per share (adjusted for any applicable sales
charge) next determined after such acceptance.
|
|
n
|
Authorized Institutions and other
financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting
accepted orders to the Fund within the time period agreed upon
by them.
|
You should contact your Authorized Institution or another
financial intermediary to learn whether it is authorized to
accept orders for the Trust.
Authorized Institutions that invest in shares on behalf of their
customers may charge fees directly to their customer accounts in
connection with their investments. You should contact your
Authorized Institution for information regarding such charges,
as these fees, if any, may affect the return such customers
realize with respect to their investments.
32
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
The Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may
make payments or provide services to Authorized Institutions and
other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) to
promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the
Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. These payments are made out
of the Investment Advisers, Distributors and/or
their affiliates own assets, and are not an additional
charge to the Fund. The payments are in addition to the
distribution and service fees and sales charges described in
this Prospectus. Such payments are intended to compensate
Intermediaries for, among other things: marketing shares of the
Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds, which may consist of
payments relating to the Funds inclusion on preferred or
recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs sponsored by
the Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries
registered representatives or salespersons, including at
conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and
education of personnel; marketing support; and/or other
specified services intended to assist in the distribution and
marketing of the Fund and other Goldman Sachs Funds. The
payments may also, to the extent permitted by applicable
regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive
arrangements to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor
various educational programs, sales contests and/or promotions.
The payments by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their
affiliates, which are in addition to the fees paid for these
services by the Fund, may also compensate Intermediaries for
sub-accounting, sub-transfer agency, administrative and/or
shareholder processing services. These additional payments may
exceed amounts earned on these assets by the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and/or their affiliates for the performance of these
or similar services. The amount of these additional payments is
normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the amount
sold or invested through the Intermediaries. In addition,
certain Intermediaries may have access to certain services from
the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates,
including research reports and economic analysis, and portfolio
analysis tools. In certain cases, the Intermediary may not pay
for these services. Please refer to the Payments to
Intermediaries section of the SAI for more information
about these payments and services.
The payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or
their affiliates and the services provided by an Intermediary
may differ for different Intermediaries. The presence of these
payments, receipt of these services and the basis on which an
Intermediary compensates its registered representatives or
salespersons may create an incentive for a particular
Intermediary, registered representative or salesperson to
highlight, feature or recommend the Fund based, at least in
part, on the level of compensation paid. You should contact your
Authorized Institution or Intermediary for more information
about the payments it receives and any potential conflicts of
interest.
33
What
Else Should I Know About Share Purchases?
The Trust reserves the right to:
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n
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Refuse to open an account or
require an Authorized Institution to refuse to open an account
if you fail to (i) provide a Social Security Number or
other taxpayer identification number; or (ii) certify that
such number is correct (if required to do so under applicable
law).
|
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n
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Reject or restrict any purchase or
exchange order by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) for any reason in its discretion. Without limiting
the foregoing, the Trust may reject or restrict purchase and
exchange orders by a particular purchaser (or group of related
purchasers) when a pattern of frequent purchases, sales or
exchanges of shares of the Fund is evident, or if purchases,
sales or exchanges are, or a subsequent redemption might be, of
a size that would disrupt the management of the Fund.
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n
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Close the Fund to new investors
from time to time and reopen the Fund whenever it is deemed
appropriate by the Funds Investment Adviser.
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n
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Provide for, modify or waive the
minimum investment requirements.
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n
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Modify the manner in which shares
are offered.
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n
|
Modify the sales charge rate
applicable to future purchases of shares.
|
Generally, non-U.S. citizens and certain U.S. citizens residing
outside the United States may not open an account with the Fund.
The Fund may allow you to purchase shares with securities
instead of cash if consistent with the Funds investment
policies and operations and if approved by the Funds
Investment Adviser.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders.
Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws for
certain states (to which your account may be subject) require
financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property
(including shares of the Fund) to the appropriate state if no
activity occurs in an account for a period of time specified by
state law.
Customer Identification Program.
Federal law
requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record identifying
information for certain investors, which will be reviewed solely
for customer identification purposes, which may include the
name, residential or business street address, date of birth (for
an individual), Social Security Number or taxpayer
identification number or other information for each investor who
opens an account directly with the Fund. Applications without
the required information may not be accepted by the Fund. After
accepting an application, to the extent
34
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
permitted by applicable law or their customer identification
program, the Fund reserves the right to: (i) place limits
on transactions in any account until the identity of the
investor is verified; (ii) refuse an investment in the
Fund; or (iii) involuntarily redeem an investors
shares and close an account in the event that the Fund is unable
to verify an investors identity or obtain all required
information. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for
any loss or tax liability in an investors account
resulting from the investors delay in providing all
required information or from closing an account and redeeming an
investors shares pursuant to the customer identification
program.
How
Are Shares Priced?
The price you pay when you buy shares is the Funds next
determined NAV for a share class (as adjusted for any applicable
sales charge)
after
the Fund receives your order in
proper form. The price you receive when you sell shares is the
Funds next determined NAV for a share class with the
redemption proceeds reduced by any applicable charges
(
e.g.
, CDSCs)
after
the Fund receives your
order in proper form. Each class calculates its NAV as follows:
|
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NAV =
|
|
(Value of Assets of the Class)
(Liabilities of the Class)
Number
of Outstanding Shares of the Class
|
The Funds investments are valued based on market
quotations, or if market quotations are not readily available,
or if the Investment Adviser believes that such quotations do
not accurately reflect fair value, the fair value of the
Funds investments may be determined in good faith under
procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
To the extent the Fund invests in foreign equity securities,
fair value prices are provided by an independent
fair value service in accordance with the fair value procedures
approved by the Board of Trustees. Fair value prices are used
because many foreign markets operate at times that do not
coincide with those of the major U.S. markets. Events that
could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may occur
between the close of the foreign market and the time of
determining the NAV, and would not otherwise be reflected in the
NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a
fair value price for a particular security, or if the price
provided does not meet the established criteria for the Fund,
the Fund will price that security at the most recent closing
price for that security on its principal exchange.
In addition, the Investment Adviser, consistent with its
procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may (but need
not) determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing
prices of either domestic or foreign securities in light of
significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair
value of the securities at the time of
35
determining the Funds NAV. Significant events that could
affect a large number of securities in a particular market may
include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or
more single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations
in U.S. or foreign markets; market dislocations; market
disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or
man made disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; governmental
actions or other developments; as well as the same or similar
events which may affect specific issuers or the securities
markets even though not tied directly to the securities markets.
Other significant events that could relate to a single issuer
may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as
reorganizations, mergers and buy-outs; corporate announcements,
including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory
news; significant litigation; and trading limits or suspensions.
One effect of using an independent fair value service and fair
valuation may be to reduce stale pricing arbitrage opportunities
presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, it involves
the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its
investments may be different from those used by other investment
companies and investors to price the same investments.
Investments in other open-end registered investment companies
(if any) are valued based on the NAV of those open-end
registered investment companies (which may use fair value
pricing as discussed in their prospectuses).
Please note the following with respect to the price at which
your transactions are processed:
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|
n
|
NAV per share of each share class
is generally calculated by the accounting agent on each business
day as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. New York time) or
such other times as the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ
market may officially close. Fund shares will generally not be
priced on any day the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
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n
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The Trust reserves the right to
reprocess purchase (including dividend reinvestments),
redemption and exchange transactions that were processed at a
NAV that is subsequently adjusted, and to recover amounts from
(or distribute amounts to) shareholders accordingly based on the
official closing NAV, as adjusted.
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n
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The Trust reserves the right to
advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be
received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by
the SEC.
|
Consistent with industry practice, investment transactions not
settling on the same day are recorded and factored into the
Funds NAV on the business day following trade date (T+1).
The use of T+1 accounting generally does not, but may, result in
a
36
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
NAV that differs materially from the NAV that would result if
all transactions were reflected on their trade dates.
Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced
and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in
case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange is stopped at a time other than its regularly
scheduled closing time. In the event the New York Stock Exchange
does not open for business, the Trust may, but is not required
to, open the Fund for purchase, redemption and exchange
transactions if the Federal Reserve wire payment system is open.
To learn whether the Fund is open for business during this
situation, please call the appropriate phone number located on
the back cover of this Prospectus.
Foreign securities may trade in their local markets on days the
Fund is closed. As a result, if the Fund holds foreign
securities, its NAV may be impacted on days when investors may
not purchase or redeem Fund shares.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A SHARES
|
What
Is The Offering Price Of Class A Shares?
The offering price of Class A Shares of the Fund is
the next determined NAV per share plus an initial sales charge
paid to Goldman Sachs at the time of purchase of shares.
The sales charge varies depending upon the amount you
purchase. In some cases, described below, the initial sales
charge may be eliminated altogether, and the offering price will
be the NAV per share. The current sales charges and commissions
paid to Authorized Institutions for Class A Shares of the
Fund are as follows:
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Sales Charge
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Maximum Dealer
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Sales Charge
as
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as Percentage
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Allowance as
|
Amount of
Purchase
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Percentage of
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of Net Amount
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Percentage of
|
(including sales
charge, if any)
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Offering
Price
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Invested
|
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Offering
Price
*
|
Less than $50,000
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5.50
|
%
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5.82
|
%
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5.00
|
%
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$ 50,000 up to (but less than) $100,000
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4.75
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4.99
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4.00
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$100,000 up to (but less than) $250,000
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3.75
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3.90
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3.00
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$250,000 up to (but less than) $500,000
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2.75
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2.83
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2.25
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$500,000 up to (but less than) $1 million
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2.00
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2.04
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1.75
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$1 million or more
|
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0.00
|
**
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0.00
|
**
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***
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*
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Dealers allowance may be
changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire
sales charge may be reallowed to Authorized Institutions.
Authorized Institutions to whom substantially the entire sales
charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters
under the Securities Act of 1933.
|
**
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|
No sales charge is payable at
the time of purchase of Class A Shares of $1 million or
more, but a CDSC of 1% may be imposed in the event of certain
redemptions within 18 months.
|
37
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***
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The Distributor may pay a
one-time commission to Authorized Institutions who initiate or
are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more of shares of
the Fund equal to 1.00% of the amount under $3 million,
0.50% of the next $2 million, and 0.25% thereafter. In
instances where this one-time commission is not paid to a
particular Authorized Institution (including Goldman Sachs
Private Wealth Management Unit), the CDSC on Class A
Shares, generally, will be waived. The Distributor may also pay,
with respect to all or a portion of the amount purchased, a
commission in accordance with the foregoing schedule to
Authorized Institutions who initiate or are responsible for
purchases of $500,000 or more by certain Section 401(k),
profit sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity,
defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans
(including health savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or
more employers (including governmental or church employers) or
SIMPLE plans that are sponsored by one or more employers
(including government or church employers) or employee
organizations investing in the Fund which satisfy the criteria
set forth below in When Are Class A Shares Not
Subject To A Sales Load? or $1 million or more by certain
wrap accounts. Purchases by such plans will be made
at NAV with no initial sales charge, but if shares are redeemed
within 18 months, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the
plan, the plan sponsor or the third-party administrator. In
addition, Authorized Institutions will remit to the Distributor
such payments received in connection with wrap
accounts in the event that shares are redeemed within
18 months.
|
You should note that the actual sales charge that appears in
your mutual fund transaction confirmation may differ slightly
from the rate disclosed above in this Prospectus due to rounding
calculations.
As indicated in the preceding chart, and as discussed further
below and in the section titled How Can The Sales Charge
On Class A Shares Be Reduced?, you may, under certain
circumstances, be entitled to pay reduced sales charges on your
purchases of Class A Shares or have those charges waived
entirely. To take advantage of these discounts, your Authorized
Institution or other financial intermediary must notify the
Funds Transfer Agent at the time of your purchase order
that a discount may apply to your current purchases. You may
also be required to provide appropriate documentation to receive
these discounts, including:
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(i)
|
Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other
Goldman Sachs Funds held in all accounts (
e.g.,
retirement accounts) of the shareholder at the Authorized
Institution or other financial intermediary;
|
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|
(ii)
|
Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other
Goldman Sachs Funds held in any account of the shareholder at
another Authorized Institution or other financial intermediary;
and
|
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(iii)
|
Information or records regarding shares of the Fund or other
Goldman Sachs Funds held at any Authorized Institution or other
financial intermediary by related parties of the shareholder,
such as members of the same family or household.
|
What
Else Do I Need To Know About Class A Shares
CDSC?
Purchases of $1 million or more of Class A Shares will be
made at NAV with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem
shares within 18 months after the
38
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
beginning of the month in which the purchase was made a CDSC of
1% may be imposed. The CDSC may not be imposed if your
Authorized Institution agrees with the Distributor to return all
or an applicable prorated portion of its commission to the
Distributor. The CDSC is waived on redemptions in certain
circumstances. See In What Situations May The CDSC On
Class A Or C Shares Be Waived Or Reduced? below.
When
Are Class A Shares Not Subject To A Sales Load?
Class A Shares of the Fund may be sold at NAV without
payment of any sales charge to the following individuals and
entities:
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n
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Goldman Sachs, its affiliates or
their respective officers, partners, directors or employees
(including retired employees and former partners), any
partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general partner, any
Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of
any of these individuals;
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n
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Qualified employee benefit plans of
Goldman Sachs;
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n
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Trustees or directors of investment
companies for which Goldman Sachs or an affiliate acts as
sponsor;
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n
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Any employee or registered
representative of any Authorized Institution or their respective
spouses, children and parents;
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n
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Banks, trust companies or other
types of depository institutions;
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n
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Any state, county or city, or any
instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof, which
is prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales
charge or commission in connection with the purchase of shares
of the Fund;
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n
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Section 401(k), profit
sharing, money purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined
benefit pension, or other employee benefit plans (including
health savings accounts) or SIMPLE plans that are sponsored by
one or more employers (including governmental or church
employers) or employee organizations (Employee Benefit
Plans) that:
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|
n
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Buy shares of Goldman Sachs Funds
worth $500,000 or more; or
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n
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Have 100 or more eligible employees
at the time of purchase; or
|
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n
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Certify that they expect to have
annual plan purchases of shares of Goldman Sachs Funds of
$200,000 or more; or
|
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n
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Are provided administrative
services by certain third party administrators that have entered
into a special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating
to such plans; or
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n
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Have at the time of purchase
aggregate assets of at least $2,000,000.
|
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n
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These requirements may be waived at
the discretion of the Trusts officers;
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n
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Non-qualified pension plans
sponsored by employers who also sponsor qualified plans that
qualify for and invest in Goldman Sachs Funds at NAV without the
payment of any sales charge;
|
39
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|
n
|
Insurance company separate accounts
that make the Fund available as an underlying investment in
certain group annuity contracts;
|
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n
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Wrap accounts for the
benefit of clients of broker-dealers, financial institutions or
financial planners, provided they have entered into an agreement
with GSAM specifying aggregate minimums and certain operating
policies and standards;
|
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n
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Investment advisers investing for
accounts for which they receive asset-based fees;
|
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n
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Accounts over which GSAM or its
advisory affiliates have investment discretion;
|
|
n
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Shareholders who roll over
distributions from any tax-qualified Employee Benefit Plan or
tax-sheltered annuity to an IRA which invests in the Goldman
Sachs Funds if the tax-qualified Employee Benefit Plan or
tax-sheltered annuity receives administrative services provided
by certain third party administrators that have entered into a
special service arrangement with Goldman Sachs relating to such
plan or annuity;
|
|
n
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State sponsored 529 college savings
plans; or
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|
n
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Investors who qualify under other
exemptions that are stated from time to time in the SAI.
|
You must certify eligibility for any of the above exemptions
on your Account Application and notify your Authorized
Institution and the Fund if you no longer are eligible for the
exemption.
The Fund will grant you an exemption subject to confirmation of
your entitlement by your Authorized Institution. You may be
charged a fee by your Authorized Institution.
How
Can The Sales Charge On Class A Shares Be
Reduced?
|
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|
n
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Right of
Accumulation:
When
buying Class A Shares in Goldman Sachs Funds, your current
aggregate investment determines the initial sales load you pay.
You may qualify for reduced sales charges when the current
market value of holdings across Class A, Class B
and/or Class C Shares, plus new purchases, reaches $50,000
or more. Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares
of any of the Goldman Sachs Funds may be combined under the
Right of Accumulation. If the Funds Transfer Agent is
properly notified, the Amount of Purchase in the
chart in the section What Is The Offering Price of
Class A Shares? will be deemed to include all
Class A, Class B
and/or
Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds that were held at
the time of purchase by any of the following persons:
(i) you, your spouse, your parents and your children; and
(ii) any trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single
trust estate or a single fiduciary account. This includes, for
example, any Class A, Class B
and/or
Class C Shares held at a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary other than the one handling your
|
40
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
|
|
|
current purchase. For purposes of applying the Right of
Accumulation, shares of the Fund and any other Goldman Sachs
Funds purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Private
Wealth Management or GS Ayco Holding LLC will be combined with
Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other
assets held by all other Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management
accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC, respectively. In
addition, under some circumstances, Class A and/or
Class C Shares of the Fund and Class A, Class B
and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund
purchased by partners, directors, officers or employees of
certain organizations may be combined for the purpose of
determining whether a purchase will qualify for the Right of
Accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales charge
level. To qualify for a reduced sales load, you or your
Authorized Institution must notify the Funds Transfer
Agent at the time of investment that a quantity discount is
applicable. If you do not notify your Authorized Institution at
the time of your current purchase or a future purchase that you
qualify for a quantity discount, you may not receive the benefit
of a reduced sales charge that might otherwise apply. Use of
this option is subject to a check of appropriate records.
|
In some circumstances, other Class A, Class B
and/or
Class C Shares may be aggregated with your current purchase
under the Right of Accumulation as described in the SAI. For
purposes of determining the Amount of Purchase, all
Class A, Class B
and/or
Class C Shares currently held will be valued at their
current market value.
|
|
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|
n
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Statement of
Intention:
You
may obtain a reduced sales charge by means of a written
Statement of Intention which expresses your non-binding
commitment to invest (not counting reinvestments of dividends
and distributions) in the aggregate $50,000 or more within a
period of 13 months in Class A Shares of one or more
of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Any investments you make during the
period will receive the discounted sales load based on the full
amount of your investment commitment. Purchases made during the
previous 90 days may be included; however, capital
appreciation does not apply toward these combined purchases. If
the investment commitment of the Statement of Intention is not
met prior to the expiration of the
13-month
period, the entire amount will be subject to the higher
applicable sales charge unless the failure to meet the
investment commitment is due to the death of the investor. By
selecting the Statement of Intention, you authorize the Transfer
Agent to escrow and redeem Class A Shares in your account
to pay this additional charge if the Statement of Intention is
not met. You must, however, inform the Transfer Agent (either
directly or through your Authorized Institution) that the
Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are
purchased. Each purchase will be made at the public offering
price applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount
|
41
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|
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|
|
specified on the Statement of Intention. The SAI has more
information about the Statement of Intention, which you should
read carefully.
|
|
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|
A COMMON QUESTION
APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS C SHARES
|
What
Is The Offering Price Of Class C Shares?
You may purchase Class C Shares of the Fund at the next
determined NAV without paying an initial sales charge. However,
if you redeem Class C Shares within 12 months of
purchase, a CDSC of 1% will normally be deducted from the
redemption proceeds. In connection with purchases by Employee
Benefit Plans, where Class C Shares are redeemed within
12 months of purchase, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed upon the
plan sponsor or third party administrator.
Proceeds from the CDSC are payable to the Distributor and may be
used in whole or in part to defray the Distributors
expenses related to providing distribution-related services to
the Fund in connection with the sale of Class C Shares,
including the payment of compensation to Authorized
Institutions. A commission equal to 1% of the amount invested is
normally paid by the Distributor to Authorized Institutions.
|
|
COMMON
QUESTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF CLASS A
AND C SHARES
|
|
What
Else Do I Need To Know About The CDSC On Class A Or C
Shares?
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|
|
|
n
|
The CDSC is based on the lesser of
the NAV of the shares at the time of redemption or the original
offering price (which is the original NAV).
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|
|
|
|
n
|
No CDSC is charged on shares
acquired from reinvested dividends or capital gains
distributions.
|
|
n
|
No CDSC is charged on the per share
appreciation of your account over the initial purchase price.
|
|
n
|
When counting the number of months
since a purchase of Class A or Class C Shares was
made, all purchases made during a month will be combined and
considered to have been made on the first day of that month.
|
|
|
|
|
n
|
To keep your CDSC as low as
possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Fund
will first sell any shares in your account that do not carry a
CDSC and then the shares in your account that have been held the
longest.
|
42
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
In
What Situations May The CDSC On Class A Or C Shares Be
Waived Or Reduced?
The CDSC on Class A and Class C Shares that are
subject to a CDSC may be waived or reduced if the redemption
relates to:
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|
|
|
n
|
Mandatory retirement distributions
or loans to participants or beneficiaries from Employee Benefit
Plans;
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|
n
|
Hardship withdrawals by a
participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
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|
n
|
The separation from service by a
participant or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
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|
n
|
Excess contributions distributed
from an Employee Benefit Plan;
|
|
n
|
Distributions from a qualified
Employee Benefit Plan invested in the Goldman Sachs Funds which
are being rolled over to an IRA in the same share class of a
Goldman Sachs Fund;
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|
n
|
The death or disability (as defined
in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the Code)) of a shareholder, participant
or beneficiary in an Employee Benefit Plan;
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|
n
|
Satisfying the minimum distribution
requirements of the Code;
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n
|
Establishing substantially
equal periodic payments as described under
Section 72(t)(2) of the Code;
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|
n
|
Redemption proceeds which are to be
reinvested in accounts or non-registered products over which
GSAM or its advisory affiliates have investment discretion;
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|
n
|
A systematic withdrawal plan. The
Fund reserves the right to limit such redemptions, on an annual
basis, to 12% of the value of your C Shares and 10% of the
value of your Class A Shares;
|
|
n
|
Redemptions or exchanges of Fund
shares held through an Employee Benefit Plan using the Fund as
part of a qualified default investment alternative or
QDIA; or
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|
n
|
Other redemptions, at the
discretion of the Trusts officers, relating to shares
purchased through certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money
purchase pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit
pension, or other Employee Benefit Plans (including health
savings accounts) that are sponsored by one or more employers
(including governmental or church employers) or employee
organizations investing in the Portfolios.
|
How
Can I Sell Shares Of The Fund?
You may arrange to take money out of your account by selling
(redeeming) some or all of your shares through your Authorized
Institution.
Generally, the Fund will
43
redeem its shares upon request on any business day at the NAV
next determined after receipt of such request in proper form,
subject to any applicable CDSC.
You should contact your
Authorized Institution to discuss redemptions and redemption
proceeds. Certain Authorized Institutions are authorized to
accept redemption requests on behalf of the Fund as described
under How to Buy SharesShares Offering. The
Fund may transfer redemption proceeds to an account with your
Authorized Institution. In the alternative, your Authorized
Institution may request that redemption proceeds be sent to you
by check or wire (if the wire instructions are designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent). Redemptions may be
requested by your Authorized Institution in writing, by
telephone or through an electronic trading platform.
Generally, any redemption request that requires money to go to
an account or address other than that designated in the current
records of the Transfer Agent must be in writing and signed by
an authorized person (a Medallion signature guarantee may be
required). The written request may be confirmed by telephone
with both the requesting party and the designated bank to verify
instructions.
When
Do I Need A Medallion Signature Guarantee To Redeem
Shares?
A Medallion signature guarantee may be required if:
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|
|
|
n
|
A request is made in writing to
redeem Class A, Class C, Class IR or Class R
Shares in an amount over $50,000 via check;
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|
n
|
You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to an address that is not your address of record;
or
|
|
n
|
You would like the redemption
proceeds sent to a domestic bank account that is not your bank
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent.
|
A Medallion signature guarantee must be obtained from a bank,
brokerage firm or other financial intermediary that is a member
of an approved Medallion Guarantee Program or that is otherwise
approved by the Trust. A notary public cannot provide a
Medallion signature guarantee. Additional documentation may be
required.
What
Do I Need To Know About Telephone Redemption Requests?
The Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent will not be
liable for any loss or tax liability you may incur in the event
that the Trust accepts unauthorized telephone redemption
requests that the Trust reasonably believes to be genuine. The
Trust may accept telephone redemption instructions from any
person identifying himself or herself as the owner of an account
or the owners registered representative where the owner
has not declined in writing to use this service. Authorized
Institutions may submit redemption requests by telephone. You
risk possible losses if a telephone redemption is not authorized
by you.
44
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
In an effort to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent redemption
and exchange requests by telephone, Goldman Sachs and Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) each employ
reasonable procedures specified by the Trust to confirm that
such instructions are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not
employed, the Trust may be liable for any loss due to
unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The following general
policies are currently in effect:
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|
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|
n
|
Telephone requests are recorded.
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|
n
|
Proceeds of telephone redemption
requests will be sent to your address of record or authorized
account designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent
(unless you provide written instructions and a Medallion
signature guarantee indicating another address or account).
|
|
n
|
For the
30-day
period following a change of address, telephone redemptions will
only be filled by a wire transfer to the authorized account
designated in the current records of the Transfer Agent (see
immediately preceding bullet point). In order to receive the
redemption by check during this time period, the redemption
request must be in the form of a written, Medallion signature
guaranteed letter.
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|
n
|
The telephone redemption option may
be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
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|
n
|
The Fund may redeem via check up to
$50,000 in Class A, Class C, Class IR and
Class R Shares requested via telephone.
|
Note: It may be difficult to make telephone redemptions in
times of unusual economic or market conditions.
How
Are Redemption Proceeds Paid?
By Wire:
You may arrange for your redemption
proceeds to be paid as federal funds to an account with your
Authorized Institution or to a domestic bank account designated
in the current records of the Transfer Agent. In addition,
redemption proceeds may be transmitted through an electronic
trading platform to an account with your Authorized Institution.
The following general policies govern wiring redemption proceeds:
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|
|
|
n
|
Redemption proceeds will normally
be wired on the next business day in federal funds, but may be
paid up to three business days following receipt of a properly
executed wire transfer redemption request.
|
|
n
|
Although redemption proceeds will
normally be paid as described above, under certain
circumstances, redemption requests or payments may be postponed
or suspended as permitted under Section 22(e) of the
Investment Company Act. Generally, under that section,
redemption requests or payments may be postponed or suspended if
(i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading or
trading is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes
the disposal of securities owned by the Fund or the fair
determination of the value of the Funds
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45
|
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|
net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) the SEC, by
order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption.
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|
|
n
|
If you are selling shares you
recently paid for by check or purchased by Automated Clearing
House (ACH), the Fund will pay you when your check
or ACH has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
|
|
n
|
If the Federal Reserve Bank is
closed on the day that the redemption proceeds would ordinarily
be wired, wiring the redemption proceeds may be delayed until
the Federal Reserve Bank reopens.
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|
n
|
To change the bank designated in
the current records of the Transfer Agent, you must send written
instructions signed by an authorized person designated in the
current records of the Transfer Agent. A Medallion signature
guarantee may be required if you are requesting a redemption in
conjunction with the change.
|
|
n
|
Neither the Trust nor Goldman Sachs
assumes any responsibility for the performance of your bank or
any other financial intermediary in the transfer process. If a
problem with such performance arises, you should deal directly
with your bank or any such financial intermediaries.
|
By Check:
A shareholder may elect in writing
to receive redemption proceeds by check. Redemption proceeds
paid by check will normally be mailed to the address of record
within three business days of receipt of a properly executed
redemption request. If you are selling shares you recently paid
for by check or ACH, the Fund will pay you when your check or
ACH has cleared, which may take up to 15 days.
What
Else Do I Need To Know About Redemptions?
The following generally applies to redemption requests:
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|
|
n
|
Additional documentation may be
required when deemed appropriate by the Transfer Agent. A
redemption request will not be in proper form until such
additional documentation has been received.
|
|
n
|
Authorized Institutions are
responsible for the timely transmittal of redemption requests by
their customers to the Transfer Agent. In order to facilitate
the timely transmittal of redemption requests, these Authorized
Institutions may set times by which they must receive redemption
requests. These Authorized Institutions may also require
additional documentation from you.
|
The Trust reserves the right to:
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|
|
|
n
|
Redeem your shares in the event
your Authorized Institutions relationship with Goldman
Sachs is terminated, and you do not transfer your account to
another Authorized Institution with a relationship with Goldman
Sachs or in the event that the Fund is no longer an option in
your Retirement Plan or no longer available through your
Eligible Fee-Based Program.
|
|
n
|
Redeem your shares if your account
balance is below the required Fund minimum. The Fund will not
redeem your shares on this basis if the value of
|
46
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
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|
|
your account falls below the minimum account balance solely as a
result of market conditions. The Fund will give you 60 days
prior written notice to allow you to purchase sufficient
additional shares of the Fund in order to avoid such redemption.
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|
n
|
Subject to applicable law, redeem
your shares in other circumstances determined by the Board of
Trustees to be in the best interest of the Trust.
|
|
n
|
Pay redemptions by a distribution
in-kind of securities (instead of cash). If you receive
redemption proceeds in-kind, you should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of those securities.
|
|
n
|
Reinvest any amounts (
e.g.
,
dividends, distributions or redemption proceeds) which you have
elected to receive by check should your check be returned to the
Fund as undeliverable or remain uncashed for six months. This
provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified
accounts or to a closed account. Your participation in a
systematic withdrawal program may be terminated if your checks
remain uncashed. No interest will accrue on amounts represented
by uncashed checks.
|
|
n
|
Charge an additional fee in the
event a redemption is made via wire transfer.
|
None of the Trust, the Investment Adviser nor Goldman Sachs will
be responsible for any loss in an investors account or tax
liability resulting from a redemption.
Can
I Reinvest Redemption Proceeds In The Same Or Another Goldman
Sachs Fund?
You may redeem shares of the Fund and reinvest a portion or all
of the redemption proceeds (plus any additional amounts needed
to round off purchases to the nearest full share) at NAV. To be
eligible for this privilege, you must have held the shares you
want to redeem for at least 30 days and you must reinvest
the share proceeds within 90 days after you redeem.
|
|
|
|
n
|
You should obtain and read the
applicable prospectuses before investing in any other Goldman
Sachs Funds.
|
|
n
|
If you pay a CDSC upon redemption
of Class A or Class C Shares and then reinvest in
Class A or Class C Shares of another Goldman Sachs
Fund as described above, your account will be credited with the
amount of the CDSC you paid. The reinvested shares will,
however, continue to be subject to a CDSC. The holding period of
the shares acquired through reinvestment will include the
holding period of the redeemed shares for purposes of computing
the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption.
|
|
n
|
The reinvestment privilege may be
exercised at any time in connection with transactions in which
the proceeds are reinvested at NAV in a tax-sheltered Employee
Benefit Plan. In other cases, the reinvestment privilege may be
exercised once per year upon receipt of a written request.
|
47
|
|
|
|
n
|
You may be subject to tax as a
result of a redemption. You should consult your tax adviser
concerning the tax consequences of a redemption and reinvestment.
|
Can
I Exchange My Investment From One Goldman Sachs Fund To Another
Goldman Sachs Fund?
You may exchange shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund at NAV without
the imposition of an initial sales charge or CDSC, if
applicable, at the time of exchange for certain shares of
another Goldman Sachs Fund. Redemption of shares (including by
exchange) of certain Goldman Sachs Funds offered in other
prospectuses may, however, be subject to a redemption fee for
shares that are held for either 30 or 60 days or less. The
exchange privilege may be materially modified or withdrawn at
any time upon 60 days written notice. You should contact
your Authorized Institution to arrange for exchanges of shares
of the Fund for shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund.
You should keep in mind the following factors when making or
considering an exchange:
|
|
|
|
n
|
You should obtain and carefully
read the prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund you are acquiring
before making an exchange. You should be aware that not all
Goldman Sachs Funds may offer all share classes.
|
|
n
|
Currently, the Fund does not impose
any charge for exchanges, although the Fund may impose a charge
in the future.
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|
n
|
The exchanged shares may later be
exchanged for shares of the same class of the original Fund at
the next determined NAV without the imposition of an initial
sales charge or CDSC (but subject to any applicable redemption
fee) if the amount in the Fund resulting from such exchanges is
less than the largest amount on which you have previously paid
the applicable sales charge.
|
|
n
|
When you exchange shares subject to
a CDSC, no CDSC will be charged at that time. For purposes of
determining the amount of the applicable CDSC, the length of
time you have owned the shares will be measured from the date
you acquired the original shares subject to a CDSC, and the
amount and terms of the CDSC will be that applicable to the
original shares acquired, and will not be affected by a
subsequent exchange.
|
|
n
|
Eligible investors may exchange
certain classes of shares for another class of shares of the
same Fund. For further information, contact your Authorized
Institution.
|
|
n
|
All exchanges which represent an
initial investment in a Goldman Sachs Fund must satisfy the
minimum initial investment requirement of that Fund. This
requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Trust.
Exchanges into a money market fund need not meet the traditional
minimum investment requirements for that fund if the entire
balance of the original Fund account is exchanged.
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48
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
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|
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|
n
|
Exchanges are available only in
states where exchanges may be legally made.
|
|
n
|
It may be difficult to make
telephone exchanges in times of unusual economic or market
conditions.
|
|
n
|
Goldman Sachs and BFDS may use
reasonable procedures described under What Do I Need To
Know About Telephone Redemption Requests? in an effort to
prevent unauthorized or fraudulent telephone exchange requests.
|
|
n
|
Normally, a telephone exchange will
be made only to an identically registered account.
|
|
n
|
Exchanges into Goldman Sachs Funds
or certain share classes of Goldman Sachs Funds that are closed
to new investors may be restricted.
|
|
n
|
Exchanges into the Fund from
another Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to any redemption fee
imposed by the other Goldman Sachs Fund.
|
For federal income tax purposes, an exchange from one Goldman
Sachs Fund to another is treated as a redemption of the shares
surrendered in the exchange, on which you may be subject to tax,
followed by a purchase of shares received in the exchange.
Exchanges within Retirement Plan accounts will not result in
capital gains or loss for federal or state income tax purposes.
You should consult your tax adviser concerning the tax
consequences of an exchange.
Can
I Arrange To Have Automatic Investments Made On A Regular
Basis?
You may be able to make automatic investments in Class A
and Class C Shares through your bank via ACH transfer or
bank draft each month. The minimum dollar amount for this
service is $250 for the initial investment and $50 per month for
additional investments. Forms for this option are available at
www.goldmansachsfunds.com
and from your Authorized
Institution, or you may check the appropriate box on the Account
Application.
Can
My Dividends And Distributions From The Fund Be Invested In
Other Goldman Sachs Funds?
You may elect to cross-reinvest dividends and capital gains
distributions paid by a Goldman Sachs Fund in shares of the same
class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
|
|
|
|
n
|
Shares will be purchased at NAV.
|
|
n
|
You may elect to cross-reinvest
into an identically registered account or a similarly registered
account provided that at least one name on the account is
registered identically.
|
|
n
|
You cannot make cross-reinvestments
into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Funds minimum
initial investment requirement is met.
|
|
n
|
You should obtain and read the
prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which dividends are
invested.
|
49
Can
I Arrange To Have Automatic Exchanges Made On A Regular
Basis?
You may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar
amount of Class A or Class C Shares of the Fund for
shares of the same class of other Goldman Sachs Funds.
|
|
|
|
n
|
Shares will be purchased at NAV if
a sales charge had been imposed on the initial purchase.
|
|
n
|
You may elect cross-reinvestment
into an identically registered account or a similarly registered
account provided that at least one name on the account is
registered identically.
|
|
n
|
Shares subject to a CDSC acquired
under this program may be subject to a CDSC at the time of
redemption from the Goldman Sachs Fund into which the exchange
is made depending upon the date and value of your original
purchase.
|
|
n
|
Automatic exchanges are made
monthly on the
15
th
day
of each month or the first business day thereafter.
|
|
n
|
Minimum dollar amount: $50 per
month.
|
|
n
|
You cannot make automatic exchanges
into a Goldman Sachs Fund unless that Funds minimum
initial investment requirement is met.
|
|
n
|
You should obtain and read the
prospectus of the Goldman Sachs Fund into which automatic
exchanges are made.
|
Can
I Have Automatic Withdrawals Made On A Regular Basis?
You may redeem from your Class A or Class C Share
account systematically via check or ACH transfer in any amount
of $50 or more.
|
|
|
|
n
|
It is normally undesirable to
maintain a systematic withdrawal plan at the same time that you
are purchasing additional Class A or Class C Shares
because of the sales charges that are imposed on certain
purchases of Class A Shares and because of the CDSCs that
are imposed on certain redemptions of Class A and
Class C Shares.
|
|
n
|
Checks are normally mailed within
two business days after your selected systematic withdrawal date
of either the
15
th
or
25
th
of
the month. ACH payments may take up to three business days to
post to your account after your selected systematic withdrawal
date between, and including, the
3
rd
and
26
th
of
the month.
|
|
n
|
Each systematic withdrawal is a
redemption and therefore may be a taxable transaction.
|
|
n
|
The CDSC applicable to Class A
or Class C Shares redeemed under the systematic withdrawal
plan may be waived. The Fund reserves the right to limit such
redemptions, on an annual basis, to 12% of the value of
Class C Shares and 10% of the value of Class A Shares.
|
What
Types Of Reports Will I Be Sent Regarding My
Investment?
Authorized Institutions and other financial intermediaries may
provide varying arrangements for their clients to purchase and
redeem Fund shares. In addition, Authorized Institutions and
other financial intermediaries are responsible for
50
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
providing to you any communication from the Fund to its
shareholders, including but not limited to, prospectuses,
prospectus supplements, proxy materials and notices regarding
the source of dividend payments under Section 19 of the
Investment Company Act. They may charge additional fees not
described in this Prospectus to their customers for such
services.
You will be provided with a printed confirmation of each
transaction in your account and a quarterly account statement if
you invest in Class A, Class C, Class IR or
Class R shares and a monthly account statement if you
invest in Institutional Shares. If your account is held through
your Authorized Institution, you will receive this information
from your Authorized Institution.
You will also receive an annual shareholder report containing
audited financial statements and a semi-annual shareholder
report. If you have consented to the delivery of a single copy
of shareholder reports, prospectuses and other information to
all shareholders who share the same mailing address with your
account, you may revoke your consent at any time by contacting
Goldman Sachs Funds at the appropriate phone number or address
found on the back cover of this Prospectus. The Fund will begin
sending individual copies to you within 30 days after
receipt of your revocation. If your account is held through an
Authorized Institution, please contact the Authorized
Institution to revoke your consent.
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTION AND
SERVICE FEES
|
What
Are The Different Distribution
And/Or
Service Fees Paid By The Funds Shares?
The Trust has adopted distribution and service plans (each a
Plan) under which Class A, Class C and
Class R Shares bear distribution
and/or
service fees paid to Goldman Sachs, some of which Goldman Sachs
may pay to Authorized Institutions. These financial
intermediaries seek distribution
and/or
servicing fee revenues to, among other things, offset the cost
of servicing small and medium sized plan investors and providing
information about the Fund. If the fees received by Goldman
Sachs pursuant to the Plans exceed its expenses, Goldman Sachs
may realize a profit from these arrangements. Goldman Sachs
generally receives and pays the distribution and service fees on
a quarterly basis.
Under the Plans, Goldman Sachs is entitled to a monthly fee from
the Fund for distribution services equal, on an annual basis, to
0.25%, 0.75% and 0.50%, respectively, of the Funds average
daily net assets attributed to Class A, Class C and
Class R Shares, respectively. Because these fees are paid
out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time,
these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may
cost you more than paying other types of such charges.
51
The distribution fees are subject to the requirements of
Rule 12b-1
under the Investment Company Act, and may be used (among other
things) for:
|
|
|
|
n
|
Compensation paid to and expenses
incurred by Authorized Institutions, Goldman Sachs and their
respective officers, employees and sales representatives;
|
|
n
|
Commissions paid to Authorized
Institutions;
|
|
n
|
Allocable overhead;
|
|
n
|
Telephone and travel expenses;
|
|
n
|
Interest and other costs associated
with the financing of such compensation and expenses;
|
|
n
|
Printing of prospectuses for
prospective shareholders;
|
|
n
|
Preparation and distribution of
sales literature or advertising of any type; and
|
|
n
|
All other expenses incurred in
connection with activities primarily intended to result in the
sale of Class A, Class C and Class R Shares.
|
In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman
Sachs normally begins paying the 0.75% distribution fee as an
ongoing commission to Authorized Institutions after the shares
have been held for one year. Goldman Sachs normally begins
accruing the annual 0.25% distribution fee for the Class A
Shares as an ongoing commission to Authorized Institutions
immediately. Goldman Sachs normally begins accruing the annual
0.50% distribution fee for the Class R Shares, as an
ongoing commission to Authorized Institutions, immediately.
Goldman Sachs generally pays the distribution fee on a quarterly
basis.
|
|
|
CLASS C PERSONAL
AND ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND FEES
|
Under the Class C Plan, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to
receive a separate fee equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the
Funds average daily net assets attributed to Class C
Shares. This fee is for personal and account maintenance
services, and may be used to make payments to Goldman Sachs,
Authorized Institutions and their officers, sales
representatives and employees for responding to inquiries of,
and furnishing assistance to, shareholders regarding ownership
of their shares or their accounts or similar services not
otherwise provided on behalf of the Fund. If the fees received
by Goldman Sachs pursuant to the Plan exceed its expenses,
Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from this arrangement.
In connection with the sale of Class C Shares, Goldman
Sachs normally begins paying the 0.25% ongoing service fee to
Authorized Institutions after the shares have been held for one
year.
52
SHAREHOLDER
GUIDE
|
|
|
RESTRICTIONS ON
EXCESSIVE TRADING PRACTICES
|
Policies and Procedures on Excessive Trading
Practices.
In accordance with the policy adopted by
the Board of Trustees, the Trust discourages frequent purchases
and redemptions of Fund shares and does not permit market timing
or other excessive trading practices. Purchases and exchanges
should be made with a view to longer-term investment purposes
only that are consistent with the investment policies and
practices of the Fund. Excessive, short-term (market timing)
trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies,
increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund
performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares
held by longer-term shareholders. The Trust and Goldman Sachs
reserve the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange
requests from any investor. The Trust and Goldman Sachs will not
be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase or
exchange orders. To minimize harm to the Trust and its
shareholders (or Goldman Sachs), the Trust (or Goldman Sachs)
will exercise this right if, in the Trusts (or Goldman
Sachs) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive
trading or if an investors trading, in the judgment of the
Trust (or Goldman Sachs), has been or may be disruptive to the
Fund. In making this judgment, trades executed in multiple
accounts under common ownership or control may be considered
together to the extent they can be identified. No waivers of the
provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market
timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that
would harm the Trust or its shareholders or would subordinate
the interests of the Trust or its shareholders to those of
Goldman Sachs or any affiliated person or associated person of
Goldman Sachs.
To deter excessive shareholder trading, certain Goldman Sachs
Funds offered in other prospectuses impose a redemption fee on
redemptions made within 30 or 60 days of purchase, subject
to certain exceptions as described in those Goldman Sachs
Funds prospectuses. As a further deterrent to excessive
trading, many foreign equity securities held by Goldman Sachs
Funds are priced by an independent pricing service using fair
valuation. For more information on fair valuation, please see
How To Buy SharesHow Are Shares Priced?
Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of the
Trust, Goldman Sachs has developed criteria that it uses to
identify trading activity that may be excessive. Excessive
trading activity in the Fund is measured by the number of
round trip transactions in a shareholders
account. A round trip includes a purchase or
exchange into the Fund followed or preceded by a redemption or
exchange out of the Fund. If the Fund detects that a shareholder
has completed two or more round trip transactions within a
rolling
90-day
period, the Fund may reject or restrict subsequent purchase or
exchange orders by that shareholder permanently. In addition,
the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permanently reject or
restrict
53
purchase or exchange orders by a shareholder if the Fund detects
other trading activity that is deemed to be disruptive to the
management of the Fund or otherwise harmful to the Fund. For
purposes of these transaction surveillance procedures, the Fund
may consider trading activity in multiple accounts under common
ownership, control, or influence. A shareholder that has been
restricted from participation in the Fund pursuant to this
policy will be allowed to apply for re-entry after one year. A
shareholder applying for re-entry must provide assurances
acceptable to the Fund that the shareholder will not engage in
excessive trading activities in the future.
Goldman Sachs may modify its surveillance procedures and
criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the
detection of excessive trading or to address specific
circumstances. Goldman Sachs will apply the criteria in a manner
that, in Goldman Sachs judgment, will be uniform.
Fund shares may be held through omnibus arrangements maintained
by financial intermediaries such as broker-dealers, investment
advisers and insurance companies. In addition, Fund shares may
be held in omnibus 401(k) plans, Employee Benefit Plans,
Eligible Fee-Based Programs and other group accounts. Omnibus
accounts include multiple investors and such accounts typically
provide the Fund with a net purchase or redemption request on
any given day where the purchases and redemptions of Fund shares
by the investors are netted against one another. The identity of
individual investors whose purchase and redemption orders are
aggregated are ordinarily not tracked by the Fund on a regular
basis. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have
the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds
market timing policies or any applicable redemption fee. While
Goldman Sachs may monitor share turnover at the omnibus account
level, the Funds ability to monitor and detect market
timing by shareholders or apply any applicable redemption fee in
these omnibus accounts may be limited in certain circumstances,
and certain of these financial intermediaries may charge the
Fund a fee for providing certain shareholder information
requested as part of the Funds surveillance process. The
netting effect makes it more difficult to identify, locate and
eliminate market timing activities. In addition, those investors
who engage in market timing and other excessive trading
activities may employ a variety of techniques to avoid
detection. There can be no assurance that the Fund and Goldman
Sachs will be able to identify all those who trade excessively
or employ a market timing strategy, and curtail their trading in
every instance. If necessary, the Trust may prohibit additional
purchases of Fund shares by a financial intermediary or by
certain of the financial intermediarys customers.
Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers
trading activities in the Fund. The criteria used by financial
intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from
the criteria used by the Fund. If a financial intermediary fails
to cooperate in the implementation or enforcement of the
Trusts excessive trading policies, the Trust may take
certain actions including terminating the relationship.
54
Taxation
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment
in the Fund will be taxed. The tax information below is provided
as general information. More tax information is available in the
SAI. You should consult your tax adviser about the federal,
state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in
the Fund. Except as otherwise noted, the tax information
provided assumes that you are a U.S. citizen or resident.
Unless your investment is through an IRA or other tax-advantaged
account, you should carefully consider the possible tax
consequences of Fund distributions and the sale of your Fund
shares.
The Fund contemplates declaring as dividends each year all or
substantially all of its taxable income. Distributions you
receive from the Fund are generally subject to federal income
tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes. This is
true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund
shares or receive them in cash. For federal tax purposes, the
Funds distributions attributable to net investment income
and short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary
income while distributions of long-term capital gains are
taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long
you have owned your Fund shares.
Under current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the
Code), the maximum long-term capital gain tax rate
applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is 15%. Fund
distributions to noncorporate shareholders attributable to
dividends received by the Fund from U.S. and certain qualified
foreign corporations will generally be taxed at the long-term
capital gain rate of 15%, as long as certain other requirements
are met. For these lower rates to apply, the non-corporate
shareholder must own their Fund shares for at least 61 days
during the
121-day
period beginning 60 days before the Funds ex-dividend
date. The amount of the Funds distributions that would
otherwise qualify for this favorable tax treatment will be
reduced as a result of a high portfolio turnover rate.
A sunset provision provides that the 15% long-term capital gain
rate will increase to 20% and the taxation of dividends at the
long-term capital gain rate will end after 2012.
Although distributions are generally treated as taxable to you
in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October,
November or December but paid in January are taxable as if they
were paid in December. A percentage of the Funds
dividends
55
paid to corporate shareholders may be eligible for the corporate
dividends-received deduction. This percentage may, however, be
reduced as a result of a high portfolio turnover rate. Character
and tax status of all distributions will be available to
shareholders after the close of each calendar year.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign
taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. In
general, the Fund may deduct these taxes in computing its
taxable income.
If you buy shares of the Fund before it makes a distribution,
the distribution will be taxable to you even though it may
actually be a return of a portion of your investment. This is
known as buying into a dividend.
Your sale of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal
income tax purposes, and may also be subject to state and local
taxes. For tax purposes, the exchange of your Fund shares for
shares of a different Goldman Sachs Fund is the same as a sale.
When you sell your shares, you will generally recognize a
capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between your adjusted tax basis in the shares and the amount
received. Generally, this capital gain or loss is long-term or
short-term depending on whether your holding period exceeds one
year, except that any loss realized on shares held for six
months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to
the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on
the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale, exchange
or redemption of shares of the Fund may be disallowed under
wash sale rules to the extent the shares disposed of
are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of
61 days beginning 30 days before and ending
30 days after the date of disposition, such as pursuant to
a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed,
the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the
shares acquired.
When you open your account, you should provide your Social
Security Number or Tax Identification Number on your Account
Application. By law, the Fund must withhold 28% (currently
scheduled to increase to 31% after 2012) of your taxable
distributions and any redemption proceeds if you do not provide
your correct taxpayer identification number, or certify that it
is correct, or if the IRS instructs the Fund to do so.
The Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on
Form 1099-B
not only the gross proceeds of Fund shares you sell or redeem
but also, for shares
56
TAXATION
purchased on or after January 1, 2012, their cost basis.
Cost basis will be calculated using the Funds default
method of average cost, unless you instruct the Fund to use a
different methodology.
If you would like to use the average
cost method of calculation, no action is required. To elect an
alternative method, you should contact Goldman Sachs Funds at
the address or phone number on the back cover of this
Prospectus. If your account is held with an Authorized
Institution, contact your representative with respect to
reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
You should carefully review the cost basis information provided
by the Fund and make any additional basis, holding period or
other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts
on your federal income tax returns.
Non-U.S. investors
are generally subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax.
However, withholding is generally not required on properly
designated distributions to
non-U.S. investors
of long-term capital gains.
One of the requirements for favorable tax treatment as a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code is
that the Fund derive at least 90% of its gross income from
certain qualifying sources of income. The IRS has issued
private letter rulings in which the IRS specifically concluded
that income and gains from certain commodity index-linked
structured notes and investments through a subsidiary is
qualifying income. However, the IRS has indicated that the
granting of such private letter rulings is currently suspended,
pending further internal discussion. The Fund has not received
such a private letter ruling, and is not able to rely on private
letter rulings issued to other taxpayers. Accordingly, its
ability to make commodity-linked investments and invest through
a subsidiary is restricted. The IRS may ultimately conclude and
assert that income and gains from such structured notes and/or
investments through a subsidiary will not be considered
qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund
remains qualified as a regulated investment company for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. The tax treatment of
commodity-linked notes, other commodity-linked derivatives
and/or investments through a subsidiary may also be adversely
affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or
guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character,
timing and/or amount of the Funds taxable income or any
gains and distributions made by the Fund.
57
Appendix A
Additional Information on Portfolio
Risks, Securities and Techniques
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A. General
Portfolio Risks
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The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with equity
investments. Equity investments may include common
stocks, equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint
ventures, limited liability companies and similar enterprises,
other investment companies (including ETFs) warrants, stock
purchase rights and synthetic and derivative instruments (such
as swaps and futures contracts) that have economic
characteristics similar to equity securities. In general, the
values of equity investments fluctuate in response to the
activities of individual companies and in response to general
market and economic conditions. Accordingly, the values of
equity investments that the Fund holds may decline over short or
extended periods. The stock markets tend to be cyclical, with
periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices
generally decline. This volatility means that the value of your
investment in the Fund may increase or decrease. In recent
years, certain stock markets have experienced substantial price
volatility. To the extent the Funds net assets decrease or
increase in the future due to price volatility or share
redemption or purchase activity, the Funds expense ratio
may correspondingly increase or decrease from the expense ratio
disclosed in this Prospectus.
To the extent that the Fund invests in fixed income securities,
the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with its
fixed income securities. These risks include interest rate risk,
credit/default risk and call/extension risk. In general,
interest rate risk involves the risk that when interest rates
decline, the market value of fixed income securities tends to
increase (although many mortgage-related securities will have
less potential than other debt securities for capital
appreciation during periods of declining rates). Conversely,
when interest rates increase, the market value of fixed income
securities tends to decline. Credit/default risk involves the
risk that an issuer or guarantor could default on its
obligations, and the Fund will not recover its investment. Call
risk and extension risk are normally present in mortgage-backed
securities and asset-backed securities. For example, homeowners
have the option to prepay their mortgages. Therefore, the
duration of a security backed by home mortgages can either
shorten (call risk) or lengthen (extension risk). In general, if
interest rates on new mortgage loans fall sufficiently below the
interest rates on existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate
of prepayment would be expected to increase. Conversely, if
mortgage loan interest rates rise above the interest rates on
existing outstanding mortgage loans, the rate of prepayment
would be expected to
58
APPENDIX
A
decrease. In either case, a change in the prepayment rate can
result in losses to investors. The same would be true of
asset-backed securities such as securities backed by car loans.
The Fund may invest in non-investment grade fixed income
securities (commonly known as junk bonds), which are
rated below investment grade (or determined to be of equivalent
quality, if not rated) at the time of purchase and are therefore
considered speculative. Because non-investment grade fixed
income securities are issued by issuers with low credit ratings,
they pose a greater risk of default than investment grade
securities.
The Investment Adviser will not consider the portfolio turnover
rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions for the
Fund. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) involves
correspondingly greater expenses which must be borne by the Fund
and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher
short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders. The portfolio
turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the dollar
amount of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the
average monthly value of the Funds portfolio securities,
excluding securities having a maturity at the date of purchase
of one year or less.
The following sections provide further information on certain
types of securities and investment techniques that may be used
by the Fund, including their associated risks. Additional
information is provided in the SAI, which is available upon
request. Among other things, the SAI describes certain
fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed
without shareholder approval. You should note, however, that all
investment objectives and all investment policies not
specifically designated as fundamental are non-fundamental, and
may be changed without shareholder approval. If there is a
change in the Funds investment objective, you should
consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in
light of your then current financial position and needs.
Risks of Foreign Investments.
The Fund may
make foreign investments. Foreign investments involve special
risks that are not typically associated with U.S. dollar
denominated or quoted securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign
investments may be affected by changes in currency rates,
changes in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to
such investments and changes in exchange control regulations
(
e.g.
, currency blockage). A decline in the exchange rate
of the currency (
i.e.
, weakening of the currency against
the U.S. dollar) in which a portfolio security is quoted or
denominated relative to the U.S. dollar would reduce the value
of the portfolio security. In addition, if the currency in which
the Fund receives dividends, interest
59
or other payments declines in value against the U.S. dollar
before such income is distributed as dividends to shareholders
or converted to U.S. dollars, the Fund may have to sell
portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to pay such
dividends.
Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs
relating to investment in international securities markets
generally are more expensive than in the United States. In
addition, clearance and settlement procedures may be different
in foreign countries and, in certain markets, such procedures
have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities
transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such
transactions.
Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards comparable to those
applicable to U.S. issuers. There may be less publicly available
information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer. In
addition, there is generally less government regulation of
foreign markets, companies and securities dealers than in the
United States and the legal remedies for investors may be more
limited than the remedies available in the United States.
Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume
than U.S. securities markets and securities of many foreign
issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of
comparable domestic issuers. Furthermore, with respect to
certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of
nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation,
imposition of withholding or other taxes on dividend or interest
payments (or, in some cases, capital gains distributions),
limitations on the removal of funds or other assets from such
countries, and risks of political or social instability or
diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments
in those countries.
Investments in foreign securities may take the form of sponsored
and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (ADRs),
Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), European
Depositary Receipts (EDRs) or other similar
instruments representing securities of foreign issuers. ADRs,
GDRs and EDRs represent the right to receive securities of
foreign issuers deposited in a bank or other depository. ADRs
and certain GDRs are traded in the United States. GDRs may be
traded in either the United States or in foreign markets. EDRs
are traded primarily outside the United States. Prices of ADRs
are quoted in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are not
necessarily quoted in the same currency as the underlying
security.
Risks of Sovereign Debt.
Investment in
sovereign debt obligations by the Fund involves risks not
present in debt obligations of corporate issuers. The issuer of
the debt or the governmental authorities that control the
repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay
principal or interest when due in accordance with the terms of
such debt, and the Fund may have limited recourse to compel
payment in the event of a default. Periods of economic
uncertainty may result in the volatility
60
APPENDIX
A
of market prices of sovereign debt, and in turn the Funds
NAV, to a greater extent than the volatility inherent in debt
obligations of U.S. issuers.
A sovereign debtors willingness or ability to repay
principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected
by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of
its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient
foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size
of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the
sovereign debtors policy toward international lenders, and
the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be
subject.
Risks of Emerging Countries.
The Fund may
invest in securities of issuers located in emerging countries or
investments limited to commodities sourced from emerging
countries. The risks of foreign investment are heightened when
the issuer is located in an emerging country. Emerging countries
are generally located in the Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and
Central and South America. The purchase and sale of portfolio
securities in certain emerging countries may be constrained by
limitations relating to daily changes in the prices of listed
securities, periodic trading or settlement volume and/or
limitations on aggregate holdings of foreign investors. Such
limitations may be computed based on the aggregate trading
volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, its
affiliates and their respective clients and other service
providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in
circumstances where price, trading or settlement volume
limitations have been reached.
Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging
countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which
may limit investment in such countries or increase the
administrative costs of such investments. For example, certain
Asian countries require governmental approval prior to
investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign
persons to only a specified percentage of an issuers
outstanding securities or a specific class of securities which
may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In
addition, certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment
opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to
national interests. Such restrictions may affect the market
price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be purchased
by the Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and
capital from certain emerging countries is subject to
restrictions such as the need for governmental consents. In
situations where a country restricts direct investment in
securities (which may occur in certain Asian and other
countries), the Fund may invest in such countries through other
investment funds in such countries.
Many emerging countries have experienced currency devaluations
and substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of
inflation. Other emerging countries have experienced economic
recessions. These circumstances have had a negative
61
effect on the economies and securities markets of such emerging
countries. Economies in emerging countries generally are
dependent heavily upon commodity prices and international trade
and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected
adversely by the economies of their trading partners, trade
barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative
currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or
negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
Many emerging countries are subject to a substantial degree of
economic, political and social instability. Governments of some
emerging countries are authoritarian in nature or have been
installed or removed as a result of military coups, while
governments in other emerging countries have periodically used
force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace
and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial
disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social
unrest, violence and/or labor unrest in some emerging countries.
Unanticipated political or social developments may result in
sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in emerging
countries involves greater risk of loss due to expropriation,
nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the
imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on
repatriation of capital invested. As an example, in the past,
some Eastern European governments have expropriated substantial
amounts of private property, and many claims of the property
owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that
similar expropriations will not recur in Eastern European or
other countries.
The Funds investment in emerging countries may also be
subject to withholding or other taxes, which may be significant
and may reduce the return to the Fund from an investment in
issuers in such countries.
Settlement procedures in emerging countries are frequently less
developed and reliable than those in the United States and may
involve the Funds delivery of securities before receipt of
payment for their sale. In addition, significant delays may
occur in certain markets in registering the transfer of
securities. Settlement or registration problems may make it more
difficult for the Fund to value its portfolio securities and
could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to
incur losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for
securities the Fund has delivered or the Funds inability
to complete its contractual obligations because of theft or
other reasons.
The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the
Fund in emerging countries may not be as sound as the
creditworthiness of firms used in more developed countries. As a
result, the Fund may be subject to a greater risk of loss if a
securities firm defaults in the performance of its
responsibilities.
62
APPENDIX
A
The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in
certain emerging countries and the limited volume of trading in
securities in those countries may make the Funds
investments in such countries less liquid and more volatile than
investments in countries with more developed securities markets
(such as the United States, Japan and most Western European
countries). The Funds investments in emerging countries
are subject to the risk that the liquidity of a particular
investment, or investments generally, in such countries will
shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of
adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse
investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the
lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses
because it will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous
time and only then at a substantial drop in price. Investments
in emerging countries may be more difficult to value precisely
because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading
volumes.
The Funds use of foreign currency management techniques in
emerging countries may be limited. The Investment Adviser
anticipates that a significant portion of the Funds
currency exposure in emerging countries may not be covered by
these techniques.
Foreign Custody Risk.
The Fund may hold
securities and cash with foreign banks, agents, and securities
depositories appointed by the Funds custodian (each a
Foreign Custodian). Some Foreign Custodians may be
recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In
some countries, Foreign Custodians may be subject to little or
no regulatory oversight over or independent evaluation of their
operations. Further, the laws of certain countries may place
limitations on the Funds ability to recover its assets if
a Foreign Custodian enters bankruptcy. Investments in emerging
markets may be subject to even greater custody risks than
investments in more developed markets. Custody services in
emerging market countries are very often undeveloped and may be
considerably less well regulated than in more developed
countries, and thus may not afford the same level of investor
protection as would apply in developed countries.
Risks of Derivative Investments.
The Fund
may, to the extent consistent with its investment policies,
invest in derivative instruments including without limitation,
options, futures, forwards, swaps, structured securities and
other derivatives relating to foreign currency transactions.
Investments in derivative instruments may be both for hedging
and nonhedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total
return), although suitable derivative instruments may not always
be available to the Investment Adviser for these purposes.
Losses from investments in derivative instruments can result
from a lack of correlation between changes in the value of
derivative instruments and the portfolio assets (if any)
being hedged, the potential illiquidity of the markets for
derivative instruments, the failure of the counterparty
63
to perform its contractual obligations, or the risks arising
from margin requirements and related leverage factors associated
with such transactions. Losses may also arise if the Fund
receives cash collateral under the transactions and some or all
of that collateral is invested in the market. To the extent that
cash collateral is so invested, such collateral will be subject
to market depreciation or appreciation, and the Fund may be
responsible for any loss that might result from its investment
of the counterpartys cash collateral. The use of these
management techniques also involves the risk of loss if the
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing
or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or
currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments may be
harder to value, subject to greater volatility and more likely
subject to changes in tax treatment than other investments. For
these reasons, the Investment Advisers attempts to hedge
portfolio risks through the use of derivative instruments may
not be successful, and the Investment Adviser may choose not to
hedge certain portfolio risks. Investing for nonhedging purposes
is considered a speculative practice and presents even greater
risk of loss.
Risk of Equity Swap Transactions.
Equity
swaps are two party contracts entered into primarily by
institutional investors. In a standard swap
transaction, the parties agree to pay or exchange the returns
(or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a
particular predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be
adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends
paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns
to be paid or swapped between the parties are
generally calculated with respect to a notional
amount, for example, the increase or decrease in value of
a particular dollar amount invested in the asset.
Equity swaps may be structured in different ways. For example,
when the Fund takes a long position, a counterparty may agree to
pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of
the equity swap would have increased in value had it been
invested in a particular stock (or group of stocks), plus the
dividends that would have been received on the stock. In these
cases, the Fund may agree to pay to the counterparty interest on
the notional amount of the equity swap plus the amount, if any,
by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had
it been invested in such stock. Therefore, in this case the
return to the Fund on the equity swap should be the gain or loss
on the notional amount plus dividends on the stock less the
interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other
cases, when the Fund takes a short position, a counterparty may
agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional
amount of the equity swap would have decreased in value had the
Fund sold a particular stock (or group of stocks) short, less
the dividend expense that the Fund would have paid on the stock,
as adjusted for interest payments or other economic factors.
64
APPENDIX
A
Under an equity swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of
the equity swap or periodically during its term. Sometimes,
however, the Investment Adviser may be able to terminate a swap
contract prior to its term, subject to any potential termination
fee that is in addition to the Funds accrued obligations
under the swap. Equity swaps will be made in the
over-the-counter market and will be entered into with a
counterparty that typically will be an investment banking firm,
broker-dealer or bank.
Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very
volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not
accurately analyze and predict future market trends, the values
of assets or economic factors, the Fund may suffer a loss, which
may be substantial.
Risks of Illiquid Securities.
The Fund may
invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities which
cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of
business at fair value. Illiquid securities in which the Fund
may invest include:
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n
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Both domestic and foreign
securities that are not readily marketable
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n
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Repurchase agreements and time
deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days
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n
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Certain over-the-counter options
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n
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Certain structured securities and
swap transactions
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n
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Certain restricted securities,
unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading
markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted
security is liquid because it is so-called 4(2) commercial
paper or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933
(144A Securities).
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Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the
Funds portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional
buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these
restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent
valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect
a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of
comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
Securities purchased by the Fund, particularly debt securities
and over-the-counter traded instruments, that are liquid at the
time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid due to events
relating to the issuer of the securities, markets events,
economic conditions or investor perceptions. Domestic and
foreign markets are becoming more and more complex and
interrelated, so that events in one sector of the market or the
economy, or in one geographical region, can reverberate and have
negative consequences for other market, economic or regional
sectors in a manner that may not be reasonably foreseen. With
respect to over-the-counter traded securities, the continued
viability of any over-the-counter secondary market depends
65
on the continued willingness of dealers and other participants
to purchase the securities.
If one or more instruments in the Funds portfolio become
illiquid, the Fund may exceed its 15 percent limitation in
illiquid instruments. In the event that changes in the portfolio
or other external events cause the investments in illiquid
instruments to exceed 15 percent of the Funds net
assets, the Fund must take steps to bring the aggregate amount
of illiquid instruments back within the prescribed limitations
as soon as reasonably practicable. This requirement would not
force the Fund to liquidate any portfolio instrument where the
Fund would suffer a loss on the sale of that instrument.
In cases where no clear indication of the value of the
Funds portfolio instruments is available, the portfolio
instruments will be valued at their fair value according to the
valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. These
cases include, among others, situations where the secondary
markets on which a security has previously been traded are no
longer viable for lack of liquidity. For more information on
fair valuation, please see Shareholder GuideHow to
Buy SharesHow Are Shares Priced?.
Credit/Default Risks.
Debt securities
purchased by the Fund may include U.S. Government Securities
(including zero coupon bonds) and securities issued by foreign
governments, domestic and foreign corporations, banks and other
issuers. Some of these fixed income securities are described in
the next section below. Further information is provided in the
SAI.
Debt securities rated BBB or higher by Standard &
Poors Rating Group (Standard &
Poors), or Baa or higher by Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or having a
comparable rating by another NRSRO are considered
investment grade. Securities rated BBB or Baa
are considered medium-grade obligations with speculative
characteristics, and adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances may weaken their issuers capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. A security will be deemed to have
met a rating requirement if it receives the minimum required
rating from at least one such rating organization even though it
has been rated below the minimum rating by one or more other
rating organizations, or if unrated by such rating
organizations, the security is determined by the Investment
Adviser to be of comparable credit quality. A security satisfies
the Funds minimum rating requirement regardless of its
relative ranking (for example, plus or minus) within a
designated major rating category (for example, BBB or Baa). If a
security satisfies the Funds minimum rating requirement at
the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below that
rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of the
security. If a downgrade occurs, the Investment Adviser will
consider which
66
APPENDIX
A
action, including the sale of the security, is in the best
interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
The Fund may invest in fixed income securities rated BB or Ba or
below (or comparable unrated securities) which are commonly
referred to as junk bonds. Junk bonds are considered
predominantly speculative and may be questionable as to
principal and interest payments.
In some cases, junk bonds may be highly speculative, have poor
prospects for reaching investment grade standing and be in
default. As a result, investment in such bonds will present
greater speculative risks than those associated with investment
in investment grade bonds. Also, to the extent that the rating
assigned to a security in the Funds portfolio is
downgraded by a rating organization, the market price and
liquidity of such security may be adversely affected.
Risks of Short Selling.
The Fund may engage
in short selling. In these transactions, the Fund sells a
financial instrument it does not own in anticipation of a
decline in the market value of the instrument, then must borrow
the instrument to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is
obligated to replace the financial instrument borrowed by
purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement.
The price at such time may be more or less than the price at
which the instrument was sold by the Fund, which may result in a
loss or gain, respectively. Unlike purchasing a financial
instrument like a stock, where potential losses are limited to
the purchase price and there is no upside limit on potential
gain, short sales involve no cap on maximum losses, while gains
are limited to the price of the stock at the time of the short
sale.
The Fund may, during the term of any short sale, withdraw the
cash proceeds of such short sale and use these cash proceeds to
purchase additional securities or for any other Fund purposes.
Because cash proceeds are Fund assets which are typically used
to satisfy the collateral requirements for the short sale, the
reinvestment of these cash proceeds may require the Fund to post
as collateral other securities that it owns. If the Fund
reinvests the cash proceeds, the Fund might be required to post
an amount greater than its net assets (but less than its total
assets) as collateral. For these or other reasons, the Fund
might be required to liquidate long and short positions at times
that may be disadvantageous to the Fund.
The Fund may also enter into a short derivative position through
a futures contract or swap agreement. Taking short positions
involves leverage of the Funds assets and presents various
risks. If the price of the instrument or market which the Fund
has taken a short position on increases, then the Fund will
incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time that
the short position was entered into plus any premiums and
interest paid to a third party. Therefore, taking short
positions
67
involves the risk that losses may be exaggerated, potentially
losing more money than the actual cost of the investment. Also,
there is the risk that the third party to the short sale may
fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.
Temporary Investment Risks.
The Fund may, for
temporary defensive purposes (and to the extent it is permitted
to invest in the following), invest a certain percentage of its
total assets in:
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n
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U.S. Government Securities
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n
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Commercial paper rated at least
A-2
by
Standard & Poors;
P-2
by
Moodys or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO (or,
if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of
comparable credit quality)
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n
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Certificates of deposit
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n
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Bankers acceptances
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n
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Repurchase agreements
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n
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Non-convertible preferred stocks
and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of
less than one year
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n
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ETFs
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n
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Other investment companies
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Cash items
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When the Funds assets are invested in such instruments,
the Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.
Risk of Large Shareholder
Redemptions.
Certain funds, accounts, individuals
or Goldman Sachs affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage
of the Funds shares. Redemptions by these funds, accounts
or individuals of their holdings in the Fund may impact the
Funds liquidity and NAV. These redemptions may also force
the Fund to sell securities, which may negatively impact the
Funds brokerage and tax costs.
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C. Portfolio
Securities and Techniques
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This section provides further information on certain types of
securities and investment techniques that may be used by the
Fund, including their associated risks.
The Fund may purchase other types of securities or instruments
similar to those described in this section if otherwise
consistent with the Funds investment objective and
policies. Further information is provided in the SAI, which is
available upon request.
Foreign Currency Transactions.
The Fund may,
to the extent consistent with its investment policies, purchase
or sell foreign currencies on a cash basis or through
68
APPENDIX
A
forward contracts. A forward contract involves an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price
set at the time of the contract.
The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions for hedging
purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in
future foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Fund
may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer
correlation between the Funds overall currency exposures
and the currency exposures of the Funds performance
benchmark. The Fund may also enter into such transactions to
seek to increase total return, which is considered a speculative
practice.
The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by using forward
contracts in a currency different from that in which the hedged
security is denominated or quoted. The Fund may hold foreign
currency received in connection with investments in foreign
securities when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, it
would be beneficial to convert such currency into U.S. dollars
at a later date (
e.g.
the Investment Adviser may
anticipate the foreign currency to appreciate against the U.S.
dollar).
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short
periods of time, causing, along with other factors, the
Funds NAV to fluctuate (when the Funds NAV
fluctuates, the value of your shares may go up or down).
Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by
the intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central
banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or
political developments in the United States or abroad.
The market in forward foreign currency exchange contracts,
currency swaps and other privately negotiated currency
instruments offers less protection against defaults by the other
party to such instruments than is available for currency
instruments traded on an exchange. Such contracts are subject to
the risk that the counterparty to the contract will default on
its obligations. Because these contracts are not guaranteed by
an exchange or clearinghouse, a default on a contract would
deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction costs or the
benefits of a currency hedge or could force the Fund to cover
its purchase or sale commitments, if any, at the current market
price.
As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must
set aside (often referred to as asset
segregation) liquid assets, or engage in other appropriate
measures to cover open positions with respect to its
transactions in forward currency contracts.
Commodity-linked Investments.
In accordance
with existing law or in reliance upon an IRS private letter
ruling or other applicable guidance or relief provided by the
IRS or other agencies, the Fund may invest in commodity-linked
derivative
69
instruments such as commodity-linked total return swaps,
commodity index-linked structured notes and other derivative
instruments that provide exposure to the investment returns of
the commodity markets without direct investment in physical
commodities or commodities futures contracts. Commodity-linked
total return swaps are derivative instruments whereby the cash
flows agreed upon between counterparties are dependant upon the
price of the underlying commodity or commodity index over the
life of the swap. The value of the swap will rise and fall in
response to changes in the underlying commodity or commodity
index. These swaps expose the Fund economically to movements in
commodity prices. The Fund may also invest in commodity-linked
notes that pay a return linked to the performance of a
commodities index or basket of futures contracts with respect to
all of the commodities in an index. In some cases, the return is
based on a multiple of the performance of the relevant index or
basket. Structured notes may be structured by the issuer or the
purchaser of the note. Structured notes are derivative debt
instruments with principal payments generally linked to the
value of commodities, commodity futures contracts or the
performance of commodity indices and interest and coupon
payments pegged to a market-based interest rate, such as LIBOR
or a banks prime rate. The value of these notes will rise
or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or
related index or investment. The Fund may also take long and/or
short positions in commodities by investing in other investment
companies, ETFs or other pooled investment vehicles, such as
commodity pools. Certain of these other investment vehicles may
seek to provide exposure to commodities without actually owning
physical commodities, and may therefore produce different
results than they would through ownership of the commodities.
The Fund does not directly invest in commodities.
Commodities are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious
metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other
items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or
bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments,
the Investment Adviser seeks to provide exposure to various
commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked
investments may be affected by a variety of factors, including,
but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors
affecting the value of particular industries or commodities,
such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism,
or political and regulatory developments.
The prices of commodity-linked investments may move in different
directions than investments in traditional equity and debt
securities when the value of those traditional securities is
declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example,
during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have
historically tended to decline in value due the general increase
in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same
periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities,
70
APPENDIX
A
such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of
course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments
will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times
the price movements of commodity-linked investments have been
parallel to those of debt and equity securities.
Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in
value during different parts of the business cycle than
financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities
prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets
and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification
benefits.
Under favorable economic conditions, the Funds investments
in commodity-linked investments may be expected to underperform
an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the
returns on such investments are expected to exhibit low or
negative correlation with stocks and bonds.
Structured Securities.
The Fund may invest in
structured securities. Structured securities are securities
whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value
of specific currencies, securities, interest rates, commodities,
indices or other financial indicators (the
Reference) or the relative change in two or more
References. Investments in structured securities may provide
exposure to certain securities or markets in situations where
regulatory or other restrictions prevent direct investments in
such issuers or markets.
The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity
or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon
changes in the applicable Reference. Structured securities may
be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the
Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest
rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes
in the interest rates or the value of the security at maturity
may be a multiple of changes in the value of the Reference.
Consequently, structured securities may present a greater degree
of market risk than many types of securities and may be more
volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately
than less complex securities. Structured securities are also
subject to the risk that the issuer of the structured securities
may fail to perform its contractual obligations. Certain issuers
of structured products may be deemed to be investment companies
as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, the
Funds investments in structured securities may be subject
to the limits applicable to investments in other investment
companies.
Structured securities may include equity linked notes. Any
equity linked note is a note whose performance is tied to a
single stock, a stock index or a basket of stocks. Equity linked
notes combine the principal protection normally associated with
fixed income investments with the potential for capital
appreciation normally associated with equity investments. Upon
the maturity of the note, the holder
71
generally receives a return of principal based on the capital
appreciation of the linked securities. Depending on the terms of
the note, equity linked notes may also have a cap or
floor on the maximum principal amount to be repaid
to holders, irrespective of the performance of the underlying
linked securities. For example, a note may guarantee the
repayment of the original principal amount invested (even if the
underlying linked securities have negative performance during
the notes term), but may cap the maximum payment at
maturity at a certain percentage of the issuance price or the
return of the underlying linked securities. Alternatively, the
note may not guarantee a full return on the original principal,
but may offer a greater participation in any capital
appreciation of the underlying linked securities. The terms of
an equity linked note may also provide for periodic interest
payments to holders at either a fixed or floating rate. The
secondary market for equity linked notes may be limited, and the
lack of liquidity in the secondary market may make these
securities difficult to dispose of and to value. Equity linked
notes will be considered equity securities for purposes of the
Funds investment objective and policies.
Structured securities may also include credit linked notes.
Credit linked notes are securities with embedded credit default
swaps. An investor holding a credit linked note generally
receives a fixed or floating coupon and the notes par
value upon maturity, unless the referred credit defaults or
declares bankruptcy, in which case the investor receives the
amount recovered. In effect, investors holding credit linked
notes receive a higher yield in exchange for assuming the risk
of a specified credit event.
Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Foreign
Currencies.
A put option gives the purchaser of the
option the right to sell, and the writer (seller) of the option
the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument during the
option period.
A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to
buy, and the writer (seller) of the option the obligation to
sell, the underlying instrument during the option period. The
Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options and purchase
put and call options on any securities in which the Fund may
invest or on any securities index consisting of securities in
which it may invest. The Fund may also, to the extent consistent
with its investment policies, purchase and sell (write) put and
call options on foreign currencies.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized
activity which involves special investment risks. Options may be
used for either hedging or cross-hedging purposes, or to seek to
increase total return (which is considered a speculative
activity). The successful use of options depends in part on the
ability of the Investment Adviser to anticipate future price
fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options
and securities (or currency) markets. If the
72
APPENDIX
A
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of changes in
market prices or determination of the correlation between the
instruments or indices on which options are written and
purchased and the instruments in the Funds investment
portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not otherwise
incur. The use of options can also increase the Funds
transaction costs. Options written or purchased by the Fund may
be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or
over-the-counter. Foreign and over-the-counter options will
present greater possibility of loss because of their greater
illiquidity and credit risks. When writing an option, the Fund
must set aside liquid assets, or engage in other
appropriate measures to cover its obligation under
the option contract.
Futures Contracts and Options and Swaps on Futures
Contracts.
Futures contracts are standardized,
exchange-traded contracts that provide for the sale or purchase
of a specified financial instrument or currency at a future time
at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the
purchaser the right (and the writer of the option the
obligation) to assume a position in a futures contract at a
specified exercise price within a specified period of time. A
swap on a futures contract provides an investor with the ability
to gain economic exposure to a particular futures market;
however, unlike a futures contract that is exchange-traded, a
swap on a futures contract is an over-the-counter transaction. A
futures contract may be based on particular securities, foreign
currencies, securities indices and other financial instruments
and indices. The Fund may engage in futures transactions on both
U.S. and foreign exchanges.
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, and purchase
and write call and put options on futures contracts and enter
into swaps on futures contracts in order to seek to increase
total return or to hedge against changes in interest rates,
securities prices or, to the extent the Fund invests in foreign
securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its
term structure, sector selections and duration in accordance
with its investment objective and policies. The Fund may also
enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect
to such contracts and options. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund,
has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange
Act, and therefore is not currently subject to registration or
regulation as a pool operator under that Act with respect to the
Fund. However, the CFTC has recently adopted amendments to CFTC
Rules, which, when effective, may subject the Fund to regulation
by the CFTC, and the Fund may have to operate subject to
applicable CFTC requirements, including registration, disclosure
and operational requirements governing commodity pools under the
CEA. Certain of the rules that would apply to the Fund if it
becomes subject to CFTC regulation as a commodity pool have not
yet been adopted, and it is unclear what the effect of those
rules would be on the Fund if they are adopted.
73
Futures contracts and related options and swaps present the
following risks:
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n
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While the Fund may benefit from the
use of futures and options and swaps on futures, unanticipated
changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency
exchange rates may result in poorer overall performance than if
the Fund had not entered into any futures contracts, options
transactions or swaps.
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n
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Because perfect correlation between
a futures position and a portfolio position that is intended to
be protected is impossible to achieve, the desired protection
may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to additional
risk of loss.
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n
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The loss incurred by the Fund in
entering into futures contracts and in writing call options and
entering into swaps on futures is potentially unlimited and may
exceed the amount of the premium received.
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Futures markets are highly volatile
and the use of futures may increase the volatility of the
Funds NAV.
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As a result of the low margin
deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively
small price movement in a futures contract may result in
substantial losses to the Fund.
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Futures contracts and options and
swaps on futures may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit
fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.
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Foreign exchanges may not provide
the same protection as U.S. exchanges.
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The Fund must set aside liquid assets, or engage in
other appropriate measures to cover open positions
with respect to its transactions in futures contracts and
options and swaps on futures contracts. In the case of futures
contracts that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must
set aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the
futures contracts while the positions are open. With respect to
futures contracts that do cash settle, however, the Fund is
permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the
Funds daily marked-to-market net obligations
(
i.e.
, the Funds daily net liability) under
the futures contracts, if any, rather than their full notional
value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset
segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in
the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its
staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal
to only its net obligations under cash-settled futures
contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to
a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate
assets equal to the full notional amount of the futures
contracts.
Repurchase Agreements.
Repurchase agreements
involve the purchase of securities subject to the sellers
agreement to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and
price. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
securities dealers and banks which furnish collateral at least
equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase
obligation.
74
APPENDIX
A
If the other party or seller defaults, the Fund
might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the
sale of the underlying securities and other collateral held by
the Fund are less than the repurchase price and the Funds
costs associated with delay and enforcement of the repurchase
agreement. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy of the
seller, the Fund could suffer additional losses if a court
determines that the Funds interest in the collateral is
not enforceable.
The Fund, together with other registered investment companies
having advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser or any of
its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a
single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which will
be invested in one or more repurchase agreements.
Other Investment Companies.
The Fund may
invest in securities of other investment companies, including
ETFs, subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the
Investment Company Act. These limitations include in certain
circumstances a prohibition on the Fund acquiring more than 3%
of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a
prohibition on investing more than 5% of the Funds total
assets in securities of any one investment company or more than
10% of its total assets in securities of all investment
companies. Many ETFs, however, have obtained exemptive relief
from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the
ETFs shares beyond these statutory limitations, subject to
certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement
between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely on
these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs.
The use of ETFs is intended to help the Fund match the total
return of the particular market segments or indices represented
by those ETFs, although that may not be the result. Most ETFs
are passively managed investment companies whose shares are
purchased and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF represents a
portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market
segment or index. An investment in an ETF generally presents the
same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund
(
i.e.
, one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same
investment objectives, strategies and policies. In addition, an
ETF may fail to accurately track the market segment or index
that underlies its investment objective. The price of an ETF can
fluctuate, and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF.
Moreover, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not
apply to conventional funds: (i) the market price of the
ETFs shares may trade at a premium or a discount to their
NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETFs shares
may not develop or be maintained; and (iii) there is no
assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to
maintain the listing of an ETF will continue to be met or remain
unchanged.
Pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an
exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Fund may invest in
certain other investment companies and money market funds beyond
the statutory limits described above. Some of those
75
investment companies and money market funds may be funds for
which the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates serves as
investment adviser, administrator or distributor.
The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any
management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment
companies, in addition to the fees and expenses regularly borne
by the Fund. Although the Fund does not expect to do so in the
foreseeable future, it is authorized to invest substantially all
of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series
thereof that has substantially the same investment objective,
policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund.
Bank Obligations.
The Fund may invest in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank
obligations, including without limitation, time deposits,
bankers acceptances and certificates of deposit, may be
general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the
issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by
government regulations. Banks are subject to extensive but
different governmental regulations which may limit both the
amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates
which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the
banking industry is largely dependent upon the availability and
cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations
under prevailing money market conditions. General economic
conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from
possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important
part in the operation of this industry.
U.S. Government Securities.
The Fund may
invest in U.S. Government securities. U.S. Government securities
include U.S. Treasury obligations and obligations issued or
guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government securities may be
supported by (i) the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury; (ii) the right of the issuer to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury; (iii) the discretionary authority of the
U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the issuer;
or (iv) only the credit of the issuer. U.S. Government
securities also include Treasury receipts, zero coupon bonds and
other stripped U.S. Government securities, where the
interest and principal components of stripped U.S. Government
securities are traded independently. U.S. Government
securities may also include Treasury inflation-protected
securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted
according to the rate of inflation. U.S. Government
securities are deemed to include (a) securities for which
the payment of principal and interest is backed by an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government,
its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and
(b) participations in loans made to foreign governments or
their agencies that are so guaranteed. Certain of these
participations may be regarded as illiquid. U.S. Government
securities also include zero coupon bonds.
76
APPENDIX
A
U.S. Government securities have historically involved
little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However,
no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will
provide financial support to U.S. government agencies,
authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is
not obligated to do so by law.
Mortgage-Backed Securities.
The Fund may
invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities
represent direct or indirect participations in, or are
collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by
real property. Mortgage-backed securities can be backed by
either fixed rate mortgage loans or adjustable rate mortgage
loans, and may be issued by either a governmental or
non-governmental entity. Privately issued mortgage-backed
securities are normally structured with one or more types of
credit enhancement. However, these mortgage-backed
securities typically do not have the same credit standing as
U.S. government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
Mortgage-backed securities may include multiple class
securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations
(CMOs) and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
(REMIC) pass-through or participation certificates.
A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment and
invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in
real property and other permitted investments. CMOs provide an
investor with a specified interest in the cash flow from a pool
of underlying mortgages or of other mortgage-backed securities.
CMOs are issued in multiple classes each with a specified fixed
or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution
rate. In many cases, payments of principal are applied to the
CMO classes in the order of their respective stated maturities,
so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until
all other classes having an earlier stated maturity date are
paid in full.
Sometimes, however, CMO classes are parallel pay,
i.e.
, payments of principal are made to two or more
classes concurrently. In some cases, CMOs may have the
characteristics of a stripped mortgage-backed security whose
price can be highly volatile. CMOs may exhibit more or less
price volatility and interest rate risk than other types of
mortgage-related obligations, and under certain interest rate
and payment scenarios, the Fund may fail to recoup fully its
investment in certain of these securities regardless of their
credit quality.
Throughout 2008, the market for mortgage-backed securities began
experiencing substantially, often dramatically, lower valuations
and greatly reduced liquidity. Markets for other asset-backed
securities have also been affected. These instruments are
increasingly subject to liquidity constraints, price volatility,
credit downgrades and unexpected increases in default rates and,
therefore, may be more difficult to value and more difficult to
dispose of than previously. These events may have an adverse
effect on the Fund to the extent it invests in mortgage-backed
or other fixed
77
income securities or instruments affected by the volatility in
the fixed income markets.
Asset-Backed Securities.
The Fund may invest
in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are
securities whose principal and interest payments are
collateralized by pools of assets such as auto loans, credit
card receivables, leases, installment contracts and personal
property. Asset-backed securities are often subject to more
rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate
as a result of the pass-through of prepayments of principal on
the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest
rates, prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities
can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly, the Funds
ability to maintain positions in such securities will be
affected by reductions in the principal amount of such
securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to
reinvest the returns of principal at comparable yields is
subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that time.
Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not
presented by mortgage-backed securities. This is because
asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a
security interest in collateral that is comparable to mortgage
assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on
its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some
cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the
underlying collateral and that the Funds recoveries on
repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments
on the securities. In the event of a default, the Fund may
suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive
the amount it is owed. Asset-backed securities may also be
subject to increased volatility and may become illiquid and more
difficult to value even when there is no default or threat of
default due to market conditions impacting asset-backed
securities more generally.
Non-Investment Grade Fixed Income
Securities.
Non-investment grade fixed income
securities and unrated securities of comparable credit quality
(commonly known as junk bonds) are considered
speculative. In some cases, these obligations may be highly
speculative and have poor prospects for reaching investment
grade standing. Non-investment grade fixed income securities are
subject to the increased risk of an issuers inability to
meet principal and interest obligations. These securities, also
referred to as high yield securities, may be subject to greater
price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate or
municipal developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative
perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less
secondary market liquidity.
Non-investment grade fixed income securities are often issued in
connection with a corporate reorganization or restructuring or
as part of a merger, acquisition, takeover or similar event.
They are also issued by less established companies seeking to
expand. Such issuers are often highly leveraged and generally
less able than more
78
APPENDIX
A
established or less leveraged entities to make scheduled
payments of principal and interest in the event of adverse
developments or business conditions. Non-investment grade
securities are also issued by governmental bodies that may have
difficulty in making all scheduled interest and principal
payments. The market value of non-investment grade fixed income
securities tends to reflect individual corporate or municipal
developments to a greater extent than that of higher rated
securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general
level of interest rates. As a result, the Funds ability to
achieve its investment objective may depend to a greater extent
on the Investment Advisers judgment concerning the
creditworthiness of issuers than funds which invest in
higher-rated securities. Issuers of non-investment grade fixed
income securities may not be able to make use of more
traditional methods of financing and their ability to service
debt obligations may be affected more adversely than issuers of
higher-rated securities by economic downturns, specific
corporate or financial developments or the issuers
inability to meet specific projected business forecasts.
Negative publicity about the junk bond market and investor
perceptions regarding lower rated securities, whether or not
based on fundamental analysis, may depress the prices for such
securities.
A holders risk of loss from default is significantly
greater for non-investment grade fixed income securities than is
the case for holders of other debt securities because such
non-investment grade securities are generally unsecured and are
often subordinated to the rights of other creditors of the
issuers of such securities. Investment by the Fund in defaulted
securities poses additional risk of loss should nonpayment of
principal and interest continue in respect of such securities.
Even if such securities are held to maturity, recovery by the
Fund of its initial investment and any anticipated income or
appreciation is uncertain.
The secondary market for non-investment grade fixed income
securities is concentrated in relatively few market makers and
is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds,
insurance companies and other financial institutions.
Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as
liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for
higher-rated securities. In addition, market trading volume for
high yield fixed income securities is generally lower and the
secondary market for such securities could shrink or disappear
suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse market or
economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes
in the condition of a particular issuer. The lack of sufficient
market liquidity may cause the Fund to incur losses because it
will be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and
then only at a substantial drop in price. These factors may have
an adverse effect on the market price and the Funds
ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less
liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the
Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities
in its portfolio.
79
Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to
evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated
securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk
of non-investment grade securities and, therefore, may not fully
reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit
rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating
to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the
issuer that affect the market value of the security.
Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary
indicator of investment quality.
Borrowings.
The Fund can borrow money from
banks and other financial institutions in amounts not exceeding
one-third of its total assets for temporary or emergency
purposes. The Fund may not make additional investments if
borrowings exceed 5% of its net assets.
Borrowings involve leveraging. If the securities held by the
Fund decline in value while these transactions are outstanding,
the NAV of the Funds outstanding shares will decline in
value by proportionately more than the decline in value of the
securities.
Yield Curve Options.
The Fund may enter into
options on the yield spread or differential between
two securities. Such transactions are referred to as yield
curve options. In contrast to other types of options, a
yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields
of designated securities, rather than the prices of the
individual securities, and is settled through cash payments.
Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if
this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in
the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the
underlying securities increase or decrease.
The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the
risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In
addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield
on an underlying security remains constant, or if the spread
moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
Equity Swaps.
The Fund may invest in equity
swaps. Equity swaps allow the parties to a swap agreement to
exchange the dividend income or other components of return on an
equity investment (for example, a group of equity securities or
an index) for a component of return on another non-equity or
equity investment.
An equity swap may be used by the Fund to invest in a market
without owning or taking physical custody of securities in
circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for
legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or
disadvantageous.
Equity swaps are derivatives and their value can be very
volatile. To the extent that the Investment Adviser does not
accurately analyze and predict the potential relative
80
APPENDIX
A
fluctuation of the components swapped with another party, the
Fund may suffer a loss, which may be substantial. The value of
some components of an equity swap (such as the dividends on a
common stock) may also be sensitive to changes in interest
rates. Furthermore, the Fund may suffer a loss if the
counterparty defaults. Because equity swaps are normally
illiquid, a Fund may be unable to terminate its obligations when
desired. As an investment company registered with the SEC, the
Fund must set aside (often referred to as
asset segregation) liquid assets, or engage in other
SEC- or staff-approved measures to cover open
positions with respect to certain kinds of derivative
instruments. In the case of swaps that do not cash settle, for
example, the Fund must set aside liquid assets equal to the full
notional value of the swaps while the positions are open. With
respect to swaps that do cash settle, however, the Fund is
permitted to set aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the
Funds daily
marked-to-market
net obligations (
i.e.
the Funds daily net
liability) under the swaps, if any, rather than their full
notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset
segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in
the positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its
staff regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal
to only its net obligations under cash settled swaps, the Fund
will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent
than if the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the
full notional amount of the swaps.
Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps,
Currency Swaps, Index Swaps, and Total Return Swaps and Options
on Swaps.
Interest rate swaps involve an exchange
by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments
to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed-rate
payments for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar
to interest rate swaps in that they represent commitments to pay
and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is
tied to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Credit swaps
involve the receipt of floating or fixed rate payments in
exchange for assuming potential credit losses on an underlying
security. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction (the
buyer of the credit swap) the right to dispose of or acquire an
asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive a payment
from the other party, upon the occurrence of specified credit
events. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the parties
respective rights to make or receive payments in specified
currencies. Total return swaps give the Fund the right to
receive the appreciation in the value of a specified security,
index or other instrument in return for a fee paid to the
counterparty, which will typically be an agreed upon interest
rate. If the underlying asset in a total return swap declines in
value over the term of the swap, the Fund may also be required
to pay the dollar value of that decline to the counterparty. The
Fund may also purchase and write (sell) options contracts on
swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. A swaption is an
option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types
81
of options, the buyer of a swaption pays a non-refundable
premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the
obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon
terms. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium,
becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an
underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an
interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a
specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payment of interest on a notional principal amount from
the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an
interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a
specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to
receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from
the party selling the interest rate floor. An interest rate
collar is the combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a
certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates.
The Fund may enter into the transactions described above for
hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. As an
example, when the Fund is the buyer of a credit default swap
(commonly known as buying protection), it may make periodic
payments to the seller of the credit default swap to obtain
protection against a credit default on a specified underlying
asset (or group of assets). If a default occurs, the seller of a
credit default swap may be required to pay the Fund the
notional value of the credit default swap on a
specified security (or group of securities). On the other hand,
when the Fund is a seller of a credit default swap (commonly
known as selling protection), in addition to the credit exposure
the Fund has on the other assets held in its portfolio, the Fund
is also subject to the credit exposure on the notional amount of
the swap since, in the event of a credit default, the Fund may
be required to pay the notional value of the credit
default swap on a specified security (or group of securities) to
the buyer of the credit default swap. The Fund will be the
seller of a credit default swap only when the credit of the
underlying asset is deemed by the Investment Adviser to meet the
Funds minimum credit criteria at the time the swap is
first entered into. When the Fund writes (sells) credit default
swaps that do not cash settle, the Fund must set aside liquid
assets equal to the full notional value of the swaps while the
positions are open.
As an investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund must
set aside (often referred to as asset
segregation) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or
staff-approved measures to cover open positions with
respect to certain kinds of derivative instruments. In the case
of swaps that do not cash settle, for example, the Fund must set
aside liquid assets equal to the full notional value of the
swaps while the positions are open. With respect to swaps that
do cash settle, however, the Fund is permitted to set aside
liquid assets in an amount equal to the Funds daily
marked-to-market
net obligations (
i.e.
the Funds daily net
liability) under the swaps, if any, rather than their full
notional value. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset
segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in
the
82
APPENDIX
A
positions from time to time articulated by the SEC or its staff
regarding asset segregation. By setting aside assets equal to
only its net obligations under cash settled swaps, the Fund will
have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if
the Fund were required to segregate assets equal to the full
notional amount of the swaps.
The use of interest rate, mortgage, credit, currency and total
return swaps, and options on swaps is a highly specialized
activity which involves investment techniques and risks
different from those associated with ordinary portfolio
securities transactions. If the Investment Adviser is incorrect
in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and currency
exchange rates, or in its evaluation of the creditworthiness of
swap counterparties and the issuers of the underlying assets,
the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable
than it would have been if these investment techniques were not
used.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities.
The Fund
may invest in inverse floating rate debt securities
(inverse floaters). The interest rate on inverse
floaters resets in the opposite direction from the market rate
of interest to which an inverse floater is indexed. An inverse
floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its
interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude
of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher the
degree of leverage of an inverse floater, the greater the
volatility of its market value.
83
Appendix B
Financial Highlights
Because the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of
the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights are not
available.
84
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Managed Futures
Strategy Fund
Prospectus
Annual/Semi-annual
Report
Additional information about the Funds investments will be
available in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. In the Funds annual reports, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies
that significantly affected the Funds performance during
the last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund and its policies is also
available in the Funds SAI. The SAI is incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus (is legally considered part of
this Prospectus).
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports (when available)
and SAI are available free upon request by calling Goldman Sachs
at
1-800-526-7384.
You can also access and download the annual and semi-annual
reports and the SAI at the Funds website:
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com.
From time to time, certain announcements and other information
regarding the Fund may be found at
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/individuals
for individual investors,
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/institutions
for institutional investors or
http://www.gs.com/gsam/redirect/announcements/advisors
for advisers.
To obtain other information and for shareholder inquiries:
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Institutional
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Class A, C, IR & R
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By
telephone:
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1-800-621-2550
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1-800-526-7384
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By
mail:
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Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 06050
Chicago, Illinois
60606-6306
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Goldman Sachs Funds
P.O. Box 219711
Kansas City, MO 64121
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n
On
the Internet:
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SEC EDGAR database http://www.sec.gov
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You may review and obtain copies of Fund documents (including
the SAI) by visiting the SECs public reference room in
Washington, D.C. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents,
after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SECs
Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520 or by
electronic request to: publicinfo@sec.gov. Information on the
operation of the public reference room may be obtained by
calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
The Funds investment company
registration number is 811-05349.
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman,
Sachs & Co.
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MDGFUTPRO12
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PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED FEBRUARY 29, 2012
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FUND
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CLASS A SHARES
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CLASS C SHARES
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CLASS R SHARES
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CLASS IR SHARES
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INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
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GOLDMAN SACHS MANAGED FUTURES
STRATEGY FUND
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GMSAX
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GMSCX
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GFFRX
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GFIRX
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GMSSX
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(Select Satellite Fund of Goldman Sachs Trust)
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI) is not a Prospectus. This SAI should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund, dated
February 29, 2012, as it may be further amended and/or supplemented from time to time (the
Prospectus), which may be obtained without charge from Goldman, Sachs & Co. by calling the
telephone numbers, or writing to one of the addresses, listed below or from institutions
(Authorized Institutions) acting on behalf of their customers.
The Funds Annual Report may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling Goldman,
Sachs & Co. toll-free at 1-800-526-7384 (for Class A, Class C, Class R and Class IR Shareholders)
or 1-800-621-2550 (for Institutional Shareholders).
GSAM
®
is a registered service mark of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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B-1
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B-1
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B-2
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B-34
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B-35
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B-47
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B-52
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B-60
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B-61
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B-63
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B-66
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B-69
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B-69
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B-70
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B-71
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B-74
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B-74
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1-A
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1-B
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1-C
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The
date of this SAI is February 29, 2012.
i
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GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
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Investment Adviser
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Distributor
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200 West Street
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200 West Street
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New York, New York 10282
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New York, New York 10282
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GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
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Transfer Agent
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71 South Wacker Drive
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Chicago, Illinois 60606
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Toll-free (in U.S.) 800-621-2550 (for Institutional Shareholders) or 800-526-7384 (for Class A,
Class C, Class R and Class IR Shareholders)
ii
INTRODUCTION
Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust) is an open-end, management investment company. The Trust is
organized as a Delaware statutory trust and was established by a Declaration of Trust dated January
28, 1997. The following series of the Trust is described in this SAI: Goldman Sachs Managed
Futures Strategy Fund (the Fund).
The Trustees of the Trust have authority under the Declaration of Trust to create and classify
shares into separate series and to classify and reclassify any series or portfolio of shares into
one or more classes without further action by shareholders. Pursuant thereto, the Trustees have
created the Fund and other series. Additional series may be added in the future from time to time.
The Fund currently offers five classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class R Shares,
Class IR Shares and Institutional Shares. See SHARES OF THE TRUST.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM or the Investment Adviser), an affiliate of
Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Goldman Sachs), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. In addition,
Goldman Sachs serves as the Funds distributor and transfer agent. The Funds custodian is
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorganChase).
The following information relates to and supplements the description of the Funds investment
policies contained in the Prospectus. See the Prospectus for a more complete description of the
Funds investment objectives and policies. Investing in the Fund entails certain risks and there
is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective. Capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the same meaning as in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Fund has a distinct investment objective and policies. There can be no assurance that the
Funds objective will be achieved. The Fund is a non-diversified, open-end management company as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act). The investment objective and
policies of the Fund, and the associated risks of the Fund, are discussed in the Funds Prospectus,
which should be read carefully before an investment is made. All investment objectives and
investment policies not specifically designated as fundamental may be changed without shareholder
approval. Additional information about the Fund, its policies, and the investment instruments it
may hold, is provided below.
The Funds share price will fluctuate with market, economic and, to the extent applicable,
foreign exchange conditions, so that an investment in the Fund may be worth more or less when
redeemed than when purchased. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program.
The following discussion supplements the information in the Funds Prospectus.
General Information Regarding The Fund
The Funds investment objective is to generate long-term absolute return. The Fund implements
a trend-following strategy that takes long and/or short positions in a wide range of asset classes,
including equities, fixed income, and currencies, among others, to seek long-term absolute return.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in a portfolio of equities, equity index futures, bonds, bond
futures, equity swaps, interest rate swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, options,
ETFs, and structured securities. As a result of the Funds use of
derivatives, the Fund may also hold significant amounts of U.S. Treasuries or short-term
investments, including money market funds, repurchase agreements, cash and time deposits. The
Funds investments will be made without restriction as to issuer capitalization, country, currency,
maturity, or credit rating.
The Investment Adviser seeks to identify price trends in various asset classes over short-,
medium-, and long-term horizons via a proprietary investment model. Upon identifying a trend in a
given instrument or asset, the Fund will take a long or short position in the instrument or asset.
Long positions benefit from an increase in price of the underlying instrument or asset, while short
positions benefit from a decrease in price of the underlying instrument or asset. The size of the
Funds position in an instrument or asset will primarily be related to the strength of the overall
trend identified by the investment model.
The Fund may implement short positions and may do so by using swaps or futures, or through short sales of any instrument
that the Fund may purchase for investment. For example, the Fund may enter into a futures contract pursuant to which it agrees
to sell an asset (that it does not currently own) at a specified price at a specified point in the future.
This gives the Fund a short position with respect to that asset.
The Fund may use leverage (e.g., by borrowing or through derivatives). As a result, the sum of
the Funds investment exposures may at times exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund,
although these exposures may vary over time.
B-1
The Fund may take long and/or short
positions in commodities by investing in other investment companies,
ETFs or other pooled investment vehicles. Although it does not currently intend to do so,
the Fund may also invest through a wholly-owned subsidiary, which would be advised by the Investment Adviser and would have
the same investment objective as the Fund, or in commodity-linked notes. Such investments would be made only to the extent
permissible under applicable law then in effect, or in reliance upon
a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), or other applicable
guidance or relief provided by the IRS or other agencies.
The Investment Adviser uses
derivatives, including futures, swaps, and forwards, among others, to implement long and short positions.
In
considering whether to maintain an existing position, the Investment
Adviser will take into account a number of factors including, without
limitation, the Investment Advisers views on future performance of
the position and the Funds liquidity and/or risk diversification
profile.
The Fund may, from time to time,
take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, political or other conditions. For temporary
defensive purposes, the Fund may invest a certain percentage of its total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (U.S. Government Securities), commercial paper
rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poors Ratings Services (Standard & Poors), P-2 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
(Moodys) or having a comparable rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) (or if
unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality), certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances,
repurchase agreements, non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate bonds with a remaining maturity of less
than one year, certain ETFs and other investment companies and cash
items.
When the Funds assets are invested in such
instruments, the Fund may not be achieving its investment
objective.
THE
FUND IS NON-DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE ACT AND MAY INVEST MORE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN DIVERSIFIED
MUTUAL FUNDS.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES AND PRACTICES
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and may also purchase and write call and put
options on futures contracts. The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts based on various
securities, securities indices, foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices.
The Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions in order to seek to increase total
return or to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or, to the extent the Fund
invests in foreign securities, currency exchange rates, or to otherwise manage its term structure,
sector selection and duration in accordance with its investment objective and policies. The Fund
may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts and
options. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the
term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange
Act (CEA) and, therefore, is not subject to
registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with
respect to the Fund. However, the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (CFTC) has recently adopted amendments to CFTC Rules, which, when effective, may subject the
Fund to regulation by the CFTC, and the Fund may have to operate subject to applicable CFTC requirements, including
registration, disclosure and operational requirements governing
commodity pools under the CEA. Certain of the rules that
would apply to the Fund if it becomes subject to CFTC regulation as a commodity pool have not yet been adopted, and it is
unclear what the effect of those rules would be on the Fund if they are adopted.
Futures contracts entered into by the Fund have historically been traded on U.S. exchanges or
boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC or with respect to certain funds on foreign exchanges. More recently, certain futures may
also be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as derivatives transaction
execution facilities, exempt boards of trade or electronic trading facilities that are licensed
and/or regulated to varying degrees by the CFTC. Also, certain single stock futures and narrow
based security index futures may be traded either over-the-counter or on trading facilities such as
contract markets, derivatives transaction execution facilities and electronic trading facilities
that are licensed and/or regulated to varying degrees by both the CFTC and the SEC or on foreign
exchanges.
Neither the CFTC, National Futures Association, SEC nor any domestic exchange regulates
activities of any foreign exchange or boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and
clearing of transactions, or has the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign exchange
or board of trade or any applicable foreign law. This is true even if the exchange is formally
linked to a domestic market so that a position taken on the market may be liquidated by a
transaction on another market. Moreover, such laws or regulations will vary depending on the
foreign country in which the foreign futures or foreign options transaction occurs. For these
reasons, the Funds investments in foreign futures or foreign options transactions may not be
provided the same protections in respect of transactions on United States exchanges. In particular,
persons who trade foreign futures or foreign options contracts may not be afforded certain of the
protective measures provided by the Commodity Exchange Act, the CFTCs regulations and the rules of
the National Futures Association and any domestic exchange, including the right to use reparations
proceedings before the CFTC and arbitration proceedings provided by the National Futures
Association or any domestic futures exchange. Similarly, those persons may not have the protection
of the United States securities laws.
Futures Contracts.
A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two
parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments for an agreed price during a designated
month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an
index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the Fund can seek through the
sale of futures contracts to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities.
When interest rates are falling or securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of
futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in
the market when it effects anticipated purchases. Similarly, the Fund can purchase and sell
futures contracts on a specified currency in order to seek to increase total return or to protect
against changes in currency exchange rates. For example, the Fund can purchase futures contracts
on foreign currency to establish the price in U.S. dollars of a security quoted or denominated in
such currency that the Fund has acquired or expects to acquire. As another example, the Fund may
enter into futures transactions to seek a closer correlation between the Funds overall currency
exposures and the currency exposures of the Funds performance benchmark.
Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but are instead
liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While the Fund
will usually liquidate futures contracts on securities or currency in this manner,
B-2
the Fund may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever
it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing corporation associated with
the exchange on which futures are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will
be performed on the settlement date.
Hedging Strategies Using Futures Contracts.
Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to
establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price, rate of return
or currency exchange rate on portfolio securities or securities that the Fund owns or proposes to
acquire. The Fund may, for example, take a short position in the futures market by selling
futures contracts to seek to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest rates or a decline in
market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of the Funds
portfolio securities. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures contracts on a currency in which its
portfolio securities are quoted or denominated, or sell futures contracts on one currency to seek
to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different
currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies.
If, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between
price trends for the Funds portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial
instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures
contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities
in the Funds portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the
Investment Adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on
historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the Fund enter into a
greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge
against price changes affecting the Funds portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is
successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by
appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated
appreciation in the value of the Funds portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a
decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the Fund may take a long position by purchasing such futures contracts.
This may be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular
securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then
available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices or rates that are currently
available.
Options on Futures Contracts.
The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts
will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to
purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As
the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the futures
position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an
unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially
offset a decline in the value of the Funds assets. By writing a call option, the Fund becomes
obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised,
which may have a value higher than the exercise price. The writing of a put option on a futures
contract generates a premium, which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities
that the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund becomes obligated (upon the exercise of the
option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower
than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred by the Fund in writing options on futures is
potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received. The Fund will incur
transaction costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling
or purchasing an offsetting option on the same financial instrument. There is no guarantee that
such closing transactions can be effected. The Funds ability to establish and close out positions
on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations.
The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related
options transactions only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) for maintaining its qualification as a
regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Transactions in futures contracts
and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in certain cases,
require the Fund to segregate cash or liquid assets. The Fund may cover its transactions in
futures contracts and related options through the segregation of cash or liquid assets or by other
means, in any manner permitted by applicable law.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, such
transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, unanticipated changes in interest rates,
securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the
Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions. When futures
contracts and options are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between the Funds futures
positions and portfolio positions may be impossible to achieve, particularly where futures
contracts based on individual equity or corporate fixed income securities are
B-3
currently not available. In the event of imperfect correlation between a futures position and
a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained
and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.
In addition, it is not possible for the Fund to hedge
fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities quoted or
denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a
result of independent factors unrelated to currency fluctuations. The profitability of the Funds
trading in futures depends upon the ability of the Investment Adviser to analyze correctly the
futures markets.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
Writing Covered Options.
The Fund may write (sell) covered call and put options on any
securities in which it may invest. The Fund may also, to the extent it invests in foreign
securities, write (sell) put and call options on foreign currencies. A call option written by the
Fund obligates the Fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at a specified
price if the option is exercised on or before the expiration date. Depending upon the type of call
option, the purchaser of the call option either (i) has the right to any appreciation in the value
of the security over a fixed price (the exercise price) on a certain date in the future (the
expiration date) or (ii) has the right to any appreciation in the value of the security over the
exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. If the purchaser does not
exercise the option, the Fund pays the purchaser the difference between the price of the security
and the exercise price of the option. The premium, the exercise price and the market value of the
security determine the gain or loss realized by the Fund as the seller of the call option. The
Fund can also repurchase the call option prior to the expiration date, ending its obligation. In
this case, the cost of entering into closing purchase transactions will determine the gain or loss
realized by the Fund. All call options written by the Fund are covered, which means that the Fund
will own the securities subject to the option as long as the option is outstanding or the Fund will
use the other methods described below. The Funds purpose in writing covered call options is to
realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However,
the Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the
underlying security.
A put option written by the Fund would obligate the Fund to purchase specified securities from
the option holder at a specified price if, depending upon the type of put option, either (i) the
option is exercised at any time on or before the expiration date or (ii) the option is exercised on
the expiration date. All put options written by the Fund would be covered, which means that the
Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the
put option (less any margin on deposit) or will use the other methods described below. The purpose
of writing such options is to generate additional income for the Fund. However, in return for the
option premium, 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.
In the case of a call option, the option is covered if the Fund owns the instrument
underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that instrument without
additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in
such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other instruments held by it. A call
option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same instrument as the option written where
the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the option
written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the option written provided the Fund segregates
liquid assets in the amount of the difference. The Fund may also cover options on securities by
segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any
margin on deposit, that is equal to the market value of the securities in the case of a call
option. A put option is also covered if the Fund holds a put on the same instrument as the option
written where the exercise price of the option held is (i) equal to or higher than the exercise
price of the option written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the option written provided
the Fund segregates liquid assets in the amount of the difference.
The Fund may also write (sell) covered call and put options on any securities index comprised
of securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to options on
securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash payments and does
not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are
designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
The Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes
are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index, or by having an absolute and immediate
right to acquire such securities without additional cash consideration (or for additional
consideration which has been segregated by the Fund) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities in its portfolio. The Fund may also cover call and put options on a securities index by
segregating cash or liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, with a value, when added to any
margin on deposit, that is equal to the market value of the underlying securities in the case of a
call option or the exercise price in the case of a put option, or by owning offsetting options as
described above.
B-4
The Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by
purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter
options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to
such option. Such purchases are referred to as closing purchase transactions.
Purchasing Options.
The Fund may purchase covered put and call options on any securities in
which it may invest or any securities index comprised of securities in which it may
invest. The Fund may also, to the extent that it invests in foreign securities, purchase put and
call options on foreign currencies. The Fund may also enter into closing sale transactions in
order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it had purchased.
The Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of
securities of the type in which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the
Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during
the option period. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if,
during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the
premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on
the purchase of the call option.
The Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the market value of
securities in its portfolio (protective puts) or in securities in which it may invest. The
purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell
specified securities at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective
puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the Funds securities.
Put options may also be purchased by the Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a
decline in the price of securities which it does not own. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain
if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise
price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would
realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the
purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value
of the underlying portfolio securities.
The Fund would purchase put and call options on securities indices for the same purposes as it
would purchase options on individual securities. For a description of options on securities
indices, see Writing Covered Options above.
Yield Curve Options.
The Fund may enter into options on the yield spread or differential
between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as yield curve options. In contrast
to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of
designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through
cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential
widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields
of the underlying securities increase or decrease.
The Fund may purchase or write yield curve options for the same purposes as other options on
securities. For example, the Fund may purchase a call option on the yield spread between two
securities if they own one of the securities and anticipate purchasing the other security and want
to hedge against an adverse change in the yield spread between the two securities. The Fund may
also purchase or write yield curve options in an effort to increase current income if, in the
judgment of the Investment Adviser, the Fund will be able to profit from movements in the spread
between the yields of the underlying securities. The trading of yield curve options is subject to
all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, however, such
options present risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remains
constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.
Yield curve options written by the Fund will be covered. A call (or put) option is covered
if the Fund holds another call (or put) option on the spread between the same two securities and
segregates cash or liquid assets sufficient to cover the Funds net liability under the two
options. Therefore, the Funds liability for such a covered option is generally limited to the
difference between the amount of the Funds liability under the option written by the Fund less the
value of the option held by the Fund. Yield curve options may also be covered in such other manner
as may be in accordance with the requirements of the counterparty with which the option is traded
and applicable laws and regulations. Yield curve options are traded over-the-counter and
established trading markets for these options may not exist.
Risks Associated with Options Transactions.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any
particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to
covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or
dispose of segregated assets until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the Fund is
unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it
B-5
has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will
incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following:
(i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed
by an exchange on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or
other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv)
unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the
facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons,
decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular
class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class
or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had
been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
There can be no assurance that higher trading activity, order flow or other unforeseen events
might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation or
various exchanges inadequate. Such events have, in the past, resulted in the institution by an
exchange of special procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of order
or trading halts or suspensions with respect to one or more options. These special procedures may
limit liquidity.
The Fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and
options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who make markets in these options. The ability
to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may
involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their
obligations.
Transactions by the Fund in options on securities and indices will be subject to limitations
established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such
options are traded governing the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or
purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert regardless of whether the
options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facility or are held in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the
number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or
purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Investment Adviser. An exchange, board of
trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of
these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
transactions. The use of options to seek to increase total return involves the risk of loss if the
Investment Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of fluctuations in securities prices or interest
rates. The successful use of options for hedging purposes also depends in part on the ability of
the Investment Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of
correlation between the options and securities (or currency) markets. If the Investment Adviser is
incorrect in its expectation of changes in securities prices or determination of the correlation
between the securities or securities indices on which options are written and purchased and the
securities in the Funds investment portfolio, the Fund may incur losses that it would not
otherwise incur. The writing of options could increase the Funds portfolio turnover rate and,
therefore, associated brokerage commissions or spreads.
Preferred Stock, Warrants and Stock Purchase Rights
The
Fund may invest in preferred stock and in warrants and stock purchase
rights (rights) (in addition to those
acquired in units or attached to other securities). Preferred stocks are securities that represent
an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuers earnings and assets before
common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of
preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated
by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default (such as a covenant
default or filing of a bankruptcy petition) or other non-compliance by the issuer with the terms of
the preferred stock. Often, however, on the occurrence of any such event of default or
non-compliance by the issuer, preferred stockholders will be entitled to gain representation on the
issuers board of directors or increase their existing board representation. In addition, preferred
stockholders may be granted voting rights with respect to certain issues on the occurrence of any
event of default.
Warrants and other rights are options that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a
specific price for a specific period of time. The Fund will invest in warrants and rights only if
such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser for
B-6
investment by the Fund. Warrants and rights have no voting rights, receive no dividends and
have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer.
Index Swaps, Interest Rate Swaps, Mortgage Swaps, Credit Swaps, Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps and Options on Swaps
The Fund may enter into
i
ndex, interest rate, mortgage, credit, currency and total return
swaps for both hedging purposes and to seek to increase total return. The Fund may also purchase
and write (sell) options on swaps, commonly referred to as swaptions. Swap agreements are two
party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors. In a standard swap
transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned
or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an
interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are generally
calculated with respect to a notional amount,
i.e.
, the return on or increase in value of a
particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency
or security, or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. Currency swaps involve
an exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective rights to make or receive payments
in specified currencies. Interest rate swaps involve an exchange by the Fund with another party of
their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed rate payments
for floating rate payments. Mortgage swaps are similar to interest rate swaps in that they
represent commitments to pay and receive interest. The notional principal amount, however, is tied
to a reference pool or pools of mortgages. Index swaps involve an exchange by the Fund with
another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional principal amount at
interest rates equal to two specified indices. Credit swaps involve the receipt of floating or
fixed rate payments in exchange for assuming potential credit losses of an underlying security, or
pool of securities. Credit swaps give one party to a transaction the right to dispose of or
acquire an asset (or group of assets), or the right to receive from or make a payment to the other
party, upon the occurrence of specified credit events. Total return swaps are contracts that
obligate a party to pay or receive interest in exchange for the payment by the other party of the
total return generated by a security, a basket of securities, an index or an index component. A
swaption is an option to enter into a swap agreement. Like other types of options, the buyer of a
swaption pays a non-refundable premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the
obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The seller of a swaption, in
exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an
underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser,
to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payment of
interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap.
A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swap transactions are structured. However,
generally the Fund will enter into interest rate, total return, credit, mortgage and index swaps
only on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund
receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Interest rate,
total return, credit, index and mortgage swaps do not normally involve the delivery of securities,
other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate,
total return, credit, index and mortgage swaps is normally limited to the net amount of interest
payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate,
total return, credit, index or mortgage swap defaults, the Funds risk of loss consists of the net
amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. In contrast,
currency swaps usually involve the delivery of a gross payment stream in one designated currency in
exchange for the gross payment stream in another designated currency. Therefore, the entire
payment stream under a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will
default on its contractual delivery obligations. A credit swap may have as reference obligations
one or more securities that may, or may not, be currently held by the Fund. The protection buyer
in a credit swap is generally obligated to pay the protection seller an upfront or a periodic
stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a
reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the
buyer the par value (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of
deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be
required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be
either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs,
the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a
credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap
in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value
may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a
rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the
seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total
net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
If a credit event occurs, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the Fund as seller,
coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full
notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. To the extent that
the Funds exposure in a transaction involving a swap, a swaption, or an interest rate floor, cap
or collar is covered by the segregation of cash or liquid assets or is covered by other means in
accordance with SEC guidance or otherwise, the Fund and the Investment Adviser believe that swaps
do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being
subject to the Funds borrowing restrictions.
B-7
The Fund will not enter into transactions involving swaps unless the unsecured commercial
paper, senior debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be
investment grade by the Investment Adviser.
The use of swaps and swaptions is a highly specialized activity which involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
transactions. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset,
reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the
performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. If the Investment Adviser is
incorrect in its forecasts of market values, credit quality, interest rates and currency exchange
rates, the investment performance of the Fund would be less favorable than it would have been if
this investment technique were not used.
In addition, these transactions can involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the
reference obligation directly because, in addition to general market risks, swaps are subject to
illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and pricing risk. Because they are two party
contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap transactions may be
considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be
received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty.
Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Swaps may be subject to pricing or basis
risk, which exists when a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive relative to historical
prices or the price of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions it
may not be economically feasible to imitate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid
a loss or take advantage of an opportunity. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the
relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a
position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and
investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap
documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the
markets for other similar instruments which are traded in the interbank market. The Investment
Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and
monitoring the liquidity of the Funds transactions in swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and collars.
Equity Swaps
The Fund may enter into equity swap contracts to invest in a market without owning or taking
physical custody of securities in various circumstances, including circumstances where direct
investment in the securities is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable. Equity
swaps may also be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return. The counterparty
to an equity swap contract will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.
Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, a counterparty may agree
to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the equity swap contract would
have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks (or an index of stocks), plus
the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. In these cases, the Fund may agree to
pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the equity swap
contract plus the amount, if any, by which that notional amount would have decreased in value had
it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on the equity swap contract
should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest
paid by the Fund on the notional amount. In other cases, the counterparty and the Fund may each
agree to pay the other the difference between the relative investment performances that would have
been achieved if the notional amount of the equity swap contract had been invested in different
stocks (or indices of stocks).
The Fund will generally enter into equity swaps on a net basis, which means that the two
payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net
amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the conclusion of an equity swap contract or
periodically during its term. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or
other underlying assets. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to equity swaps is normally
limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the
other party to an equity swap defaults, the Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of
payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. Inasmuch as these
transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are offset by segregated cash or liquid
assets to cover the Funds exposure, the Fund and its Investment Adviser believe that transactions
do not constitute senior securities under the Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being
subject to the Funds borrowing restrictions.
The Fund will not enter into swap transactions unless the unsecured commercial paper, senior
debt or claims paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by
the Investment Adviser. The Funds ability to enter into certain swap transactions may be limited
by tax considerations.
B-8
Commodity-Linked Investments
The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in
the commodity markets through commodity-linked derivative securities, such as structured
notes, discussed below, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in
physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas,
industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that
have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In
choosing investments, the Investment Adviser seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and
commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative
securities held by the Fund may be affected by a
variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors
affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes,
acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.
The
prices of commodity-linked derivative securities may move in different directions than investments
in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is
declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation,
debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in
prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices
of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course,
there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and
at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of
debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value
during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various
times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not
provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, the
Funds investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over
the long term, the returns on the Funds investments are expected to exhibit low or negative
correlation with stocks and bonds.
Because commodity-linked investments are available from a relatively small number of issuers,
the Funds investments will be particularly subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that
the issuer of the commodity-linked derivative (which issuer may also serve as counterparty to a
substantial number of the Funds commodity-linked and other derivative investments) will not
fulfill its contractual obligations.
Structured Notes
The Fund may invest in structured notes. In one type of structured note in which the Fund
intends to invest, the issuer of the note will be a highly creditworthy party. The terms of such
notes will be in accordance with applicable IRS guidelines. The amount payable at maturity, early
redemption or knockout (as defined below) of the note will depend directly on the performance of
a commodity index. As described more precisely below, the amount payable at maturity will be
computed using a formula under which the issue price paid for the note is adjusted to reflect the
percentage appreciation or depreciation of the index over the term of the note in excess of a
specified interest factor, and an agreed-upon multiple (the leverage factor) of three. The note
will also bear interest at a floating rate that is pegged to LIBOR. The interest rate will be
based generally on the issuers funding spread and prevailing interest rates. The interest may be
payable monthly, quarterly or at maturity. The issuer of the note will be entitled to an annual fee
for issuing the note, which will be payable at maturity, and which may be netted against payments
otherwise due under the note. The amount payable at maturity, early redemption or knockout of each
note will be calculated by starting with an amount equal to the face amount of the note plus any
remaining unpaid interest on the note and minus any accumulated fee amount, and then adding (or
subtracting, in the case of a negative number) the amount equal to the product of (i) the
percentage increase (or decrease) of a commodity index over the applicable period, less a specified
interest percentage, multiplied by (ii) the face amount of the note, and, generally, by (iii) the
leverage factor of three (although the leverage factor may vary, and some notes may have no
leverage factor). The holder of the note will have a right to put the note to the issuer for
redemption at any time before maturity. The note will become automatically payable (
i.e.
, will
knockout) if the relevant index declines by 15%. In the event that the index has declined to the
knockout level (or below) during any day, the redemption price of the note will be based on the
closing index value of the next day. The issuer of the note will receive payment in full of the
purchase price of the note substantially contemporaneously with the delivery of the note. The
Fund, while holding the note, will not be required to make any payment to the issuer of the note in
addition to the purchase price paid for the note, whether as margin, settlement payment, or
otherwise, during the life of the note or at maturity. The issuer of the note will not be subject
by the terms of the instrument to mark-to-market margining requirements of the CEA. The note will not be marketed as a contract of sale of a commodity for
future delivery (or option on such a contract) subject to the CEA.
B-9
With respect to a second type of structured note in which the Fund intends to invest, the
issuer of the note will be a highly creditworthy party. The term of the note will be for six
months. The note will be issued at par value. The amount payable at maturity or early redemption
of the note will depend directly on the performance of a specified basket of 6-month futures
contracts with respect to all of the commodities in a commodity index, with weightings of the
different commodities similar to the weightings in a commodity index. As described more precisely
below, the amount payable at maturity will be computed using a formula under which the issue price
paid for the note is adjusted to reflect the percentage appreciation or depreciation of the value
of the specified basket of commodities futures over the term of the note in excess of a specified
interest factor, and the leverage factor of three, but in no event will the amount payable at
maturity be less than 51% of the issue price of the note. The note will also bear interest at a
floating rate that is pegged to LIBOR. The interest rate will be based generally on the issuers
funding spread and prevailing interest rates. The interest may be payable monthly, quarterly or at
maturity. The issuer of the note will be entitled to a fee for issuing the note, which will be
payable at maturity, and which may be netted against payments otherwise due under the note. The
amount payable at maturity or early redemption of each note will be the greater of (i) 51% of the
issue price of the note and (ii) the amount calculated by starting with an amount equal to the face
amount of the note plus any remaining unpaid interest on the note and minus any accumulated fee
amount, and then adding (or subtracting, in the case of a negative number) the amount equal to the
product of (A) the percentage increase (or decrease) of the specified basket of commodities futures
over the applicable period, less a specified interest percentage, multiplied by (B) the face amount
of the note, and, generally, by (C) the leverage factor of three (although the leverage factor may
vary, and some notes may have no leverage factor). The holder of the note will have a right to put
the note to the issuer for redemption at any time before maturity. The issuer of the note will
receive payment in full of the purchase price of the note substantially contemporaneously with the
delivery of the note. The Fund, while holding the note, will not be required to make any payment
to the issuer of the note in addition to the purchase price paid for the note, whether as margin,
settlement payment, or otherwise, during the life of the note or at maturity. The issuer of the
note will not be subject by the terms of the instrument to mark-to-market margining requirements of
the CEA. The note will not be marketed as a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery
(or option on such a contract) subject to the CEA.
Commercial Paper and Other Short-Term Corporate Obligations
The Fund may invest in commercial paper and other short-term obligations issued or guaranteed
by U.S. corporations, non-U.S. corporations or other entities. Commercial paper represents
short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies,
corporations and finance companies.
U.S. Government Securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government Securities (such as
Treasury bills, notes and bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Others, such as
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises, are supported either by (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury,
(ii) the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the
issuer or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. The U.S. government is under no legal obligation,
in general, to purchase the obligations of its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored
enterprises. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to
U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises in the future.
U.S. Government Securities include (to the extent consistent with the Act) securities for
which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
the U.S. government, or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. U.S. Government
Securities may also include (to the extent consistent with the Act) participations in loans made to
foreign governments or their agencies that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The secondary market for
certain of these participations is extremely limited. In the absence of a suitable secondary
market, such participations are regarded as illiquid.
The Fund may also purchase U.S. Government Securities in private placements and may also
invest in separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by
the U.S. Treasury that are traded independently under the separate trading of registered interest
and principal of securities program (STRIPS). The Fund may also invest in zero coupon U.S.
Treasury Securities and in zero coupon securities issued by financial institutions which represent
a proportionate interest in underlying U.S. Treasury Securities. A zero coupon security pays no
interest to its holder during its life and its value consists of the difference between its face
value at maturity and its cost. The market prices of zero coupon securities generally are more
volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically.
B-10
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities.
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government
securities, called Treasury inflation-protected securities or TIPS, which are fixed income
securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. The
interest rate on TIPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid
on an increasing or decreasing principal value that has been adjusted for inflation. Although
repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market value of TIPS is
not guaranteed, and will fluctuate.
The values of TIPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which
are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If
inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might
decline, leading to an increase in the value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were
to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease
in the value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds TIPS,
the Fund may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. If interest rates rise due to
reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in the currency exchange rates),
investors in TIPS may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the
bonds inflation measure. There can be no assurance that the inflation index for TIPS will
accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
Any increase in principal value of TIPS caused by an increase in the consumer price index is
taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the Fund holding TIPS will not receive cash
representing the increase at that time. As a result, the Fund could be required at times to
liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy
its distribution requirements as a regulated investment company.
If the Fund invests in TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount any
increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable
year. If the Fund purchases such inflation protected securities that are issued in stripped form
either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt
instrument having original issue discount.
Because the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income
(including accrued original issue discount), the Funds investment in either zero coupon bonds or
TIPS may require it to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash income it
actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, the Fund may be
required to borrow or liquidate securities.
Bank Obligations
The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. or foreign banks. Bank
obligations, including without limitation, time deposits, bankers acceptances and certificates of
deposit, may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by
the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation. Banks are subject to extensive
but different governmental regulations which may limit both the amount and types of loans which may
be made and interest rates which may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking
industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing
lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as
exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an
important part in the operation of this industry.
Certificates of deposit are certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to repay funds
deposited with it for a specified period of time at a specified rate. Certificates of deposit are
negotiable instruments and are similar to saving deposits but have a definite maturity and are
evidenced by a certificate instead of a passbook entry. Banks are required to keep reserves
against all certificates of deposit. 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. The Fund may invest in deposits in
U.S. and European banks satisfying the standards set forth above.
Zero Coupon Bonds
The Funds investments in fixed income securities may include zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon
bonds are debt obligations issued or purchased at a discount from face value. The discount
approximates the total amount of interest the bonds would have accrued and compounded over the
period until maturity. Zero coupon bonds do not require the periodic payment of interest. Such
investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service but also
require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such cash.
Such investments may experience greater volatility in market value than debt obligations which
provide for regular payments of interest. In addition, if an issuer of zero coupon bonds held by
the Fund defaults, the Fund may
B-11
obtain no return at all on its investment. The Fund will accrue income on such investments
for each taxable year which (net of deductible expenses, if any) is distributable to shareholders
and which, because no cash is generally received at the time of accrual, may require the
liquidation of other portfolio securities to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the Funds
distribution obligations.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The interest rates payable on certain debt securities in which the Fund may invest are not
fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an
interest rate which is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in the market rate
of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less
effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such
obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between
changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other
reasons.
Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities
The Fund may invest in mortgage loans and mortgage pass-through securities and other
securities representing an interest in or collateralized by adjustable and fixed rate mortgage
loans (Mortgage-Backed Securities).
Mortgage-Backed Securities are subject to both call risk and extension risk. Because of these
risks, these securities can have significantly greater price and yield volatility than traditional
fixed income securities.
General Characteristics of Mortgage Backed Securities
.
In general, each mortgage pool underlying Mortgage-Backed Securities consists of mortgage
loans evidenced by promissory notes secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust or other
similar security instruments creating a first lien on owner occupied and non-owner occupied
one-unit to four-unit residential properties, multi-family (i.e., five-units or more) properties,
agricultural properties, commercial properties and mixed use properties (the Mortgaged
Properties). The Mortgaged Properties may consist of detached individual dwelling units,
multi-family dwelling units, individual condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes,
row houses, individual units in planned unit developments, other attached dwelling units
(Residential Mortgaged Properties) or commercial properties, such as office properties, retail
properties, hospitality properties, industrial properties, healthcare related properties or other
types of income producing real property (Commercial Mortgaged Properties). Residential Mortgaged
Properties may also include residential investment properties and second homes. In addition, the
Mortgage-Backed Securities which are residential mortgage-backed securities may also consist of
mortgage loans evidenced by promissory notes secured entirely or in part by second priority
mortgage liens on Residential Mortgaged Properties.
The investment characteristics of adjustable and fixed rate Mortgage-Backed Securities differ
from those of traditional fixed income securities. The major differences include the payment of
interest and principal on Mortgage-Backed Securities on a more frequent (usually monthly) schedule,
and the possibility that principal may be prepaid at any time due to prepayments on the underlying
mortgage loans or other assets. These differences can result in significantly greater price and
yield volatility than is the case with traditional fixed income securities. As a result, if the
Fund purchases Mortgage-Backed Securities at a premium, a faster than expected prepayment rate will
reduce both the market value and the yield to maturity from those which were anticipated. A
prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect, increasing yield to
maturity and market value. Conversely, if the Fund purchases Mortgage-Backed Securities at a
discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments
will reduce yield to maturity and market value. To the extent that the Fund invests in
Mortgage-Backed Securities, the Investment Adviser may seek to manage these potential risks by
investing in a variety of Mortgage-Backed Securities and by using certain hedging techniques.
Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced by changes in current interest rates
and a variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors (such as changes in mortgagor
housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagor equity in the mortgage properties and
servicing decisions). The timing and level of prepayments cannot be predicted. A predominant factor
affecting the prepayment rate on a pool of mortgage loans is the difference between the interest
rates on outstanding mortgage loans and prevailing mortgage loan interest rates (giving
consideration to the cost of any refinancing). Generally, prepayments on mortgage loans will
increase during a period of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease during a period of rising
mortgage interest rates. Accordingly, the amounts of prepayments available for reinvestment by the
Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining mortgage interest rates. If general
interest rates decline, such prepayments are likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than
the Fund was earning on the mortgage-backed securities that were prepaid. Due to these factors,
mortgage-backed securities may be less effective than U.S. Treasury and other types of debt
securities of similar maturity at maintaining yields during periods of declining interest
B-12
rates. Because the Funds investments in Mortgage-Backed Securities are interest-rate
sensitive, the Funds performance will depend in part upon the ability of the Fund to anticipate
and respond to fluctuations in market interest rates and to utilize appropriate strategies to
maximize returns to the Fund, while attempting to minimize the associated risks to its investment
capital. Prepayments may have a disproportionate effect on certain mortgage-backed securities and
other multiple class pass-through securities, which are discussed below.
The rate of interest paid on mortgage-backed securities is normally lower than the rate of
interest paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to (among other things) the fees
paid to any servicer, special servicer and trustee for the trust fund which holds the mortgage
pool, other costs and expenses of such trust fund, fees paid to any guarantor, such as Ginnie Mae
(as defined below) or to any credit enhancers, mortgage pool insurers, bond insurers and/or hedge
providers, and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may vary from
the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed securities are purchased or traded in
the secondary market at a premium or discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between
the time the issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer (or the
trustee of the trust fund which holds the mortgage pool) makes the payments on the mortgage-backed
securities, and this delay reduces the effective yield to the holder of such securities.
The issuers of certain mortgage-backed obligations may elect to have the pool of mortgage
loans (or indirect interests in mortgage loans) underlying the securities treated as a REMIC, which
is subject to special federal income tax rules. A description of the types of mortgage loans and
mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest is provided below. The descriptions are
general and summary in nature, and do not detail every possible variation of the types of
securities that are permissible investments for the Fund.
Certain General Characteristics of Mortgage Loans
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (ARMs)
. The Fund may invest in ARMs. ARMs generally
provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a specified period of time. Thereafter, the
interest rates (the Mortgage Interest Rates) may be subject to periodic adjustment based on
changes in the applicable index rate (the Index Rate). The adjusted rate would be equal to the
Index Rate plus a fixed percentage spread over the Index Rate established for each ARM at the time
of its origination. ARMs allow the Fund to participate in increases in interest rates through
periodic increases in the securities coupon rates. During periods of declining interest rates,
coupon rates may readjust downward resulting in lower yields to the Fund.
Adjustable interest rates can cause payment increases that some mortgagors may find difficult
to make. However, certain ARMs may provide that the Mortgage Interest Rate may not be adjusted to a
rate above an applicable lifetime maximum rate or below an applicable lifetime minimum rate for
such ARM. Certain ARMs may also be subject to limitations on the maximum amount by which the
Mortgage Interest Rate may adjust for any single adjustment period (the Maximum Adjustment).
Other ARMs (Negatively Amortizing ARMs) may provide instead or as well for limitations on changes
in the monthly payment on such ARMs. Limitations on monthly payments can result in monthly payments
which are greater or less than the amount necessary to amortize a Negatively Amortizing ARM by its
maturity at the Mortgage Interest Rate in effect in any particular month. In the event that a
monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on a Negatively Amortizing ARM, any
such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the loan, causing negative amortization,
and will be repaid through future monthly payments. It may take borrowers under Negatively
Amortizing ARMs longer periods of time to build up equity and may increase the likelihood of
default by such borrowers. In the event that a monthly payment exceeds the sum of the interest
accrued at the applicable Mortgage Interest Rate and the principal payment which would have been
necessary to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the
excess (or accelerated amortization) further reduces the principal balance of the ARM. Negatively
Amortizing ARMs do not provide for the extension of their original maturity to accommodate changes
in their Mortgage Interest Rate. As a result, unless there is a periodic recalculation of the
payment amount (which there generally is), the final payment may be substantially larger than the
other payments. After the expiration of the initial fixed rate period and upon the periodic
recalculation of the payment to cause timely amortization of the related mortgage loan, the monthly
payment on such mortgage loan may increase substantially which may, in turn, increase the risk of
the borrower defaulting in respect of such mortgage loan. These limitations on periodic increases
in interest rates and on changes in monthly payments protect borrowers from unlimited interest rate
and payment increases, but may result in increased credit exposure and prepayment risks for
lenders. When interest due on a mortgage loan is added to the principal balance of such mortgage
loan, the related mortgaged property provides proportionately less security for the repayment of
such mortgage loan. Therefore, if the related borrower defaults on such mortgage loan, there is a
greater likelihood that a loss will be incurred upon any liquidation of the mortgaged property
which secures such mortgage loan.
ARMs also have the risk of prepayment. The rate of principal prepayments with respect to ARMs
has fluctuated in recent years. The value of Mortgage-Backed Securities collateralized by ARMs is
less likely to rise during periods of declining interest rates than the value of fixed-rate
securities during such periods. Accordingly, ARMs may be subject to a greater rate of principal
repayments in a
B-13
declining interest rate environment resulting in lower yields to the Fund. For example, if
prevailing interest rates fall significantly, ARMs could be subject to higher prepayment rates
(than if prevailing interest rates remain constant or increase) because the availability of low
fixed-rate mortgages may encourage mortgagors to refinance their ARMs to lock-in a fixed-rate
mortgage. On the other hand, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of ARMs will lag
behind changes in the market rate. ARMs are also typically subject to maximum increases and
decreases in the interest rate adjustment which can be made on any one adjustment date, in any one
year, or during the life of the security. In the event of dramatic increases or decreases in
prevailing market interest rates, the value of the Funds investment in ARMs may fluctuate more
substantially because these limits may prevent the security from fully adjusting its interest rate
to the prevailing market rates. As with fixed-rate mortgages, ARM prepayment rates vary in both
stable and changing interest rate environments.
There are two main categories of indices which provide the basis for rate adjustments on ARMs:
those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost
of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Indices commonly used for this purpose
include the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury rates, the three-month
Treasury bill rate, the 180-day Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the
11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds, the National Median Cost of Funds, the
one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate, the prime rate of a
specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity
Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th
District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate
levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile. The degree of volatility in the market value of ARMs
in the Funds portfolio and, therefore, in the net asset value of the Funds shares, will be a
function of the length of the interest rate reset periods and the degree of volatility in the
applicable indices.
Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans
. Generally, fixed-rate mortgage loans included in mortgage
pools (the Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans) will bear simple interest at fixed annual rates and have
original terms to maturity ranging from 5 to 40 years. Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans generally provide
for monthly payments of principal and interest in substantially equal installments for the term of
the mortgage note in sufficient amounts to fully amortize principal by maturity, although certain
Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans provide for a large final balloon payment upon maturity.
Certain Legal Considerations of Mortgage Loans
. The following is a discussion of
certain legal and regulatory aspects of the mortgage loans in which the Fund may invest. This
discussion is not exhaustive, and does not address all of the legal or regulatory aspects affecting
mortgage loans. These regulations may impair the ability of a mortgage lender to enforce its rights
under the mortgage documents. These regulations may also adversely affect the Funds investments in
Mortgage-Backed Securities (including those issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities) by delaying the Funds receipt of payments derived from principal or
interest on mortgage loans affected by such regulations.
1.
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Foreclosure
. A foreclosure of a defaulted mortgage loan may be delayed due to
compliance with statutory notice or service of process provisions, difficulties in locating
necessary parties or legal challenges to the mortgagees right to foreclose. Depending upon
market conditions, the ultimate proceeds of the sale of foreclosed property may not equal the
amounts owed on the Mortgage-Backed Securities. Furthermore, courts in some cases have imposed
general equitable principles upon foreclosure generally designed to relieve the borrower from
the legal effect of default and have required lenders to undertake affirmative and expensive
actions to determine the causes for the default and the likelihood of loan reinstatement.
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2.
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Rights of Redemption
. In some states, after foreclosure of a mortgage loan, the
borrower and foreclosed junior lienors are given a statutory period in which to redeem the
property, which right may diminish the mortgagees ability to sell the property.
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3.
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Legislative Limitations
. In addition to anti-deficiency and related legislation,
numerous other federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal bankruptcy laws
and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with or affect the ability of a
secured mortgage lender to enforce its security interest. For example, a bankruptcy court may
grant the debtor a reasonable time to cure a default on a mortgage loan, including a payment
default. The court in certain instances may also reduce the monthly payments due under such
mortgage loan, change the rate of interest, reduce the principal balance of the loan to the
then-current appraised value of the related mortgaged property, alter the mortgage loan
repayment schedule and grant priority of certain liens over the lien of the mortgage loan. If
a court relieves a borrowers obligation to repay amounts otherwise due on a mortgage loan,
the mortgage loan servicer will not be required to advance such amounts, and any loss may be
borne by the holders of securities backed by such loans. In addition, numerous federal and
state consumer protection laws impose penalties for failure to comply with specific
requirements in connection with origination and servicing of mortgage loans.
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4.
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Due-on-Sale Provisions
. Fixed-rate mortgage loans may contain a so-called
due-on-sale clause permitting acceleration of the maturity of the mortgage loan if the
borrower transfers the property. The Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 sets
forth nine specific instances in which no mortgage lender covered by that Act may exercise a
due-on-sale clause upon a transfer of property. The inability to enforce a due-on-sale
clause or the lack of such a clause in mortgage loan documents may result in a mortgage loan
being assumed by a purchaser of the property that bears an interest rate below the current
market rate.
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5.
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Usury Laws
. Some states prohibit charging interest on mortgage loans in excess of
statutory limits. If such limits are exceeded, substantial penalties may be incurred and, in
some cases, enforceability of the obligation to pay principal and interest may be affected.
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6.
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Recent Governmental Action, Legislation and Regulation
. The rise in the rate of
foreclosures of properties in certain states or localities has resulted in legislative,
regulatory and enforcement action in such states or localities seeking to prevent or restrict
foreclosures, particularly in respect of residential mortgage loans. Actions have also been
brought against issuers and underwriters of residential mortgage-backed securities
collateralized by such residential mortgage loans and investors in such residential
mortgage-backed securities. Legislative or regulatory initiatives by federal, state or local
legislative bodies or administrative agencies, if enacted or adopted, could delay foreclosure
or the exercise of other remedies, provide new defenses to foreclosure, or otherwise impair
the ability of the loan servicer to foreclose or realize on a defaulted residential mortgage
loan included in a pool of residential mortgage loans backing such residential mortgage-backed
securities. While the nature or extent of limitations on foreclosure or exercise of other
remedies that may be enacted cannot be predicted, any such governmental actions that interfere
with the foreclosure process could increase the costs of such foreclosures or exercise of
other remedies in respect of residential mortgage loans which collateralize Mortgage-Backed
Securities held by the Fund, delay the timing or reduce the amount of recoveries on defaulted
residential mortgage loans which collateralize Mortgage-Backed Securities held by the Fund,
and consequently, could adversely impact the yields and distributions the Fund may receive in
respect of its ownership of Mortgage-Backed Securities collateralized by residential mortgage
loans. For example, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009
authorizes
bankruptcy
courts to assist bankrupt borrowers by restructuring residential mortgage loans secured by a
lien on the borrowers primary residence. Bankruptcy judges are permitted to reduce the
interest rate of the bankrupt borrowers residential mortgage loan, extend its term to
maturity to up to 40 years or take other actions to reduce the borrowers monthly payment. As
a result, the value of, and the cash flows in respect of, the Mortgage-Backed Securities
collateralized by these residential mortgage loans may be adversely impacted, and, as a
consequence, the Funds investment in such Mortgage-Backed Securities could be adversely
impacted. Other federal legislation, including the Home Affordability Modification Program
(
HAMP
), encourages servicers to modify residential mortgage loans that are either
already in default or are at risk of imminent default. Furthermore, HAMP provides incentives
for servicers to modify residential mortgage loans that are contractually current. This
program, as well other legislation and/or governmental intervention designed to protect
consumers, may have an adverse impact on servicers of residential mortgage loans by increasing
costs and expenses of these servicers while at the same time decreasing servicing cash flows.
Such increased financial pressures may have a negative effect on the ability of servicers to
pursue collection on residential mortgage loans that are experiencing increased delinquencies
and defaults and to maximize recoveries on the sale of underlying residential mortgaged
properties following foreclosure. Other legislative or regulatory actions include insulation
of servicers from liability for modification of residential mortgage loans without regard to
the terms of the applicable servicing agreements. The foregoing legislation and current and
future governmental regulation activities may have the effect of reducing returns to the Fund
to the extent it has invested in Mortgage-Backed Securities collateralized by these
residential mortgage loans.
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Government Guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities
. There are several types of
government guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities currently available, including guaranteed mortgage
pass-through certificates and multiple class securities, which include guaranteed Real Estate
Mortgage Investment Conduit Certificates (REMIC Certificates) and other collateralized mortgage
obligations. The Fund is permitted to invest in other types of Mortgage-Backed Securities that may
be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.
The Funds investments in Mortgage-Backed Securities may include securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises, such as the Government National Mortgage
Association (Ginnie Mae), the Federal
National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie
Mac). Ginnie Mae securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, which
means that the U.S. Government guarantees that the interest and principal will be paid when due.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and as a
result, they are generally viewed by the market as high quality securities with low credit risks.
From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or
eliminating federal sponsorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that issue guaranteed Mortgage-Backed
Securities. The Trust cannot predict what legislation, if any, may be proposed in the future in
Congress as regards such sponsorship or which proposals, if any, might be enacted. Such proposals,
if enacted, might materially and adversely affect the availability of government guaranteed
Mortgage-Backed Securities and the liquidity and value of the Funds portfolio.
There is risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to its agencies,
authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. The Fund may purchase U.S. Government
Securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, such as those
issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S.
Government Securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed such issuers current resources,
including such issuers legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these
issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.
Below is a general discussion of certain types of guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities in
which the Fund may invest.
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Ginnie Mae Certificates
. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate
instrumentality of the United States. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee the timely
payment of the principal of and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a
pool of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), or guaranteed
by the Veterans Administration (VA), or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. In
order to meet its obligations under any guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from
the United States Treasury in an unlimited amount. The National Housing Act
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B-16
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provides that the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government is pledged to the timely
payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae of amounts due on Ginnie Mae certificates.
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Fannie Mae Certificates
. Fannie Mae is a stockholder-owned corporation
chartered under an act of the United States Congress. Generally, Fannie Mae Certificates are
issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae and represent an undivided interest in a pool of
mortgage loans (a Pool) formed by Fannie Mae. A Pool consists of residential mortgage
loans either previously owned by Fannie Mae or purchased by it in connection with the
formation of the Pool. The mortgage loans may be either conventional mortgage loans (i.e.,
not insured or guaranteed by any U.S. Government agency) or mortgage loans that are either
insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the VA. However, the mortgage loans in Fannie Mae Pools
are primarily conventional mortgage loans. The lenders originating and servicing the
mortgage loans are subject to certain eligibility requirements established by Fannie Mae.
Fannie Mae has certain contractual responsibilities. With respect to each Pool, Fannie Mae
is obligated to distribute scheduled installments of principal and interest after Fannie
Maes servicing and guaranty fee, whether or not received, to Certificate holders. Fannie
Mae also is obligated to distribute to holders of Certificates an amount equal to the full
principal balance of any foreclosed mortgage loan, whether or not such principal balance is
actually recovered. The obligations of Fannie Mae under its guaranty of the Fannie Mae
Certificates are obligations solely of Fannie Mae. See Certain Additional Information with
Respect to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae below.
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Freddie Mac Certificates
. Freddie Mac is a publicly held U.S. Government
sponsored enterprise. A principal activity of Freddie Mac currently is the purchase of first
lien, conventional, residential and multifamily mortgage loans and participation interests
in such mortgage loans and their resale in the form of mortgage securities, primarily
Freddie Mac Certificates. A Freddie Mac Certificate represents a pro rata interest in a
group of mortgage loans or participations in mortgage loans (a Freddie Mac Certificate
group) purchased by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac guarantees to each registered holder of a
Freddie Mac Certificate the timely payment of interest at the rate provided for by such
Freddie Mac Certificate (whether or not received on the underlying loans). Freddie Mac also
guarantees to each registered Certificate holder ultimate collection of all principal of the
related mortgage loans, without any offset or deduction, but does not, generally, guarantee
the timely payment of scheduled principal. The obligations of Freddie Mac under its guaranty
of Freddie Mac Certificates are obligations solely of Freddie Mac. See Certain Additional
Information with Respect to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae below.
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The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of
adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of up to forty years.
These mortgage loans are usually secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential
properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set
forth in the law creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include
whole loans, participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and
participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.
Conventional Mortgage Loans
. The conventional mortgage loans underlying the Freddie
Mac and Fannie Mae Certificates consist of adjustable rate or fixed-rate mortgage loans normally
with original terms to maturity of between five and thirty years. Substantially all of these
mortgage loans are secured by first liens on one- to four-family residential properties or
multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the law
creating Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans,
participation interests in whole loans, undivided interests in whole loans and participations
comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.
Certain Additional Information with Respect to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
. The
volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets during late 2008 and into
2009 have led to increased market concerns about Freddie Macs and Fannie Maes ability to
withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and
on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On
September 6, 2008, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA has assumed
control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae,
and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders,
directors and officers, including the power to (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac
and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of Freddie
Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all
obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac
and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservators appointment; (4) preserve and conserve
the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in
fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator. In addition, in connection
with the actions taken by the FHFA, the U.S. Treasury Department (the Treasury) has entered into
certain preferred stock purchase agreements with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which establish
the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of Freddie Mac and
B-17
Fannie Mae, which stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the
Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and the issuance of this senior preferred stock place
significant restrictions on the activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac and Fannie
Mae must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to
purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior
preferred stock to the Treasury, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the
conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt
beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum
size of each of Freddie Macs and Fannie Maes respective portfolios of mortgages and
Mortgage-Backed Securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified
percentage each year. On June 16, 2010, FHFA ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs stock de-listed
from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after the price of common stock in Fannie Mae fell below
the NYSE minimum average closing price of $1 for more than 30 days.
The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other
things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its
role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Macs and Fannie Maes operations and
activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the Treasury, market
responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and future legislative and regulatory
action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each
of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any Mortgage-Backed Securities
guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including any such Mortgage-Backed Securities held by the
Fund.
Privately
Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities
. The Fund may invest in privately issued Mortgage-Backed Securities. Privately
issued Mortgage-Backed Securities are generally backed by pools of conventional (i.e.,
non-government guaranteed or insured) mortgage loans. The seller or servicer of the underlying
mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to certificate-holders as
to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of certain information
furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach of any representation
or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the related certificate-holders
in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer generally will be obligated either to cure the breach in
all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the related agreement so provides, to
substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the conditions set forth therein. Such a
repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole remedy available to the related
certificate-holders or the trustee for the material breach of any such representation or warranty
by the seller or servicer.
Mortgage Pass-Through Securities
To the extent consistent with its investment policies, the Fund may invest in both government
guaranteed and privately issued mortgage passthrough securities (Mortgage Pass-Throughs) that are
fixed or adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities which provide for monthly payments that are a
pass-through of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by
the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees or other amounts paid to any
guarantor, administrator and/or servicer of the underlying mortgage loans. The seller or servicer
of the underlying mortgage obligations will generally make representations and warranties to
certificate-holders as to certain characteristics of the mortgage loans and as to the accuracy of
certain information furnished to the trustee in respect of each such mortgage loan. Upon a breach
of any representation or warranty that materially and adversely affects the interests of the
related certificate-holders in a mortgage loan, the seller or servicer generally may be obligated
either to cure the breach in all material respects, to repurchase the mortgage loan or, if the
related agreement so provides, to substitute in its place a mortgage loan pursuant to the
conditions set forth therein. Such a repurchase or substitution obligation may constitute the sole
remedy available to the related certificate-holders or the trustee for the material breach of any
such representation or warranty by the seller or servicer.
The following discussion describes certain aspects of only a few of the wide variety of
structures of Mortgage Pass-Throughs that are available or may be issued.
General Description of Certificates
. Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be issued in one or
more classes of senior certificates and one or more classes of subordinate certificates. Each such
class may bear a different pass-through rate. Generally, each certificate will evidence the
specified interest of the holder thereof in the payments of principal or interest or both in
respect of the mortgage pool comprising part of the trust fund for such certificates.
Any class of certificates may also be divided into subclasses entitled to varying amounts of
principal and interest. If a REMIC election has been made, certificates of such subclasses may be
entitled to payments on the basis of a stated principal balance and stated interest rate, and
payments among different subclasses may be made on a sequential, concurrent, pro rata or
disproportionate basis, or any combination thereof. The stated interest rate on any such subclass
of certificates may be a fixed rate or one which varies in direct or inverse relationship to an
objective interest index.
Generally, each registered holder of a certificate will be entitled to receive its pro rata
share of monthly distributions of all or a portion of principal of the underlying mortgage loans or
of interest on the principal balances thereof, which accrues at the applicable mortgage
pass-through rate, or both. The difference between the mortgage interest rate and the related
mortgage pass-through rate (less the amount, if any, of retained yield) with respect to each
mortgage loan will generally be paid to the servicer as a servicing fee. Because certain adjustable
rate mortgage loans included in a mortgage pool may provide for deferred interest (i.e., negative
amortization), the amount of interest actually paid by a mortgagor in any month may be less than
the amount of interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance of the related mortgage loan
during the relevant period at the applicable mortgage interest rate. In such event, the amount of
interest that is treated as deferred interest will generally be added to the principal balance of
the related mortgage loan and will be distributed pro rata to certificate-holders as principal of
such mortgage loan when paid by the mortgagor in subsequent monthly payments or at maturity.
Ratings
. The ratings assigned by a rating organization to Mortgage Pass-Throughs
generally address the likelihood of the receipt of distributions on the underlying mortgage loans
by the related certificate-holders under the agreements pursuant to which such certificates are
issued. A rating organizations ratings normally take into consideration the credit quality of the
related mortgage pool, including any credit support providers, structural and legal aspects
associated with such certificates, and the extent to which the payment stream on such mortgage pool
is adequate to make payments required by such certificates. A rating organizations ratings on such
certificates do not, however, constitute a statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the
related mortgage loans. In addition, the rating assigned by a rating organization to a certificate
may not address the possibility that, in the event of the insolvency of the issuer of certificates
where a subordinated interest was retained, the issuance and sale of the senior certificates may be
recharacterized as a financing and, as a result of such recharacterization, payments on such
certificates may be affected. A rating organization may downgrade or withdraw a rating assigned by
it to any Mortgage Pass-Through at any time, and no assurance can be made that any ratings on any
Mortgage Pass-Throughs included in the Fund will be maintained, or that if such ratings are
assigned, they will not be downgraded or withdrawn by the assigning rating organization.
Recently, rating agencies have placed on credit watch or downgraded the ratings previously
assigned to a large number of mortgage-backed securities (which may include certain of the
Mortgage-Backed Securities in which the Fund may have invested or may in the future be invested),
and may continue to do so in the future. In the event that any Mortgage-Backed Security held by the
Fund is placed on credit watch or downgraded, the value of such Mortgage-Backed Security may
decline and the Fund may consequently experience losses in respect of such Mortgage-Backed
Security.
Credit Enhancement
. Mortgage pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer
a higher yield than government and government-related pools because of the absence of direct or
indirect government or agency payment guarantees. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on
underlying assets to make payments, Mortgage Pass-Throughs may contain elements of credit support.
Credit support falls generally into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection
against losses resulting from default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection
refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pools of mortgages,
the provision of a reserve fund, or a combination thereof, to ensure, subject to certain
limitations, that scheduled payments on the underlying pool are made in a timely fashion.
Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate
B-18
payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. Such credit
support can be provided by, among other things, payment guarantees, letters of credit, pool
insurance, subordination, or any combination thereof.
Subordination; Shifting of Interest; Reserve Fund
. In order to achieve ratings on one
or more classes of Mortgage Pass-Throughs, one or more classes of certificates may be subordinate
certificates which provide that the rights of the subordinate certificate-holders to receive any or
a specified portion of distributions with respect to the underlying mortgage loans may be
subordinated to the rights of the senior certificate holders. If so structured, the subordination
feature may be enhanced by distributing to the senior certificate-holders on certain distribution
dates, as payment of principal, a specified percentage (which generally declines over time) of all
principal payments received during the preceding prepayment period (shifting interest credit
enhancement). This will have the effect of accelerating the amortization of the senior
certificates while increasing the interest in the trust fund evidenced by the subordinate
certificates. Increasing the interest of the subordinate certificates relative to that of the
senior certificates is intended to preserve the availability of the subordination provided by the
subordinate certificates. In addition, because the senior certificate-holders in a shifting
interest credit enhancement structure are entitled to receive a percentage of principal prepayments
which is greater than their proportionate interest in the trust fund, the rate of principal
prepayments on the mortgage loans may have an even greater effect on the rate of principal payments
and the amount of interest payments on, and the yield to maturity of, the senior certificates.
In addition to providing for a preferential right of the senior certificate-holders to receive
current distributions from the mortgage pool, a reserve fund may be established relating to such
certificates (the Reserve Fund). The Reserve Fund may be created with an initial cash deposit by
the originator or servicer and augmented by the retention of distributions otherwise available to
the subordinate certificate-holders or by excess servicing fees until the Reserve Fund reaches a
specified amount.
The subordination feature, and any Reserve Fund, are intended to enhance the likelihood of
timely receipt by senior certificate-holders of the full amount of scheduled monthly payments of
principal and interest due to them and will protect the senior certificate-holders against certain
losses; however, in certain circumstances the Reserve Fund could be depleted and temporary
shortfalls could result. In the event that the Reserve Fund is depleted before the subordinated
amount is reduced to zero, senior certificate-holders will nevertheless have a preferential right
to receive current distributions from the mortgage pool to the extent of the then outstanding
subordinated amount. Unless otherwise specified, until the subordinated amount is reduced to zero,
on any distribution date any amount otherwise distributable to the subordinate certificates or, to
the extent specified, in the Reserve Fund will generally be used to offset the amount of any losses
realized with respect to the mortgage loans (Realized Losses). Realized Losses remaining after
application of such amounts will generally be applied to reduce the ownership interest of the
subordinate certificates in the mortgage pool. If the subordinated amount has been reduced to zero,
Realized Losses generally will be allocated pro rata among all certificate-holders in proportion to
their respective outstanding interests in the mortgage pool.
Alternative Credit Enhancement
. As an alternative, or in addition to the credit
enhancement afforded by subordination, credit enhancement for Mortgage Pass-Throughs may be
provided through bond insurers, or at the mortgage loan-level through mortgage insurance, hazard
insurance, or through the deposit of cash, certificates of deposit, letters of credit, a limited
guaranty or by such other methods as are acceptable to a rating agency. In certain circumstances,
such as where credit enhancement is provided by bond insurers, guarantees or letters of credit, the
security is subject to credit risk because of its exposure to the credit risk of an external credit
enhancement provider.
Voluntary Advances
. Generally, in the event of delinquencies in payments on the
mortgage loans underlying the Mortgage Pass-Throughs, the servicer may agree to make advances of
cash for the benefit of certificate-holders, but generally will do so only to the extent that it
determines such voluntary advances will be recoverable from future payments and collections on the
mortgage loans or otherwise.
Optional Termination
. Generally, the servicer may, at its option with respect to any
certificates, repurchase all of the underlying mortgage loans remaining outstanding at such time if
the aggregate outstanding principal balance of such mortgage loans is less than a
specified percentage (generally 5-10%) of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the
mortgage loans as of the cut-off date specified with respect to such series.
Multiple Class Mortgage-Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
. The
Fund may invest in multiple class securities including collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs)
and REMIC Certificates. These securities may be issued by U.S. Government agencies,
instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or by trusts formed by
private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations,
mortgage bankers, commercial banks, insurance companies, investment banks and special purpose
subsidiaries of the foregoing. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are
collateralized by, and multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities represent direct ownership
interests in, a pool of
B-19
mortgage loans or Mortgage-Backed Securities the payments on which are used to make
payments on the CMOs or multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities.
Fannie Mae REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal
and interest by Fannie Mae. In addition, Fannie Mae will be obligated to distribute the principal
balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise
available.
Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest on Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates and
also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying
mortgage participation certificates (PCs). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level
payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by Freddie Mac and placed in a
PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, Freddie Mac generally guarantees ultimate
collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction but the
receipt of the required payments may be delayed. Freddie Mac also guarantees timely payment of
principal of certain PCs.
CMOs and guaranteed REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are types of
multiple class Mortgage-Backed Securities. The REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership
interests in a REMIC trust, generally consisting of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
Ginnie Mae guaranteed Mortgage-Backed Securities (the Mortgage Assets). The obligations of Fannie
Mae or Freddie Mac under their respective guaranty of the REMIC Certificates are obligations solely
of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, respectively. See Certain Additional Information with Respect to
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
CMOs and REMIC Certificates are issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs or REMIC
Certificates, often referred to as a tranche, is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed
interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal
prepayments on the mortgage loans or the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates
may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially
earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes
of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.
The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several
classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as sequential
pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on
the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order
of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any
class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final
distribution date have been paid in full.
Additional structures of CMOs and REMIC Certificates include, among others, parallel pay
CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured
to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes
concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken
into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class.
A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay
structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as Z-Bonds), which only
accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final
distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security,
and planned amortization class (PAC) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that
generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or
more classes or REMIC Certificates (the PAC Certificates), even though all other principal
payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets are then required to be applied to one or more
other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates
generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all
classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable
on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating
the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more
tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage
assets. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other
PAC classes.
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
. Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)
are a type of Mortgage Pass-Through that are primarily backed by a pool of commercial mortgage
loans. The commercial mortgage loans are, in turn, generally secured by commercial mortgaged
properties (such as office properties, retail properties, hospitality properties, industrial
properties, healthcare related properties or other types of income producing real property). CMBS
generally entitle the holders thereof to receive payments that depend primarily on the cash flow
from a specified pool of commercial or multifamily mortgage loans. CMBS will be affected by
payments, defaults, delinquencies and losses on the underlying mortgage loans. The underlying
mortgage loans generally are secured by income producing properties such as office properties,
retail properties, multifamily properties, manufactured housing,
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hospitality properties, industrial properties and self storage properties. Because issuers of
CMBS have no significant assets other than the underlying commercial real estate loans and because
of the significant credit risks inherent in the underlying collateral, credit risk is a
correspondingly important consideration with respect to the related CMBS Securities. Certain of the
mortgage loans underlying CMBS Securities constituting part of the collateral interests may be
delinquent, in default or in foreclosure.
Commercial real estate lending may expose a lender (and the related Mortgage-Backed Security)
to a greater risk of loss than certain other forms of lending because it typically involves making
larger loans to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, in the case of
certain commercial mortgage loans, repayment of loans secured by commercial and multifamily
properties depends upon the ability of the related real estate project to generate income
sufficient to pay debt service, operating expenses and leasing commissions and to make necessary
repairs, tenant improvements and capital improvements, and in the case of loans that do not fully
amortize over their terms, to retain sufficient value to permit the borrower to pay off the loan at
maturity through a sale or refinancing of the mortgaged property. The net operating income from and
value of any commercial property is subject to various risks, including changes in general or local
economic conditions and/or specific industry segments; declines in real estate values; declines in
rental or occupancy rates; increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates and other operating
expenses; changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies; acts of God; terrorist
threats and attacks and social unrest and civil disturbances. In addition, certain of the mortgaged
properties securing the pools of commercial mortgage loans underlying CMBS may have a higher degree
of geographic concentration in a few states or regions. Any deterioration in the real estate market
or economy or adverse events in such states or regions, may increase the rate of delinquency and
default experience (and as a consequence, losses) with respect to mortgage loans related to
properties in such state or region. Pools of mortgaged properties securing the commercial mortgage
loans underlying CMBS may also have a higher degree of concentration in certain types of commercial
properties. Accordingly, such pools of mortgage loans represent higher exposure to risks particular
to those types of commercial properties. Certain pools of commercial mortgage loans underlying CMBS
consist of a fewer number of mortgage loans with outstanding balances that are larger than average.
If a mortgage pool includes mortgage loans with larger than average balances, any realized losses
on such mortgage loans could be more severe, relative to the size of the pool, than would be the
case if the aggregate balance of the pool were distributed among a larger number of mortgage loans.
Certain borrowers or affiliates thereof relating to certain of the commercial mortgage loans
underlying CMBS may have had a history of bankruptcy. Certain mortgaged properties securing the
commercial mortgage loans underlying CMBS may have been exposed to environmental conditions or
circumstances. The ratings in respect of certain of the CMBS comprising the Mortgage-Backed
Securities may have been withdrawn, reduced or placed on credit watch since issuance. In addition,
losses and/or appraisal reductions may be allocated to certain of such CMBS and certain of the
collateral or the assets underlying such collateral may be delinquent and/or may default from time
to time.
CMBS held by the Fund may be subordinated to one or more other classes of securities of the
same series for purposes of, among other things, establishing payment priorities and offsetting
losses and other shortfalls with respect to the related underlying mortgage loans. Realized losses
in respect of the mortgage loans included in the CMBS pool and trust expenses generally will be
allocated to the most subordinated class of securities of the related series. Accordingly, to the
extent any CMBS is or becomes the most subordinated class of securities of the related series, any
delinquency or default on any underlying mortgage loan may result in shortfalls, realized loss
allocations or extensions of its weighted average life and will have a more immediate and
disproportionate effect on the related CMBS than on a related more senior class of CMBS of the same
series. Further, even if a class is not the most subordinate class of securities, there can be no
assurance that the subordination offered to such class will be sufficient on any date to offset all
losses or expenses incurred by the underlying trust. CMBS are typically not guaranteed or insured,
and distributions on such CMBS generally will depend solely upon the amount and timing of payments
and other collections on the related underlying commercial mortgage loans.
Asset-Backed Securities
The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from,
assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types
of real and personal property, receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements and other
categories of receivables. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special
purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to
certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy
issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation, or other credit
enhancements may be present.
Such securities are often subject to more
rapid repayment than their stated maturity date would indicate as a result of the pass-through of
prepayments of principal on the underlying loans. During periods of declining interest rates,
prepayment of loans underlying asset-backed securities can be expected to accelerate. Accordingly,
the Funds ability to maintain positions in such securities will be affected by reductions in the
principal amount of such securities resulting from prepayments, and its ability to reinvest the
returns of principal at comparable yields is subject to generally prevailing interest rates at that
time. To the extent that the Fund invests in asset-backed securities, the values of the Funds
portfolio securities will vary with changes in market interest rates generally and the
differentials in yields among various kinds of asset-backed securities.
Asset-backed securities present certain additional risks because asset-backed securities
generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable to
mortgage assets. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such
receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws,
many of which give such debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed on the credit cards,
thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles
rather than residential real property. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan
servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these
obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior
to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of
vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee
for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the
underlying automobiles. Therefore, if the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its
payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to
possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Funds recoveries on repossessed collateral
may not be available to support payments on these securities.
Recent Events Relating to the Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Markets and the Overall Economy
The recent and unprecedented disruption in the residential mortgage-backed securities market
(and in particular, the subprime residential mortgage market), the broader mortgage-backed
securities market and the asset-backed securities market have resulted (and continue to result) in
downward price pressures and increasing foreclosures and defaults in residential and commercial
real estate. Concerns over inflation, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost
of credit, the mortgage market and a depressed real estate market have contributed to increased
volatility and diminished expectations for the economy and markets going forward, and have
contributed to dramatic declines in the housing market, with falling home prices and increasing
foreclosures and unemployment, and significant asset write-downs by financial institutions. These
conditions have prompted a number of financial institutions to seek additional capital, to merge
with other institutions and, in some cases, to fail or seek bankruptcy protection. Since 2008, the
market for Mortgage-Backed Securities (as well as other asset-backed securities) has been
particularly adversely impacted by, among other factors, the failure and subsequent sale of Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc. to J.P. Morgan Chase, the merger of Bank of America Corporation and Merrill
Lynch & Co., the insolvency of Washington Mutual Inc., the failure and subsequent bankruptcy of
Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., the extension of approximately $152 billion in emergency credit by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury to American
B-21
International Group Inc., and, as described above, the conservatorship and the control by the
U.S. government of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Furthermore, the global markets have seen an
increase in volatility due to uncertainty surrounding the level and sustainability of sovereign
debt of certain countries that are part of the European Union, including Greece, Spain, Portugal,
Ireland and Italy, as well as the sustainability of the European Union itself. Recent concerns
over the level and sustainability of the sovereign debt of the United States have aggravated this
volatility. No assurance can be made that this uncertainty will not lead to further disruption of
the credit markets in the United States or around the globe. These events, coupled with the general
global economic downturn, have resulted in a substantial level of uncertainty in the financial
markets, particularly with respect to mortgage-related investments.
The continuation or worsening of this general economic downturn may lead to further declines
in income from, or the value of, real estate, including the real estate which secures the
Mortgage-Backed Securities held by the Fund. Additionally, a lack of credit liquidity, adjustments
of mortgages to higher rates and decreases in the value of real property have occurred and may
continue to occur or worsen, and potentially prevent borrowers from refinancing their mortgages,
which may increase the likelihood of default on their mortgage loans. These economic conditions,
coupled with high levels of real estate inventory and elevated incidence of underwater mortgages,
may also adversely affect the amount of proceeds the holder of a mortgage loan or mortgage-backed
securities (including the Mortgaged-Backed Securities in which the Fund may invest) would realize
in the event of a foreclosure or other exercise of remedies. Moreover, even if such Mortgage-Backed
Securities are performing as anticipated, the value of such securities in the secondary market may
nevertheless fall or continue to fall as a result of deterioration in general market conditions for
such Mortgage-Backed Securities or other asset-backed or structured products. Trading activity
associated with market indices may also drive spreads on those indices wider than spreads on
Mortgage-Backed Securities, thereby resulting in a decrease in value of such Mortgage-Backed
Securities, including the Mortgage-Backed Securities owned by the Fund.
The U.S. Government, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other governmental and regulatory bodies
have recently taken or are considering taking actions to address the financial crisis. These
actions include, but are not limited to, the enactment by the United States Congress of the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law on July 21,
2010 and imposes a new regulatory framework over the U.S. financial services industry and the
consumer credit markets in general, and proposed regulations by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, which, if enacted, would significantly alter the manner in which asset-backed
securities, including Mortgage-Backed Securities, are issued. Given the broad scope, sweeping
nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these regulatory measures, the potential impact
they could have on any of the asset-backed or Mortgage-Backed Securities held by the Fund is
unknown. There can be no assurance that these measures will not have an adverse effect on the
value or marketability of any asset-backed or Mortgage-Backed Securities held by the Fund.
Furthermore, no assurance can be made that the U.S. Government or any U.S. regulatory body (or
other authority or regulatory body) will not continue to take further legislative or regulatory
action in response to the economic crisis or otherwise, and the effect of such actions, if taken,
cannot be known.
Among its other provisions, the Dodd-Frank Act creates a liquidation framework under which the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC), may be appointed as receiver following a
systemic risk determination by the Secretary of Treasury (in consultation with the President) for
the resolution of certain nonbank financial companies and other entities, defined as covered
financial companies, and commonly referred to as systemically important entities, in the event
such a company is in default or in danger of default and the resolution of such a company under
other applicable law would have serious adverse effects on financial stability in the United
States, and also for the resolution of certain of their subsidiaries. No assurances can be given
that this new liquidation framework would not apply to the originators of asset-backed securities,
including Mortgage-Backed Securities, or their respective subsidiaries, including the issuers and
depositors of such securities, although the expectation embedded in the Dodd-Frank Act is that the
framework will be invoked only very rarely. Recent guidance from the FDIC indicates that such new
framework will largely be exercised in a manner consistent with the existing bankruptcy laws, which
is the insolvency regime that would otherwise apply to the sponsors, depositors and issuing
entities with respect to asset-backed securities, including Mortgage-Backed Securities. The
application of such liquidation framework to such entities could result in decreases or delays in
amounts paid on, and hence the market value of, the Mortgage-Backed or asset-backed securities that
are owned by a Fund.
Recently, delinquencies, defaults and losses on residential mortgage loans have increased
substantially and may continue to increase, which may affect the performance of the Mortgage-Backed
Securities in which the Fund may invest. Mortgage loans backing non-agency Mortgage-Backed
Securities are more sensitive to economic factors that could affect the ability of borrowers to pay
their obligations under the mortgage loans backing these securities. In addition, in recent months
housing prices and appraisal values in many states and localities have declined or stopped
appreciating. A continued decline or an extended flattening of those values may result in
additional increases in delinquencies and losses on Mortgage-Backed Securities generally (including
the Mortgaged-Backed Securities that the Fund may invest in as described above).
B-22
The foregoing adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate may reduce the cash
flow which the Fund, to the extent it invests in Mortgage-Backed Securities or other asset-backed
securities, receives from such securities and increase the incidence and severity of credit events
and losses in respect of such securities. In addition, interest rate spreads for Mortgage-Backed
Securities have widened and are more volatile when compared to the recent past due to these adverse
changes in market conditions. In the event that interest rate spreads for Mortgage-Backed
Securities and other asset-backed securities widen following the purchase of such assets by the
Fund, the market value of such securities is likely to decline and, in the case of a substantial
spread widening, could decline by a substantial amount. Furthermore, these adverse changes in
market conditions have resulted in reduced liquidity in the market for Mortgage-Backed Securities
and other asset-backed securities (including the Mortgaged-Backed Securities and other asset-backed
securities in which the Fund may invest) and increasing unwillingness by banks, financial
institutions and investors to extend credit to servicers, originators and other participants in the
market for Mortgage-Backed and other asset-backed securities. As a result, the liquidity and/or the
market value of any Mortgage-Backed or asset-backed securities that are owned by the Fund may
experience further declines after they are purchased by the Fund.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities
The Fund may invest in leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments (inverse floaters).
The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of
interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be considered to be
leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of
the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse
floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values. Accordingly, the duration
of an inverse floater may exceed its stated final maturity. Certain inverse floaters may be deemed
to be illiquid securities for purposes of the Funds 15% limitation on investments in such
securities.
High Yield Securities
The Fund may invest in bonds rated BB or below by Standard & Poors or Ba or below by Moodys
(or comparable rated and unrated securities). These bonds are commonly referred to as junk bonds
and are considered speculative. The Fund may invest up to
B-23
10% of its
net assets in non-investment grade securities. The ability of issuers of
non-investment grade securities to make principal and interest payments may be questionable. In
some cases, such bonds may be highly speculative, have poor prospects for reaching investment grade
standing and be in default. As a result, investment in such bonds will entail greater risks than
those associated with investment grade bonds (
i.e.
, bonds rated AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard and
Poors or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody s). Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high
yield securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities, and the
ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of its investments in
high yield securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case
if the Fund were investing in higher quality securities. See Appendix A for a description of the
corporate bond and preferred stock ratings by Standard & Poors, Moodys, Fitch, Inc. (Fitch) and
Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (DBRS).
Risks associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally are greater than is
the case with higher rated securities because such issuers are often less creditworthy companies or
are highly leveraged and generally less able than more established or less leveraged entities to
make scheduled payments of principal and interest. High yield securities are also issued by
governmental issuers that may have difficulty in making all scheduled interest and principal
payments.
The market values of high yield, fixed income securities tend to reflect individual corporate
or municipal developments to a greater extent than do those of higher rated securities, which react
primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Issuers of such high yield
securities are often highly leveraged, and may not be able to make use of more traditional methods
of financing. Their ability to service debt obligations may be more adversely affected than
issuers of higher rated securities by economic downturns, specific corporate or governmental
developments or the issuers inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. High yield
securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher-rated securities.
Negative publicity about the junk bond market and investor perceptions regarding lower-rated
securities, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may depress the prices for such high
yield securities.
Because investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with
non-investment grade securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, the yields and prices of
such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher-rated securities. In the lower
quality segments of the fixed income securities market, changes in perceptions of issuers
creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in
higher quality segments of the fixed income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price
volatility.
Another factor which causes fluctuations in the prices of high yield, fixed income securities
is the supply and demand for similarly rated securities. In addition, the prices of fixed income
securities fluctuate in response to the general level of interest rates. Fluctuations in the
prices of portfolio securities subsequent to their acquisition will not affect cash income from
such securities but will be reflected in the Funds net asset value.
The risk of loss from default for the holders of high yield securities is significantly
greater than is the case for holders of other debt securities because such high yield securities
are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to the rights of other creditors of the issuers
of such securities. Investment by the Fund in already defaulted securities poses an additional
risk of loss should nonpayment of principal and interest continue in respect of such securities.
Even if such securities are held to maturity, recovery by the Fund of its initial investment and
any anticipated income or appreciation is uncertain. In addition, the Fund may incur additional
expenses to the extent that it is required to seek recovery relating to the default in the payment
of principal or interest on such securities or otherwise protect its interests. The Fund may be
required to liquidate other portfolio securities to satisfy annual
distribution obligations of the Fund in
respect of accrued interest income on securities which are subsequently written off, even though
the Fund has not received any cash payments of such interest.
The secondary market for high yield, fixed income securities is concentrated in relatively few
markets and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies
and other financial institutions. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as
liquid as and is more volatile than the secondary market for higher-rated securities. In addition,
the trading volume for high-yield, fixed-income securities is generally lower than that of higher
rated securities and the secondary market for high yield, fixed income securities could contract
under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the
condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the
Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower
rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in
calculating the net asset value of the Fund. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more
difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities in its portfolio.
B-24
The adoption of new legislation could adversely affect the secondary market for high yield
securities and the financial condition of issuers of these securities. The form of any future
legislation, and the probability of such legislation being enacted, is uncertain.
Non-investment grade or high yield fixed income securities also present risks based on payment
expectations. High yield, fixed income securities frequently contain call or buy-back features
which permit the issuer to call or repurchase the security from its holder. If an issuer exercises
such a call option and redeems the security, the Fund may have to replace such security with a
lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. In addition, if the Fund
experiences net redemptions of its shares, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated securities,
resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the portfolios of the Fund and increasing
the exposure of the Fund to the risks of high yield securities.
Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of
principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market
value risk of non-investment grade securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks
of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a
rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market
value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of
investment quality. Investments in non-investment grade and comparable unrated obligations will be
more dependent on the Investment Advisers credit analysis than would be the case with investments
in investment-grade debt obligations. The Investment Adviser employs its own credit research and
analysis, which includes a study of an issuers existing debt, capital structure, ability to
service debt and to pay dividends, sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and
current trend of earnings. The Investment Adviser continually monitors the investments in the
portfolios of the Fund and evaluates whether to dispose of or to retain non-investment grade and
comparable unrated securities whose credit ratings or credit quality may have changed.
Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest in foreign securities. Investments in
foreign securities may offer potential benefits not available from investments solely in U.S.
dollar-denominated or quoted securities of domestic issuers. Such benefits may include the
opportunity to invest in foreign issuers that appear, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, to
offer the potential for better long term growth of capital and income than investments in U.S.
securities, the opportunity to invest in foreign countries with economic policies or business
cycles different from those of the United States and the opportunity to reduce fluctuations in
portfolio value by taking advantage of foreign securities markets that do not necessarily move in a
manner parallel to U.S. markets. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers also involves,
however, certain special risks, including those discussed in the Funds Prospectus and those set
forth below, which are not typically associated with investing in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities or quoted securities of U.S. issuers.
With
any investments in certain foreign securities, there exist certain economic,
political and social risks, including the risk of adverse political
developments, nationalization, confiscation without fair
compensation, or war. 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. Investments
in foreign securities usually involve currencies of foreign countries. Accordingly,
the Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange
control regulations and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
The Fund may be subject to currency exposure independent of its securities positions. To the
extent that the Fund is fully invested in foreign securities while also maintaining net currency
positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.
Currency exchange rates may fluctuate
significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply
and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different
countries, actual or anticipated changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from
an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by
intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or the
failure to intervene or by
currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.
B-25
Because foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a
U.S. company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United
States and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities
of comparable U.S. companies. The securities of foreign issuers may be listed on foreign
securities exchanges or traded in foreign over-the-counter markets. Fixed commissions on foreign
securities exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although
the Fund endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on its portfolio transactions. There
is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers,
dealers and listed and unlisted companies than in the United States, and the legal remedies for
investors may be more limited than the remedies available in the United States.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain
markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Such delays in
settlement could result in temporary periods when some of the Funds assets are uninvested and no
return is earned on such assets. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due
to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability
to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the
Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio securities or, if the Fund has entered
into a contract to sell the securities could result in possible
liability to the purchaser. In addition, with respect to certain
foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation, limitations on the movements of funds and
other assets between different countries, political or social
instability, or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect
the Funds investments in those countries.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities which take the form of sponsored and unsponsored
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), European Depositary
Receipts (EDRs) or other similar instruments representing securities of foreign issuers
(together, Depositary Receipts). ADRs represent the right to receive securities of foreign
issuers deposited in a domestic bank or a correspondent bank. ADRs are traded on domestic exchanges
or in the U.S. over-the-counter market and, generally, are in registered form. EDRs and GDRs are
receipts evidencing an arrangement with a non-U.S. bank similar to that for ADRs and are designed
for use in the non-U.S. securities markets. EDRs and GDRs are not necessarily quoted in the same
currency as the underlying security.
To the extent the Fund acquires Depositary Receipts through banks which do not have a
contractual relationship with the foreign issuer of the security underlying the Depositary Receipts
to issue and service such unsponsored Depositary Receipts, there may
be an increased possibility that
the Fund will not become aware of and be able to respond to corporate actions such as stock splits
or rights offerings involving the foreign issuer in a timely manner. In addition, the lack of
information may result in inefficiencies in the valuation of such instruments. Investment in
Depositary Receipts does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of
non-U.S. issuers. The market value of Depositary Receipts is dependent upon the market value of
the underlying securities and fluctuations in the relative value of the currencies in which the
Depositary Receipts and the underlying securities are quoted. However, by investing in Depositary
Receipts, such as ADRs, that are quoted in U.S. dollars, the Fund may avoid currency risks during
the settlement period for purchases and sales.
As described more fully below, the Fund may invest in countries with emerging economies or
securities markets. Political and economic structures in many of such countries may be undergoing
significant evolution and rapid development, and such countries may lack the social, political and
economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Certain of such countries have in
the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated
the assets of private companies. As a result, the risks described above, including the risks of
nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. See Investing in Emerging
Countries below.
Foreign Government Obligations.
Foreign government obligations include securities, instruments
and obligations issued or guaranteed by a foreign government, its agencies, instrumentalities or
sponsored enterprises. Investment in foreign government obligations can involve a high degree of
risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of foreign government obligations may not
be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of
such debt. A governmental entitys willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a
timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its
foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the
relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entitys
policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a
governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also be
B-26
dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others
abroad to reduce principal and interest on their debt. The commitment on the part of these
governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental
entitys implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of
such debtors obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic
performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third
parties commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such
debtors ability or willingness to services its debts in a timely manner. Consequently,
governmental entities may default on their debt. Holders of foreign government obligations
(including the Fund) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend
further loans to governmental agencies.
Investing in Emerging Countries.
The securities markets of emerging countries are less liquid
and subject to greater price volatility, and have a smaller market capitalization, than the U.S.
securities markets. In certain countries, there may be fewer publicly traded securities and the
market may be dominated by a few issues or sectors. Issuers and securities markets in such
countries are generally not subject to as extensive and frequent accounting, financial and other reporting
requirements or as comprehensive government regulations as are issuers and securities markets in
the U.S. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of emerging
country issuers may not reflect their financial position or results of operations in the same
manner as financial statements for U.S. issuers. Substantially less information may be publicly
available about emerging country issuers than is available about issuers in the United States.
Emerging country securities markets are typically marked by a high concentration of market
capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of
industries, as well as a high concentration of ownership of such securities by a limited number of
investors. The markets for securities in certain emerging countries are in the earliest stages of
their development. Even the markets for relatively widely traded securities in emerging countries
may not be able to absorb, without price disruptions, a significant increase in trading volume or
trades of a size customarily undertaken by institutional investors in the securities markets of
developed countries. The limited size of many of these securities markets can cause prices to be
erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the soundness and competitiveness of the
securities issuers. For example, prices may be unduly influenced by traders who control large
positions in these markets. Additionally, market making and arbitrage activities are generally
less extensive in such markets, which may contribute to increased volatility and reduced liquidity
of such markets. The limited liquidity of emerging country securities may also affect the Funds
ability to accurately value its portfolio securities or to acquire or dispose of securities at the
price and time it wishes to do so or in order to meet redemption requests.
With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, antiquated legal systems may
have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in
a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of
the shareholders investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging
market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more
limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.
Transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups, in emerging countries
may be higher than in the United States and other developed securities markets. In addition,
existing laws and regulations are often inconsistently applied. As legal systems in emerging
countries develop, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and
regulations. In circumstances where adequate laws exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift
and equitable enforcement of the law.
Custodial and/or settlement systems in emerging markets countries may not be fully developed.
To the extent the Fund invests in emerging markets, Fund assets that are traded in such markets and
which have been entrusted to such sub-custodians in those markets may be exposed to risks for which
the sub-custodian will have no liability.
Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain emerging countries is restricted or
controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the Funds investment in certain
emerging countries and may increase the expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging countries require
governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit investment by foreign
persons to only a specified percentage of an issuers outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the company
available for purchase by nationals. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and
capital from emerging countries may be subject to restrictions which require governmental consents
or prohibit repatriation entirely for a period of time. Even where there is no outright
restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of
the operation of the Fund. The Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other
arrangements before investing in certain emerging countries.
Emerging countries may be subject to a substantially greater degree of economic, political and
social instability and disruption than is the case in the United States, Japan and most Western
European countries. This instability may result from, among other things, the following: (i)
authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making,
including changes or attempted changes in governments through extra-constitutional means; (ii)
popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic or social conditions; (iii)
internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; (v) ethnic,
B-27
religious and racial disaffection or conflict; and (vi) the absence of developed legal
structures governing foreign private investments and private property. Such economic, political
and social instability could disrupt the principal financial markets in which the Fund may invest
and adversely affect the value of the Funds assets. The Funds investments can also be adversely
affected by any increase in taxes or by political, economic or diplomatic developments.
The economies of emerging countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources,
self-sufficiency and balance of payments. Many emerging countries have experienced in the past,
and continue to experience, high rates of inflation. In certain countries inflation has at times
accelerated rapidly to hyperinflationary levels, creating a negative interest rate environment and
sharply eroding the value of outstanding financial assets in those countries. Other emerging
countries, on the other hand, have recently experienced deflationary pressures and are in economic
recessions. The economies of many emerging countries are heavily dependent upon international
trade, particularly exports, and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of
their trading partners. In addition, the economies of some emerging countries are vulnerable to
weakness in world prices for their commodity exports.
The Funds income and, in some cases, capital gains from foreign stocks and securities will be
subject to applicable taxation in certain of the countries in which it invests, and treaties
between the U.S. and such countries may not be available in some cases to reduce the otherwise
applicable tax rates. See TAXATION.
From time to time, certain of the companies in which a Fund may invest may operate in, or
have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and
the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of
terrorism. A company may suffer damage to its reputation if it is identified as a company which
operates in, or has dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S.
government as state sponsors of terrorism. As an investor in such companies, the Fund will be
indirectly subject to those risks. Iran is subject to several United Nations sanctions and is an
embargoed country by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of Treasury.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts.
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency
exchange contracts for hedging purposes and to seek to protect against anticipated changes in
future foreign currency exchange rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract involves an
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number
of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the
contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market between currency traders (usually
large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit
requirement, and no commissions are generally charged at any stage for trades.
At the maturity of a forward contract the Fund may either accept or make delivery of the
currency specified in the contract or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction
involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to
forward contracts are often, but not always, effected with the currency trader who is a party to
the original forward contract.
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in several circumstances.
First, when the Fund enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated or
quoted in a foreign currency, or when the Fund anticipates the receipt in a foreign currency of
dividend or interest payments on such a security which it holds, the Fund may desire to lock in
the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent of such dividend or interest
payment, as the case may be. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a
fixed amount of dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transactions,
the Fund will attempt to protect itself against an adverse change in the relationship between the
U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date on which the
security is purchased or sold, or on which the dividend or interest payment is declared, and the
date on which such payments are made or received.
Additionally, when the Investment Adviser believes that the currency of a particular foreign
country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, it may enter into a forward
contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating
the value of some or all of the Funds portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign
currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities
involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign
currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities
between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Using forward
contracts to protect the value of the Funds portfolio securities against a decline in the value of
a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. It simply
establishes a rate of exchange which the Fund can achieve at some future point in time. The
precise projection of short-term currency market movements is not possible, and short-term hedging
provides a means of fixing the U.S. dollar value of only a portion of the Funds foreign assets.
B-28
The Fund may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge
against fluctuations in the value of securities quoted or denominated in a different currency. In
addition, the Fund may enter into foreign currency transactions to seek a closer correlation
between the Funds overall currency exposure and the currency exposure of the Funds performance
benchmark.
Unless otherwise covered in accordance with applicable regulations, cash or liquid assets of
the Fund will be segregated in an amount equal to the value of the Funds total assets committed to
the consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. If the value of the segregated
assets declines, additional cash or liquid assets will be segregated so that the value of the
assets will equal the amount of the Funds commitments with respect to such contracts.
While the Fund may enter into forward contracts to reduce currency exchange rate risks,
transactions in such contracts involve certain other risks. Thus, while the Fund may benefit from
such transactions, unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in a poorer overall
performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in any such transactions. Moreover, there may
be imperfect correlation between the Funds portfolio holdings of securities quoted or denominated
in a particular currency and forward contracts entered into by the Fund. Such imperfect
correlation may cause the Fund to sustain losses which will prevent the Fund from achieving a
complete hedge or expose the Fund to risk of foreign exchange loss.
Markets for trading foreign forward currency contracts offer less protection against defaults
than is available when trading in currency instruments on an exchange. Forward contracts are
subject to the risk that the counterparty to such contract will default on its obligations.
Because a forward foreign currency exchange contract is not guaranteed by an exchange or
clearinghouse, a default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits, transaction
costs or the benefits of a currency hedge or force the Fund to cover its purchase or sale
commitments, if any, at the current market price. In addition, the institutions that deal in
forward currency contracts are not required to continue to make markets in the currencies they
trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity. The Fund will not enter into
forward foreign currency exchange contracts, currency swaps or other privately negotiated currency
instruments unless the credit quality of the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of
the counterparty is considered to be investment grade by the Investment Adviser. To the extent
that a portion of the Funds total assets, adjusted to reflect the Funds net position after giving
effect to currency transactions, is denominated or quoted in the currencies of foreign countries,
the Fund will be more susceptible to the risk of adverse economic and political developments within
those countries.
Writing and Purchasing Currency Call and Put Options.
The Fund may, to the extent that it
invests in foreign securities, write and purchase put and call options on foreign currencies for
the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities
and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other
kinds of option transactions, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute
only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received. If and when the Fund seeks to
close out an option, the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at
disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign
currency may constitute an effective hedge against exchange rate fluctuations; however, in the
event of exchange rate movements adverse to the Funds position, the Fund may forfeit the entire
amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on foreign currencies may be traded
on U.S. and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
Options on currency may also be used for cross-hedging purposes, which involves writing or
purchasing options on one currency to seek to hedge against changes in exchange rates for a
different currency with a pattern of correlation, or to seek to increase total return when the
Investment Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but the
securities quoted or denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment
opportunities and are not included in the Funds portfolio.
A call option written by the Fund obligates the Fund to sell a specified currency to the
holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. A
put option written by the Fund obligates the Fund to purchase a specified currency from the option
holder at a specified price if the option is exercised before the expiration date. The writing of
currency options involves a risk that the Fund will, upon exercise of the option, be required to
sell currency subject to a call at a price that is less than the currencys market value or be
required to purchase currency subject to a put at a price that exceeds the currencys market value.
Written put and call options on foreign currencies may be covered in a manner similar to written
put and call options on securities and securities indices described
under Options on Securities and Securities IndicesWriting Covered Options
above.
The Fund may terminate its obligations under a call or put option by purchasing an option
identical to the one it has written. Such purchases are referred to as closing purchase
transactions. The Fund may enter into closing sale transactions in order to realize gains or
minimize losses on options purchased by the Fund.
B-29
The Fund may purchase call options on foreign currency in anticipation of an increase in the
U.S. dollar value of currency in which securities to be acquired by the Fund are quoted or
denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid,
to purchase specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The Fund would
ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of such currency exceeded the sum
of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize
either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The Fund may purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of
currency in which securities in its portfolio are quoted or denominated (protective puts). The
purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell
specified currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts
is usually designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the dollar value of the Funds
portfolio securities due to currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund would ordinarily realize
a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying currency decreased below the
exercise price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the
Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on
the purchase of protective put options would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the
value of underlying currency or portfolio securities.
In addition to using options for the hedging purposes described above, the Fund may use
options on currency to seek to increase total return. The Fund may write (sell) covered put and
call options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio
securities transactions alone. However, in writing covered call options for additional income, the
Fund may forego the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying
currency. Also, when writing put options, the Fund accepts, in return for the option premium, the
risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying currency at a price in excess of the
currencys market value at the time of purchase.
Special
Risks Associated with Options on Currency.
An exchange traded options position may be
closed out only on an options exchange that provides a secondary market for an option of the same
series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on
an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time. For some options no
secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect
closing transactions in particular options, with the result that the Fund would have to exercise
its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of
underlying securities pursuant to the exercise of put options. If the Fund as a covered call
option writer is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not
be able to sell the underlying currency (or security quoted or denominated in that currency) or
dispose of the segregated assets, until the option expires or it delivers the underlying currency
upon exercise.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events
might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation
inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures which may
interfere with the timely execution of customers orders.
The Fund may purchase and write over-the-counter options to the extent consistent with its
limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Trading in over-the-counter options is subject
to the risk that the other party will be unable or unwilling to close out options purchased or
written by the Fund.
The amount of the premiums which the Fund may pay or receive may be adversely affected as new
or existing institutions, including other investment companies, engage in or increase their option
purchasing and writing activities.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including ETFs. The Fund
will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by
investment companies in which it invests, in addition to the management fees (and other expenses)
paid by the Fund. The Funds investments in other investment companies are subject to statutory
limitations prescribed by the Act, including in certain circumstances a prohibition on the Fund
acquiring more that 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on
investing more than 5% of the Funds total assets in securities of any one investment company or
more than 10% of its total assets in the securities of all investment companies. Many ETFs,
however, have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds (such as the
Fund) to invest in their shares beyond these statutory limits, subject to certain conditions and
pursuant to contractual arrangements between the ETFs and the investing funds. The Fund may rely
on these exemptive orders in investing in ETFs. Moreover, pursuant to an exemptive order obtained
from the SEC or under an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, the Fund may invest in investment
companies and money market funds for which an Investment Adviser, or any of its affiliates, serves
as investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor. However, to the extent that the Fund
B-30
invests in a money market fund for which an Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates acts
as investment adviser, the management fees payable by the Fund to the Investment Adviser will, to
the extent required by the SEC, be reduced by an amount equal to the Funds proportionate share of
the management fees paid by such money market fund to its investment adviser. Although the Fund
does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, the Fund is authorized to invest substantially
all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof that has substantially
the same investment objective, policies and fundamental restrictions as the Fund. Additionally, if
the Fund serves as an underlying Fund to another Goldman
Sachs Fund, that Fund intends to comply with the requirements of
Section 12(d)(1)(G)(i)(IV) of the Act.
The Fund may purchase shares of
investment companies investing primarily in foreign securities, including country funds. Country
funds have portfolios consisting primarily of securities of issuers located in specified foreign
countries or regions.
ETFs are shares of unaffiliated investment companies issuing shares which are traded like
traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange. An ETF represents a portfolio of
securities, which is often designed to track a particular market segment or index. An investment
in an ETF, like one in any investment company, carries the same risks as those of its underlying
securities. An ETF may fail to accurately track the returns of the market segment or index that it
is designed to track, and the price of an ETFs shares may fluctuate or lose money. In addition,
because they, unlike other investment companies, are traded on an exchange, ETFs are subject to the
following risks: (i) the market price of the ETFs shares may trade at a premium or discount to the
ETFs net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF may not develop or be maintained;
and (iii) there is no assurance that the requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the
listing of the ETF will continue to be met or remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or
other disruptions affecting ETFs should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Funds
shares could also be substantially and adversely affected.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, brokers and securities dealers which
furnish collateral at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their repurchase
obligations. A repurchase agreement is an arrangement under which the Fund purchases securities and
the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a particular
time and at a specified price for the duration of the agreement.
Custody of the securities is maintained by the Funds custodian (or subcustodian). The repurchase
price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the
purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to the Fund
together with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund is
unrelated to the interest rate on the security subject to the repurchase agreement.
For purposes of the Act and generally for tax purposes, a repurchase agreement is deemed to be
a loan from the Fund to the seller of the security. For other purposes, it is not always clear
whether a court would consider the security purchased by the Fund subject to a repurchase agreement
as being owned by the Fund or as being collateral for a loan by the Fund to the seller. In the
event of commencement of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the
security before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, the Fund may encounter
delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of
interest or a decline in price of the security. If the court characterizes the transaction as a
loan and the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the security, the Fund may be required
to return the security to the sellers estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the
seller. As an unsecured creditor, the Fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal
and interest involved in the transaction.
Apart from the risk of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, there is also the risk that the
seller may fail to repurchase the security. However, if the market value of the security subject
to the repurchase agreement becomes less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest),
the Fund will direct the seller of the security to deliver additional securities so that the market
value of all securities subject to the repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Certain repurchase agreements which provide for settlement in more than seven days can be
liquidated before the nominal fixed term on seven days or less notice. Such repurchase agreements
will be regarded as liquid instruments.
The Fund, together with other registered investment companies having advisory agreements with
the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint
account, the daily aggregate balance of which will be invested in one or more repurchase
agreements.
Short Sales
The Fund may engage in short sales. Short sales are transactions in which the Fund sells a
security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To
complete such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery
B-31
to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at
the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the
price at which the security was sold by the Fund. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is
required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any dividend which accrues during the period of the
loan. To borrow the security, the Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase
the cost of the security sold. There will also be other costs associated with short sales.
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security
increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed
security. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. This
result is the opposite of what one would expect from a cash purchase of a long position in a
security. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the
amount of any premium or amounts in lieu of interest the Fund may be required to pay in connection
with a short sale, and will be also decreased by any transaction or other costs.
Until the Fund replaces a borrowed security in connection with a short sale, the Fund will (a)
segregate cash or liquid assets at such a level that the segregated assets plus any amount
deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short or
(b) otherwise cover its short position in accordance with applicable law.
There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any
particular time or at an acceptable price. During the time that the Fund is short a security, it is
subject to the risk that the lender of the security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund
is unable to borrow the same security from another lender. If that occurs, the Fund may be bought
in at the price required to purchase the security needed to close out the short position, which
may be a disadvantageous price.
If the Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the
securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as
a constructive sale) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale
treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the
appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are
satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the
extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.
Non-Diversified Status
Because the Fund is non-diversified under the Act, it is subject only to certain federal tax
diversification requirements. Under federal tax laws, the Fund may, with respect to 50% of its
total assets, invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of any issuer. With respect
to the remaining 50% of its total assets, (i) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total
assets in the securities of any one issuer, and (ii) the Fund may not acquire more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. These tests apply at the end of each quarter of
the taxable year and are subject to certain conditions and limitations under the Code. These tests
do not apply to investments in United States Government Securities and regulated investment
companies.
Temporary Investments
The Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest a certain percentage of its total
assets in: U.S. Government Securities; commercial paper rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poors,
P-2 by Moodys or having a comparable rating by another NRSRO (or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Adviser to be of
comparable credit quality); certificates of deposit; bankers
acceptances; repurchase agreements; non-convertible preferred stocks and non-convertible corporate
bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year; ETFs; other
investment companies; and cash items. When the Funds assets are invested in such instruments, the
Fund may not be achieving its investment objective.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may engage in active short-term trading to benefit from price disparities among
different issues of securities or among the markets for equity securities, or for other reasons.
As a result of active management, it is anticipated that the portfolio turnover rate may vary
greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by changes in
the holdings of specific issuers, changes in country and currency weightings, cash requirements for
redemption of shares and by requirements which enable the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment.
The Fund is not restricted by policy with regard to portfolio turnover and will make changes in its
investment portfolio from time to time as business and economic conditions as well as market prices
may dictate.
B-32
Special Note Regarding Market Events
Events in the financial sector over the past several years have resulted in reduced liquidity
in credit and fixed income markets and in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial
markets, both domestically and internationally. While entire markets have been impacted, issuers
that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets have been particularly affected.
These events and the potential for continuing market turbulence may have an adverse effect on the
Funds investments. It is uncertain how long these conditions will continue.
The instability in the financial markets led the U.S. government to take a number of
unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and certain segments of
the financial markets. Federal, state, and foreign governments, regulatory agencies, and self
-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which
the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Such
legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds ability to achieve its investment
objectives.
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions
and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and
disposition of these assets are unclear, and such ownership or disposition may have positive or
negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Funds portfolio holdings.
B-33
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The investment restrictions set forth below have been adopted by the Trust as fundamental
policies that cannot be changed with respect to the Fund without the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Act) of the Fund. The
investment objective of the Fund and all other investment policies or practices of the Fund are
considered by the Trust not to be fundamental and accordingly may be changed without shareholder
approval. For purposes of the Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities means the
lesser of the vote of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Trust or the Fund present at a meeting, if the
holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or the Fund are present or
represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares of the Trust or the Fund.
For purposes of the following limitations, any limitation which involves a maximum percentage
shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and
is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Fund.
With respect to the Funds fundamental investment restriction number (3) below, asset coverage of
at least 300% (as defined in the Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all
times.
As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:
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(1)
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Invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers
conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S.
Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities), except that this restriction
shall not apply to the Funds counterparties in foreign currency transactions.
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(2)
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Borrow money, except that (a) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund
may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act), other affiliated investment companies and
other persons or through reverse repurchase agreements in amounts up to 33-1/3% of its
total assets (including the amount borrowed); (b) the Fund may, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, borrow up to an additional 5% of its net assets for temporary
purposes, (c) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (d) the Fund may purchase
securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law and (e) the Fund may
engage in transactions in mortgage dollar rolls which are accounted for as financings.
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The following interpretation applies to, but is not part of, this fundamental
policy: In determining whether a particular investment in portfolio
instruments or participation in portfolio transactions is subject to this
borrowing policy, the accounting treatment of such instrument or participation
shall be considered, but shall not by itself be determinative. Whether a
particular instrument or transaction constitutes a borrowing shall be
determined by the Board, after consideration of all of the relevant
circumstances.
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(4)
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Make loans, except through (a) the purchase of debt obligations in accordance
with the Funds investment objective and policies, (b) repurchase agreements with banks,
brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, (c) loans of securities as permitted
by applicable law and (d) loans to affiliates of the Fund to the extent permitted by
law.
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(5)
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Underwrite securities issued by others, except to the extent that the sale of
portfolio securities by the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriting.
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(6)
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Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, although the Fund may purchase and sell
securities or other investments that are secured by real estate or interests therein,
securities or other investments that reflect the return of or index of real estate
values, securities of real estate investment trusts and mortgage-related securities and
may hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of
securities.
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(7)
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Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may invest in
currency and financial instruments and contracts, including structured notes, futures
contracts and options on such contracts that are commodities or commodity contracts, or
that represent indices of commodities prices, or that reflect the return of such
indices.
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(8)
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Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.
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B-34
The Fund may, notwithstanding any other fundamental investment restriction or policy, invest
some or all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or series thereof with
substantially the same fundamental investment objective, restrictions and policies as the Fund.
In addition to the fundamental policies mentioned above, the Trustees have adopted the
following non-fundamental policies which can be changed or amended by action of the Trustees
without approval of shareholders. Again, for purposes of the following limitations, any limitation
which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the
percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition of securities by the Fund.
The Fund may not:
|
(1)
|
|
Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Invest more than 15% of the Funds net assets in illiquid investments including
illiquid repurchase agreements with a notice or demand period of more than seven days,
securities which are not readily marketable and restricted securities not eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act).
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Purchase additional securities if the Funds borrowings, as permitted by the
Funds borrowing policy, exceed 5% of its net assets.
|
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trusts Leadership Structure
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees
(the Board), subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
The Trustees are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and reviewing the actions of
the Trusts service providers. The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise the Funds daily
business operations. Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as
defined in the Act are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be
interested persons of the Trust are referred to as Interested Trustees. The Board is currently
composed of seven Independent Trustees and two Interested Trustees. The Board has selected an
Independent Trustee to act as Chairman, whose duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and
acting as a focal point to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled
Board and Committee meetings. In the performance of the Chairmans duties, the Chairman will
consult with the other Independent Trustees and the Funds officers and legal counsel, as
appropriate. The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.
The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board
conducts regular, in-person meetings at least six times a year, and holds special in-person or
telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the
next regularly scheduled meeting. In addition, the Independent Trustees meet at least annually to
review, among other things, investment management agreements, distribution (Rule 12b-1) and/or
service plans and related agreements, transfer agency agreements and certain other agreements
providing for the compensation of Goldman Sachs and/or its affiliates by the Fund, and to consider
such other matters as they deem appropriate.
The Board has established six standing committees Audit, Governance and Nominating,
Compliance, Valuation, Dividend and Contract Review Committees. The Board may establish other
committees, or nominate one or more Trustees to examine particular issues related to the Boards
oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its
delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more
information on the Committees, see the section STANDING BOARD COMMITTEES, below.
The Trustees have determined that the Trusts leadership structure is appropriate because it
allows the Trustees to effectively perform their oversight responsibilities.
B-35
Trustees of the Trust
Information
pertaining to the Trustees of the Trust as of February 29, 2012 is set forth
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
Other
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
Age: 69
|
|
Chairman of the
Board of Trustees
|
|
Since 1996
(Trustee since 1991)
|
|
President, ABN
Associates (19941996
and 1998Present);
Director, Apollo
Investment Corporation
(a business
development company)
(2008-Present); Member
of Cornell University
Council (19922004
and 2006Present);
Trustee, Scholarship
America (19982005);
Trustee, Institute for
Higher Education
Policy (20032008);
Director, Private
Equity InvestorsIII
and IV (19982007),
and Equity-Linked
Investors II (April
20022007).
|
|
104
|
|
Apollo Investment
Corporation (a business
development company)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
of TrusteesGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald C. Burke
Age: 51
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Mr. Burke is retired
(since 2010). He is a
Director, Avista Corp.
(2011-Present); and he
was formerly, a
Director, BlackRock
Luxembourg and Cayman
Funds (20062010);
President and Chief
Executive Officer,
BlackRock U.S. Funds
(20072009); Managing
Director, BlackRock,
Inc. (20062009);
Managing Director,
Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers,
L.P. (MLIM) (2006);
First Vice President,
MLIM (19972005);
Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer,
MLIM U.S. Funds
(19992006).
|
|
104
|
|
Avista Corp. (an energy
company)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
Age: 70
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2003
|
|
Partner, Deloitte &
Touche LLP
(19752003);
Director, Emerging
Markets Group, Ltd.
(20042006); and
Director, Elderhostel,
Inc. (2006Present).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
B-36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
Other
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
Diana M. Daniels
Age: 62
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Daniels is retired
(since 2007).
Formerly, she was Vice
President, General
Counsel and Secretary,
The Washington Post
Company (19912006).
Ms. Daniels is a Vice
Chairman of the Board
of Trustees, Cornell
University
(2009Present);
Member, Advisory
Board, Psychology
Without Borders
(international
humanitarian aid
organization) (since
2007), and former
Member of the Legal
Advisory Board, New
York Stock Exchange
(20032006) and of
the Corporate Advisory
Board, Standish Mellon
Management Advisors
(20062007).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph P. LoRusso
Age: 54
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Mr. LoRusso is retired
(since 2008).
Formerly, he was
President, Fidelity
Investments
Institutional Services
Co. (FIIS)
(20022008);
Director, FIIS
(20022008);
Director, Fidelity
Investments
Institutional
Operations Company
(20032007);
Executive Officer,
Fidelity Distributors
Corporation
(20072008).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica Palmer
Age: 63
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Ms. Palmer is retired
(since 2006). She is a
Director, Emerson
Center for the Arts
and Culture
(2011-Present); and
was formerly a
Consultant, Citigroup
Human Resources
Department
(2007-2008); Managing
Director, Citigroup
Corporate and
Investment Banking
(previously, Salomon
Smith Barney/Salomon
Brothers)
(19842006). Ms.
Palmer was a Member of
the Board of Trustees
of Indian Mountain
School (private
elementary and
secondary school)
(20042009).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
Age: 72
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1987
|
|
Director, Cardean
Learning Group
(provider of
educational services
via the internet)
(20032008); Trustee
Emeritus, The
University of Chicago
(1987Present).
|
|
104
|
|
The Northern Trust Mutual
Fund Complex (58
Portfolios) (Chairman of
the Board of Trustees);
Gildan Activewear Inc. (a
clothing marketing and
manufacturing company)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
B-37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Term of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office and
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s)
|
|
Length of
|
|
|
|
Fund Complex
|
|
Other
|
Name,
|
|
Held with the
|
|
Time
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
|
|
Overseen by
|
|
Directorships
|
Address and Age
1
|
|
Trust
|
|
Served
2
|
|
During Past 5 Years
|
|
Trustee
3
|
|
Held by Trustee
4
|
James A. McNamara*
Age: 49
|
|
President and
Trustee
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director,
Goldman Sachs
(December
1998Present);
Director of
Institutional Fund
Sales, GSAM (April
1998December 2000);
and Senior Vice
President and Manager,
Dreyfus Institutional
Service Corporation
(January 1993April
1998).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (November
2007Present); Senior
Vice
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (May
2007November 2007);
and Vice
PresidentGoldman
Sachs Mutual Fund
Complex (20012007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex
(since November 2007
and December 2002May
2004).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan A. Shuch*
Age: 62
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since 1990
|
|
Advisory
DirectorGSAM (May
1999Present);
Consultant to GSAM
(December 1994May
1999); and Limited
Partner, Goldman Sachs
(December 1994May
1999).
|
|
104
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TrusteeGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
These persons are considered to be Interested Trustees because they hold positions with
Goldman Sachs and own securities issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Each Interested
Trustee holds comparable positions with certain other companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM
or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser, administrator and/or distributor.
|
|
1
|
|
Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street,
New York, New York, 10282, Attn: Peter V. Bonanno.
|
|
2
|
|
Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earliest of: (a) the election of
his or her successor; (b) the date the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Board of Trustees
or shareholders, in accordance with the Trusts Declaration of Trust; (c) the conclusion of
the first Board meeting held subsequent to the day the Trustee attains the age of 74 years (in
accordance with the current resolutions of the Board of Trustees, which may be changed by the
Trustees without shareholder vote); or (d) the termination of the Trust.
|
|
3
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consists of the Trust, Goldman Sachs Municipal
Opportunity Fund, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust. As of February 29, 2012, the Trust consisted of 90
portfolios (83 of which
currently offer shares to the public), Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of
12 portfolios (11 of which currently offer shares to the public), and the Goldman Sachs
Municipal Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public.
|
|
4
|
|
This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (
i.e
., public companies) or other investment companies
registered under the Act.
|
The significance or relevance of a Trustees particular experience, qualifications,
attributes and/or skills is considered by the Board on an individual basis. Experience,
qualifications, attributes and/or skills common to all Trustees include the ability to critically
review, evaluate and discuss information provided to them and to interact effectively with the
other Trustees and with representatives of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, other service
providers, legal counsel and the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, the capacity
to address financial and legal issues and exercise reasonable business judgment, and a commitment
to the representation of the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Governance and
Nominating Committees charter contains certain other factors that are considered by the Governance
and Nominating Committee in identifying and evaluating potential nominees to serve as Independent
Trustees. Based on each Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, considered
individually and with respect to the experience, qualifications attributes and/or skills of other
Trustees, the Board has concluded that
B-38
each Trustee should serve as a Trustee. Below is a brief discussion of the experience,
qualifications, attributes and/or skills of each individual Trustee
as of February 29, 2012 that
led the Board to conclude that such individual should serve as a Trustee.
Ashok N. Bakhru
. Mr. Bakhru has served as a Trustee since 1991 and Chairman of the Board since
1996. Mr. Bakhru serves as President of ABN Associates, a management and financial consulting firm,
and is a Director of Apollo Investment Corporation, a business development company. Previously, Mr.
Bakhru was the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Coty Inc., a
multinational cosmetics, fragrance and personal care company. Previously, Mr. Bakhru held several
senior management positions at Scott Paper Company, a major manufacturer of paper products,
including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bakhru also serves on the
Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council and the Board of Governors of the Investment
Company Institute. He also serves on the Advisory Board of BoardIQ, an investment publication. In
addition, Mr. Bakhru has served as Director of Equity-Linked Investments II and Private Equity
Investors III and IV, which are private equity partnerships based in New York City. Mr. Bakhru was
also a Director of Arkwright Mutual Insurance Company. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Bakhru is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Donald C. Burke
. Mr. Burke has served as Trustee since 2010. Mr. Burke serves as a Director of
Avista Corp., an energy company. Mr. Burke was a Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc., where he was
President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRocks U.S. funds and a director and chairman of
several offshore funds advised by BlackRock. As President and Chief Executive Officer of
BlackRocks U.S. funds, he was responsible for all accounting, tax and regulatory reporting
requirements for over 300 open-end and closed-end BlackRock funds. Previously, he was a Managing
Director, First Vice President and Vice President of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P.
(MLIM), where he worked for 16 years prior to MLIMs merger with BlackRock, and was instrumental
in the integration of BlackRocks and MLIMs operating infrastructure following the merger. While
at MLIM, he was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MLIMs U.S. funds and Head of Global
Operations and Client Services, where he was responsible for the development and maintenance of
MLIMs operating infrastructure across the Americas, Europe and the Pacific Rim. He also developed
controls for the MLIM U.S. funds financial statement certification process to comply with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, worked with fund auditors in connection with the funds annual audits
and established the department responsible for all tax issues impacting the MLIM U.S. funds.
Previously, Mr. Burke was Tax Manager at Deloitte & Touche, where he was designated as one of the
firms lead specialists in the investment company industry, and advised multinational corporations,
partnerships, universities and high net worth individuals in tax matters. Based on the foregoing,
Mr. Burke is experienced with accounting, financial and investment matters.
John P. Coblentz, Jr
. Mr. Coblentz has served as Trustee since 2003. Mr. Coblentz has been
designated as the Boards audit committee financial expert given his extensive accounting and
finance experience. Mr. Coblentz was a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP for 28 years. While at
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Mr. Coblentz was lead partner responsible for all auditing and accounting
services to a variety of large, global companies, a significant portion of which operated in the
financial services industry. Mr. Coblentz was also the national managing partner for the firms
risk management function, a member of the firms Management Committee and the first managing
partner of the firms Financial Advisory Services practice, which brought together the firms
mergers and acquisition services, forensic and dispute services, corporate finance, asset valuation
and reorganization businesses under one management structure. He served as a member of the firms
Board of Directors. Mr. Coblentz also currently serves as a Director and chairman of the finance
committee of Elderhostel, Inc., a not-for-profit organization. Based on the foregoing, Mr.
Coblentz is experienced with accounting, financial and investment matters.
Diana M. Daniels
. Ms. Daniels has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Daniels also serves as
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University. Ms. Daniels held several senior
management positions at The Washington Post Company and its subsidiaries, where she worked for 29
years. While at The Washington Post Company, Ms. Daniels served as Vice Present, General Counsel,
Secretary to the Board of Directors and Secretary to the Audit Committee. Previously, Ms. Daniels
served as Vice President and General Counsel of Newsweek, Inc. Ms. Daniels has also served as a
member of the Corporate Advisory Board of Standish Mellon Management Advisors and of the Legal
Advisory Board of New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Daniels is also a member of the American Law
Institute and of the Advisory Council of the Inter-American Press Association. Based on the
foregoing, Ms. Daniels is experienced with legal, financial and investment matters.
Joseph P. LoRusso
. Mr. LoRusso has served as Trustee since 2010. Mr. LoRusso held a number of
senior management positions at Fidelity Investments for over 15 years, where he was most recently
President of Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Co. (FIIS). As President of FIIS, Mr.
LoRusso oversaw the development, distribution and servicing of Fidelitys investment and retirement
products through various financial intermediaries. Previously, he served as President, Executive
Vice President and Senior Vice President of Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., where
he helped establish Fidelitys 401(k) business and built it into the largest in the U.S. In these
positions, he oversaw sales, marketing, implementation, client services, operations and technology.
Mr. LoRusso also served on Fidelitys Executive Management Committee. Prior to his experience with
Fidelity, he was Second Vice
B-39
President in the Investment and Pension Group of John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance, where he had
responsibility for developing and running the companys 401(k) business. Previously, he worked at
The Equitable (now a subsidiary of AXA Financial), where he was Product Manager of the companys
then-nascent 401(k) business, and at Arthur Andersen & Co. (now Accenture), as a Senior Consultant
within the firms consulting practice. Based on the foregoing, Mr. LoRusso is experienced with
financial and investment matters.
Jessica Palmer
. Ms. Palmer has served as Trustee since 2007. Ms. Palmer serves as a Director
of Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture, a not-for-profit organization. Ms. Palmer worked at
Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking (previously, Salomon Smith Barney/Salomon Brothers) for
over 20 years, where she was a Managing Director. While at Citigroup Corporate and Investment
Banking, Ms. Palmer was Head of Global Risk Management, Chair of the Global Commitment Committee,
Co-Chair of International Investment Banking (New York) and Head of Fixed Income Capital Markets.
Ms. Palmer was also a member of the Management Committee and Risk Management Operating Committee of
Citigroup, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Palmer was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs in its
international corporate finance department. Ms. Palmer was also Assistant Vice President of the
International Division at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Ms. Palmer was also a member of the Board of
Trustees of a private elementary and secondary school. Based on the foregoing, Ms. Palmer is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Richard P. Strubel
. Mr. Strubel has served as Trustee since 1987. Mr. Strubel also serves as
Chairman of the Northern Funds, a family of retail and institutional mutual funds managed by The
Northern Trust Company. He also serves on the board of Gildan Activewear Inc., which is listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Mr. Strubel was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Cardean
Learning Group (formerly known as Unext), and previously served as Unexts President and Chief
Operating Officer. Mr. Strubel was Managing Director of Tandem Partners, Inc., a privately-held
management services firm, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Microdot, Inc.
Previously, Mr. Strubel served as President of Northwest Industries, then a NYSE-listed company, a
conglomerate with various operating entities located around the country. Before joining Northwest,
Mr. Strubel was an associate and later managing principal of Fry Consultants, a management
consulting firm based in Chicago. Mr. Strubel is also a Trustee Emeritus of the University of
Chicago and is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Based on
the foregoing, Mr. Strubel is experienced with financial and investment matters.
James A. McNamara
. Mr. McNamara has served as Trustee and President of the Trust since 2007
and has served as an officer of the Trust since 2001. Mr. McNamara is a Managing Director at
Goldman Sachs. Mr. McNamara is currently head of Global Third Party Distribution at GSAM, where he
was previously head of U.S. Third Party Distribution. Prior to that role, Mr. McNamara served as
Director of Institutional Fund Sales. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. McNamara was Vice
President and Manager at Dreyfus Institutional Service Corporation. Based on the foregoing, Mr.
McNamara is experienced with financial and investment matters.
Alan A. Shuch
. Mr. Shuch has served as a Trustee since 1990. Mr. Shuch is an Advisory Director
to Goldman Sachs. Mr. Shuch serves on the Board of Trustees of a number of offshore funds managed
by GSAM. He serves on GSAMs Valuation and Brokerage Allocation Committees. Prior to retiring as a
general partner of Goldman Sachs in 1994, Mr. Shuch was president and chief operating officer of
GSAM which he founded in 1988. Mr. Shuch joined the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Division in 1976. He
was instrumental in building Goldman Sachs Corporate Bond Department and served as co-head of the
Global Fixed Income Sales and the High Yield Bond and Preferred Stock Departments. He headed the
Portfolio Restructuring and Fixed Income Quantitative and Credit Research Departments. Mr. Shuch
also served on a variety of firm-wide committees including the International Executive, New Product
and Strategic Planning Committees and was a member of the Stone Street/Bridge Street Private Equity
Board. Mr. Shuch serves on Whartons Graduate Executive Board. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Shuch is
experienced with financial and investment matters.
Officers of the Trust
Information
pertaining to the officers of the Trust as of February 29, 2012 is set forth
below:
B-40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers of the Trust
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
James
A. McNamara
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 49
|
|
Trustee and
President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
1998Present); Director of Institutional Fund Sales,
GSAM (April 1998December 2000); and Senior Vice
President and Manager, Dreyfus Institutional Service
Corporation (January 1993April 1998).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (November
2007Present); Senior Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (May 2007November 2007); and Vice
PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(20012007).
|
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|
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TrusteeGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (since
November 2007Present and December 2002May 2004).
|
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|
|
Scott McHugh
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 40
|
|
Treasurer and
Senior Vice
President
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (February 2007Present);
Assistant Treasurer of certain mutual funds administered
by DWS Scudder (20052007); and Director (2005-2007),
Vice President (2000-2005), Assistant Vice President
(1998-2000), Deutsche Asset Management or its
predecessor (19982007).
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|
|
TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (October
2009-Present); Senior Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (November 2009-Present); and
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(May 2007-October 2009).
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|
George F. Travers
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 44
|
|
Senior Vice
President and
Principal Financial
Officer
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
(2007-Present);
Managing Director, UBS Ag (2005-2007); and Partner,
Deloitte & Touche LLP (1990-2005, partner from
2000-2005)
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Senior Vice President and Principal Financial
OfficerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
Philip V. Giuca, Jr.
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 49
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 1997
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (May 1992Present).
Assistant Treasurer Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
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|
Peter Fortner
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 54
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 2000
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (July 2000Present);
Principal Financial Officer, Commerce Bank Mutual Fund
Complex (2008-Present); Associate, Prudential Insurance
Company of America (November 1985June 2000); and
Assistant Treasurer, certain closed-end funds
administered by Prudential (19992000).
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|
|
|
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-41
|
|
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|
|
Officers of the Trust
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|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
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|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Kenneth G. Curran
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 48
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (November 1998Present);
and Senior Tax Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (accountants)
(August 1995October 1998).
Assistant TreasurerGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
Jesse Cole
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 48
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 1998
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2006Present); Vice President, GSAM (June
1998Present); and Vice President, AIM Management
Group, Inc. (investment adviser) (April 1996June
1998).
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|
|
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
|
Kerry K. Daniels
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 49
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2000
|
|
Manager, Financial Control Shareholder Services,
Goldman Sachs (1986Present).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
|
Mark Hancock
71 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Age: 44
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (November
2005Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August
2000November 2005); Senior Vice PresidentDreyfus
Service Corp (19992000); and Vice PresidentDreyfus
Service Corp (19961999).
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey D. Matthes
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 42
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2004Present);
and Associate, Goldman Sachs (December 2002December
2004).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
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|
|
Carlos W. Samuels
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 37
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (December 2007Present);
Associate, Goldman Sachs (December 2005December 2007);
Analyst, Goldman Sachs (January 2004December 2005).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Miriam Cytryn
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 53
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2008
|
|
Vice President, GSAM (2008-Present); Vice President of
Divisional Management, Investment Management Division
(2007-2008); Vice President and Chief of Staff, GSAM US
Distribution (2003-2007); and Vice President of Employee
Relations, Goldman Sachs (1996-2003).
|
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|
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|
|
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Glen Casey
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2008
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2007-Present); and
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1997-2007).
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers of the Trust
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Mark Heaney
Christchurch Court
10-15 Newgate Street
London, EC1A 7HD, UK
Age: 44
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Executive Director, GSAM (May 2005 Present); Director
of Operations (UK and Ireland), Invesco Asset Management
(May 2004 March 2005); Global Head of Investment
Administration, Invesco Asset Management (September 2001
May 2004); Managing Director (Ireland), Invesco Asset
Management (March 2000 September 2001); Director of
Investment Administration, Invesco Asset Management
(December 1998 March 2000).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice PresidentGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter V. Bonanno
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 44
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Since 2003
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2006Present); Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs
(2002Present); Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(19992006); and Assistant General Counsel, Goldman
Sachs (1999-2002).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex
(2006Present); and Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs
Mutual Fund Complex (20032006).
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave Fishman
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (December
2001Present); and Vice President, Goldman Sachs
(1997December 2001).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny Burke
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 49
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2001
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (1987Present).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Djurasovic
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 41
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005Present); Associate
General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2006Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (20052006);
Senior Counsel, TIAA CREF (20042005); and Counsel,
TIAA CREF (20002004).
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia Meyer
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 38
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (September 2006Present);
Associate General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (2009-Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (September 2006
December 2008); and Associate, Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett LLP (20002006).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Farrell
30 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Age: 40
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2007
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005Present);
Associate, Goldman Sachs (20012005); and Analyst,
Goldman Sachs (19942005).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
B-43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers of the Trust
|
|
|
|
|
Term of Office and
|
|
|
|
|
Position(s) Held
|
|
Length of Time
|
|
|
Name, Age And Address
|
|
With the Trust
|
|
Served
1
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
|
Patrick T. OCallaghan
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 40
|
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2000-Present); Associate,
Goldman Sachs (1998-2000); Analyst, Goldman Sachs
(1995-1998).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James A. McCarthy
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 47
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2009
|
|
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs (2003-Present); Vice
President, Goldman Sachs (1996-2003); Portfolio Manager,
Goldman Sachs (1995-1996).
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrew Murphy
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 39
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2010
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (April 2009-Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (April
2009-Present); Attorney, Axiom Legal (2007-2009); Vice
President and Counsel, AllianceBernstein, L.P.
(2001-2007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Griffith
200 West Street
New York, NY 10282
Age: 37
|
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
Since 2011
|
|
Vice President, Goldman Sachs (August 2011Present);
Assistant General Counsel, Goldman Sachs (August
2011Present); Vice President and Counsel, Nomura
Holding America, Inc. (20102011); Associate, Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP (20052010).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistant SecretaryGoldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees or until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. Each officer holds comparable positions with certain other
companies of which Goldman Sachs, GSAM or an affiliate thereof is the investment adviser,
administrator and/or distributor.
|
Standing Board Committees
The
Audit Committee oversees the audit process and provides assistance to
the full Board of Trustees with
respect to fund accounting, tax compliance and financial statement matters. In performing its
responsibilities, the Audit Committee selects and recommends annually to the Board an independent
registered public accounting firm to audit the books and records of the Trust for the ensuing year,
and reviews with the firm the scope and results of each audit. All of the Independent Trustees
serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2011.
The Governance and Nominating Committee has been established to: (i) assist the Board in
matters involving mutual fund governance, which includes making recommendations to the Board with
respect to the effectiveness of the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in governing the
Fund and overseeing its management; (ii) select and nominate candidates for appointment or election
to serve as Independent Trustees; and (iii) advise the Board on ways to improve its effectiveness.
All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance
and Nominating Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. As
stated above, each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the occurrence of certain
events. In filling Board vacancies, the Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees
recommended by shareholders. Nominee recommendations should be submitted to the Trust at its
mailing address stated in the Funds Prospectus and should be directed to the attention of the
Goldman Sachs Trust Governance and Nominating Committee.
The Compliance Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the compliance
processes: (i) of the Fund; and (ii) insofar as they relate to services provided to the Fund, of
the Funds investment adviser, distributor, administrator (if any), and transfer agent, except that
compliance processes relating to the accounting and financial reporting processes, and certain
related matters, are overseen by the Audit Committee. In addition, the Compliance Committee
provides assistance to the full Board with respect to
B-44
compliance matters. The Compliance Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2011. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Compliance Committee.
The Valuation Committee is authorized to act for the Board in connection with the valuation of
portfolio securities held by the Fund in accordance with the Trusts Valuation Procedures. Messrs.
McNamara and Shuch serve on the Valuation Committee, together with certain employees of GSAM who
are not Trustees. The Valuation Committee met twelve times during the fiscal year ended December
31, 2011. The Valuation Committee reports periodically to the Board.
The Dividend Committee is authorized, subject to the ratification of Trustees who are not
members of the committee, to declare dividends and capital gain distributions consistent with the
Funds Prospectus. Messrs. McNamara and McHugh serve on the Dividend Committee. The Dividend
Committee met twelve times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
The Contract Review Committee has been established for the purpose of overseeing the processes
of the Board for reviewing and monitoring performance under the Funds investment management,
distribution, transfer agency, and certain other agreements with the Funds Investment Adviser and
its affiliates. The Contract Review Committee is also responsible for overseeing the Boards
processes for considering and reviewing performance under the operation of the Funds distribution,
service, shareholder administration and other plans, and any agreements related to the plans,
whether or not such plans and agreements are adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The
Contract Review Committee also provides appropriate assistance to the Board in connection with the
Boards approval, oversight and review of the Funds other service providers including, without
limitation, the Funds custodian/accounting agent, sub-transfer agents, professional (legal and
accounting) firms and printing firms. The Contract Review Committee met three times during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. All of the Independent Trustees serve on the Contract Review
Committee.
Risk Oversight
The Board is responsible for the oversight of the activities of the Fund, including oversight
of risk management. Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Fund is the responsibility of
GSAM or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to supervision by
GSAM. The risks of the Fund include, but are not limited to, investment risk, compliance risk,
operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Each of GSAM and the other
service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and
methods of risk management may differ from the Fund and each others in the setting of priorities,
the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result, the Board
recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to
develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects, and that some
risks are simply beyond the control of the Fund or GSAM, its affiliates or other service providers.
The Board effectuates its oversight role primarily through regular and special meetings of the
Board and Board committees. In certain cases, risk management issues are specifically addressed in
presentations and discussions. For example, GSAM has an independent dedicated Market Risk Group
that assists GSAM in managing investment risk. Representatives from the Market Risk Group
regularly meet with the Board to discuss their analysis and methodologies. In addition, investment
risk is discussed in the context of regular presentations to the Board on Fund strategy and
performance. Other types of risk are addressed as part of presentations on related topics (e.g.
compliance policies) or in the context of presentations focused specifically on one or more risks.
The Board also receives reports from GSAM management on operational risks, reputational risks and
counterparty risks relating to the Fund.
Board oversight of risk management is also performed by various Board committees. For
example, the Audit Committee meets with both the Funds independent registered public accounting
firm and GSAMs internal audit group to review risk controls in place that support the Fund as well
as test results, and the Compliance Committee meets with the CCO and representatives of GSAMs
compliance group to review testing results of the Funds compliance policies and procedures and
other compliance issues. Board oversight of risk is also performed as needed between meetings
through communications between GSAM and the Board. The Board may, at any time and in its
discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. The Boards oversight role does
not make the Board a guarantor of the Funds investments or activities.
B-45
Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares
The following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each
Trustee in the Fund and other portfolios of the Goldman Sachs Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and
Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund as of December 31, 2011.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities in All
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolios in Fund
|
|
|
Dollar Range of
|
|
Complex Overseen By
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
Equity Securities in the Fund
1
|
|
Trustee
2
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Donald C. Burke
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Joseph P. LoRusso
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
James A. McNamara
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over $100,000
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Includes the value of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund.
|
|
2
|
|
As of December 31, 2011, the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex consisted of the Trust,
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs
Municipal Opportunity Fund. As of December 31, 2011, the Trust
consisted of 90 portfolios,
the Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 11 portfolios, and the Goldman Sachs
Municipal Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public.
|
As
of February 29, 2012, the Fund had not commenced operations, and the Trustees
and Officers of the Trust as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial
interest of the Fund.
Board Compensation
Each Independent Trustee is compensated with a unitary annual fee for his or
her services as a Trustee of the Trust and as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee,
Compliance Committee, Contract Review Committee, and Audit Committee in lieu of each Independent
Trustee receiving an annual fee plus additional fees for each meeting attended. Under this new
compensation structure, the Chairman and audit committee financial expert will continue to
receive additional compensation for their services. The Independent Trustees are also reimbursed
for travel expenses incurred in connection with attending such meetings. The Trust may also pay the
incidental costs of a Trustee to attend training or other types of conferences relating to the
investment company industry.
The following tables set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of each
Trustee of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011:
Trustee Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
Pension or Retirement
|
|
Total Compensation
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Benefits Accrued as Part
|
|
From Fund Complex for the fiscal
|
Name of Trustee
|
|
from the Fund*
|
|
Of the Trusts Expenses
|
|
year 1/1/11 to 12/31/11 **
|
Ashok N. Bakhru
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
395,000
|
|
Donald C. Burke
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
255,000
|
|
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
295,000
|
|
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
255,000
|
|
Joseph P. LoRusso
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
255,000
|
|
James A. McNamara
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica Palmer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
255,000
|
|
Alan A. Shuch
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
255,000
|
|
B-46
|
|
|
*
|
|
The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI. Therefore, the Trustees
received no compensation from the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
|
|
**
|
|
Represents fees paid to each Trustee during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2011 from the
Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex. As of December 31, 2011, the Fund Complex consisted of the Trust, Goldman Sachs
Municipal Opportunity Fund, Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund and Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust. The Trust consisted of 90 portfolios (83 of which offered shares to the
public), and Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust consisted of 12 portfolios (11 of
which offered shares to the public). The Goldman Sachs Municipal
Opportunity Fund did not offer shares to the public.
|
|
1
|
|
Includes compensation as Board Chairman.
|
|
2
|
|
Includes compensation as audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
|
|
3
|
|
Messrs. McNamara and Shuch are Interested Trustees, and as such, receive no compensation from the Fund or the Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex.
|
Miscellaneous
Class A Shares of the Fund may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to Goldman
Sachs, its affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors or employees (including
retired employees and former partners), any partnership of which Goldman Sachs is a general
partner, any Trustee or officer of the Trust and designated family members of any of the above
individuals. These and the Funds other sales load waivers are due to the nature of the investors
and/or the reduced sales effort and expense that are needed to obtain such investments.
The Trust, its Investment Adviser and principal underwriter have adopted codes of ethics under
Rule 17j-1 of the Act that permit personnel subject to their particular codes of ethics to invest
in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
As stated in the Funds Prospectus, GSAM, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves as
Investment Adviser to the Fund. GSAM is a subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and an
affiliate of Goldman Sachs. See Service Providers in the Funds Prospectus for a description of
the Investment Advisers duties to the Fund.
Founded in 1869, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a financial holding company and a leading global
investment banking, securities and investment management firm. Goldman Sachs is a leader in
developing portfolio strategies and in many fields of investing and financing, participating in
financial markets worldwide and serving individuals, institutions, corporations and governments.
Goldman Sachs is also among the principal market sources for current and thorough information on
companies, industrial sectors, markets, economies and currencies, and trades and makes markets in a
wide range of equity and debt securities 24 hours a day. The firm is headquartered in New York with
offices in countries throughout the world. It has trading professionals throughout the United
States, as well as in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Seoul, Sao Paulo and other major financial centers
around the world. The active participation of Goldman Sachs in the worlds financial markets
enhances its ability to identify attractive investments. Goldman Sachs has agreed to permit the
Fund to use the name Goldman Sachs or a derivative thereof as part of the Funds name for as long
as the Funds Management Agreement is in effect.
The Investment Adviser is able to draw on the substantial research and market expertise of
Goldman Sachs, whose investment research effort is one of the largest in the industry. The Global Investment Research Department covers approximately 3,000 equity securities, 350 fixed
income securities and 25 stock markets in more than 50 economies and regions. The in depth
information and analyses generated by Goldman Sachs research analysts are available to the
Investment Adviser subject to Chinese Wall restrictions.
In addition, many of Goldman Sachs economists, securities analysts, portfolio strategists and
credit analysts have consistently been highly ranked in respected industry surveys conducted in the
United States and abroad. Goldman Sachs is also among the leading investment firms using
quantitative analytics (now used by a growing number of investors) to structure and evaluate
portfolios. For example, Goldman Sachs options evaluation model analyzes a securitys term,
coupon and call option, providing an overall analysis of the securitys value relative to its
interest risk.
In managing the Fund, the Investment Adviser has access to Goldman Sachs economics research.
The Economics Research Department based in London, conducts economic, financial and currency
markets research which analyzes economic trends and interest and exchange rate movements worldwide.
The Economics Research Department tracks factors such as inflation and money supply figures,
balance of trade figures, economic growth, commodity prices, monetary and fiscal policies, and
political events that can influence interest rates and currency trends. The success of Goldman
Sachs international research team has brought wide
recognition to its members. The team has earned top rankings in various external surveys such
as Pensions and Investments, Forbes and Dalbar. These rankings acknowledge the achievements of the
firms economists, strategists and equity analysts.
B-47
In allocating assets among foreign countries and currencies for the Fund, the Investment
Adviser will have access to the Global Asset Allocation Model. The model is based on the
observation that the prices of all financial assets, including foreign currencies, will adjust
until investors globally are comfortable holding the pool of outstanding assets. Using the model,
the Investment Adviser will estimate the total returns from each currency sector which are
consistent with the average investor holding a portfolio equal to the market capitalization of the
financial assets among those currency sectors. These estimated equilibrium returns are then
combined with the expectations of Goldman Sachs research professionals to produce an optimal
currency and asset allocation for the level of risk suitable for the Fund given its investment
objectives and criteria.
The fixed income research capabilities of Goldman Sachs available to GSAM include the Goldman
Sachs Fixed Income Research Department and the Credit Department. The Fixed Income Research
Department monitors developments in U.S. and foreign fixed income markets, assesses the outlooks
for various sectors of the markets and provides relative value comparisons, as well as analyzes
trading opportunities within and across market sectors. The Fixed Income Research Department is at
the forefront in developing and using computer-based tools for analyzing fixed income securities
and markets, developing new fixed income products and structuring portfolio strategies for
investment policy and tactical asset allocation decisions. The Credit Department tracks specific
governments, regions and industries and from time to time may review the credit quality of the
Funds investments.
The Management Agreement provides that GSAM, in its capacity as Investment Adviser, may render
similar services to others so long as the services under the Management Agreement are not impaired
thereby. The Funds Management Agreement was most recently approved by the Trustees of the Trust,
including a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to such agreement or
interested persons (as such term is defined in the Act) of any party thereto (the non-interested
Trustees), on October 20, 2011 with respect to the Fund. The management arrangements were last
approved by the initial sole shareholder of the Fund prior to the Funds commencement of
operations. A discussion regarding the Trustees basis for approving the Management Agreement in
2012 with respect to the Fund will be available in the Funds semi-annual report for the period
ended June 30, 2012.
The Management Agreement will remain in effect until June 30, 2012 and will continue in effect
with respect to the Fund from year to year thereafter provided such continuance is specifically
approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting
securities or a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of the
non-interested Trustees of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
The Management Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned (as defined in the Act).
The Management Agreement is also terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the
Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days written
notice to the Investment Adviser or by the Investment Adviser on 60 days written notice to the
Trust.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Adviser is entitled to receive a fee,
payable monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% on the first $1 billion, 0.90% on the next $1 billion,
0.86% on the next $3 billion, 0.84% on the next $3 billion, and 0.82% on any amount over $8
billion.
In addition to providing advisory services, under its Management Agreement, the Investment
Adviser also: (i) supervises all non-advisory operations of the Fund; (ii) provides personnel to
perform such executive, administrative and clerical services as are reasonably necessary to provide
effective administration of the Fund; (iii) arranges for at the Funds expense: (a) the preparation
of all required tax returns, (b) the preparation and submission of reports to existing
shareholders, (c) the periodic updating of prospectuses and statements of additional information
and (d) the preparation of reports to be filed with the SEC and other regulatory authorities; (iv)
maintains the Funds records; and (v) provides office space and all necessary office equipment and
services.
B-48
Portfolio Managers Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
The following table discloses accounts within each type of category listed below for which the
portfolio managers are jointly and primarily responsible for day to day portfolio management as of
December 31, 2011.
For each portfolio manager listed below, the total number of accounts managed is a reflection of
accounts within the strategy they oversee or manage, as well as accounts which participate in the
sector they manage. There are multiple portfolio managers involved with each account.
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Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Account Type
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Number of Accounts and Total Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance Based
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Registered
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Registered
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Name of
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Investment
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Other Pooled
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Other
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Investment
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Other Pooled
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Other
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Portfolio Manager
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Companies
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Investment Vehicles
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Accounts
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Companies
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Investment Vehicles
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Accounts
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Number of
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Assets
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Number of
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Assets
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Number of
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Assets
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Number of
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Assets
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Number of
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Assets
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Number of
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Assets
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Accounts
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Managed
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Accounts
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Managed
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Accounts
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Managed
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Accounts
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Managed
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Accounts
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Managed
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Accounts
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Managed
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Managed Futures
Strategy Fund
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Quantitative
Investment
Strategies Team
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William Fallon
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36
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$
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11.0
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59
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$
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5.8
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1216
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$
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30.8
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0
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$
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0.0
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5
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$
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0.4
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27
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$
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7.5
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Steve Jeneste
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36
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$
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11.0
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59
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$
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5.8
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1216
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$
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30.8
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0
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$
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0.0
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5
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$
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0.4
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27
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$
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7.5
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Unless otherwise noted, assets are preliminary, in billions of USD, as of December 31, 2011.
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Includes wrap as a single account.
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B-49
Conflicts of Interest
. The Investment Advisers portfolio managers are often
responsible for managing the Fund as well as other accounts, including proprietary accounts,
separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles, such as unregistered hedge funds. A
portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle which may have
materially higher fee arrangements than the Fund and may also have a performance-based fee. The
side-by-side management of these funds may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross
trading, the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades.
The Investment Adviser has a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair
and equitable manner. It seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and
aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. To this
end, the Investment Adviser has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage
the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management. In addition, the
Investment Adviser and the Fund have adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which
cross-trades may be effected between the Fund and another client account. The Investment Adviser
conducts periodic reviews of trades for consistency with these policies. For more information
about conflicts of interests that may arise in connection with the portfolio managers management
of the Funds investments and the investments of other accounts, see POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST Potential Conflicts Relating to the Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the
Fund and Other Goldman Sachs Accounts and Potential Conflicts Relating to Goldman Sachs and the
Investment Advisers Proprietary Activities and Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts.
Portfolio Managers Compensation
Compensation for portfolio managers of the Investment Adviser is comprised of a base salary
and discretionary variable compensation. The base salary is fixed from year to year. Year-end
discretionary variable compensation is primarily a function of each portfolio managers individual
performance and his or her contribution to overall team performance; the performance of the
Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs; the teams net revenues for the past year which in part is
derived from advisory fees, and for certain accounts, performance-based fees; and anticipated
compensation levels among competitor firms. Portfolio managers are rewarded, in part, for their
delivery of investment performance, measured on a pre-tax basis, which is reasonably expected to
meet or exceed the expectations of clients and fund shareholders in terms of: excess return over an
applicable benchmark, peer group ranking, risk management and factors specific to certain funds
such as yield or regional focus. Performance is judged over 1-, 3- and 5-year time horizons.
The benchmark for the Fund is the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR).
The discretionary variable compensation for portfolio managers is also significantly
influenced by: (1) effective participation in team research discussions and process; and (2)
management of risk in alignment with the targeted risk parameter and investment objective of the
Fund. Other factors may also be considered including: (1) general client/shareholder orientation
and (2) teamwork and leadership. Portfolio managers may receive equity-based awards as part of
their discretionary variable compensation.
Other CompensationIn addition to base salary and discretionary variable compensation, the
Investment Adviser has a number of additional benefits in place including (1) a 401k program that
enables employees to direct a percentage of their pretax salary and bonus income into a
tax-qualified retirement plan; and (2) investment opportunity programs in which certain
professionals may participate subject to certain eligibility requirements.
Portfolio Managers Portfolio Managers Ownership of Securities in the Fund
The Fund was not in operation prior to the date of this SAI. Consequently, the portfolio
managers own no securities issued by the Fund.
Distributor and Transfer Agent
Goldman Sachs, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, serves as the exclusive distributor
of shares of the Fund pursuant to a best efforts arrangement as provided by a distribution
agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund. Shares of the Fund are offered and sold on a
continuous basis by Goldman Sachs, acting as agent. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, after
the Prospectus and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders,
Goldman Sachs will pay for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with
the offering to prospective investors. Goldman Sachs will also pay for other supplementary sales
literature and advertising costs. Goldman Sachs may enter into sales agreements with certain
investment dealers and other financial service firms (the Authorized Dealers) to solicit
B-50
subscriptions for Class A, Class C, Class R and Class IR Shares of the Fund. Goldman Sachs
receives a portion of the sales charge imposed on the sale, in the case of Class A Shares, or
redemption in the case of Class C Shares (and in certain cases, Class A Shares), of Fund shares.
Dealer Reallowances.
Class A Shares of the Fund are sold subject to a front-end sales charge,
as described in the Prospectus and in this SAI in the section SHARES OF THE TRUST. Goldman Sachs
pays commissions to Authorized Dealers who sell Class A shares of the Fund in the form of a
reallowance of all or a portion of the sales charge paid on the purchase of those shares.
Goldman Sachs reallows 5.50% of the Funds offering price with respect to purchases under
$50,000.
Dealer allowances may be changed periodically. During special promotions, the entire sales
charge may be reallowed to Authorized Dealers. Authorized Dealers to whom substantially the entire
sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933.
Goldman Sachs, 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 serves as the Trusts transfer and
dividend disbursing agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, Goldman Sachs has
undertaken with the Trust with respect to the Fund to: (i) record the issuance, transfer and
redemption of shares, (ii) provide purchase and redemption confirmations and quarterly statements,
as well as certain other statements, (iii) provide certain information to the Trusts custodian and
the relevant sub-custodian in connection with redemptions, (iv) provide dividend crediting and
certain disbursing agent services, (v) maintain shareholder accounts, (vi) provide certain state
Blue Sky and other information, (vii) provide shareholders and certain regulatory authorities with
tax related information, (viii) respond to shareholder inquiries, and (ix) render certain other
miscellaneous services. For its transfer agency services, Goldman Sachs is entitled to receive a
transfer agency fee equal, on an annualized basis, to 0.04% of average daily net assets with
respect to the Funds Institutional Shares and 0.19% of average daily net assets with respect to
the Funds Class A, Class C, Class R and Class IR Shares. Goldman Sachs may pay to certain
intermediaries who perform transfer agent services to shareholders a networking or sub-transfer
agent fee. These payments will be made from the transfer agency fees noted above and in the Funds
Prospectus.
The Trusts distribution and transfer agency agreements each provide that Goldman Sachs may
render similar services to others so long as the services Goldman Sachs provides thereunder are not
impaired thereby. Such agreements also provide that the Trust will indemnify Goldman Sachs against
certain liabilities.
Expenses
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, is responsible for the payment of the Funds expenses. The
expenses include, without limitation, the fees payable to the Investment Adviser, the fees and
expenses of the Trusts custodian and subcustodians, transfer agent fees and expenses, pricing
service fees and expenses, brokerage fees and commissions, filing fees for the registration or
qualification of the Trusts shares under federal or state securities laws, expenses of the
organization of the Fund, fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in
investment company organizations including, but not limited to, the
Investment Company Institute, taxes, interest, costs of liability insurance, fidelity bonds or
indemnification, any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of, or claim for
damages or other relief asserted against, the Trust for violation of any law, legal, tax and
auditing fees and expenses (including the cost of legal and certain accounting services rendered by
employees of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates with respect to the Trust), expenses of preparing and
setting in type Prospectuses, SAIs, proxy material, reports and notices and the printing and
distributing of the same to the Trusts shareholders and regulatory authorities, any expenses
assumed by the Fund pursuant to its distribution and service plans, compensation and expenses of
its non-interested Trustees, the fees and expenses of pricing services, dividend expenses on
short sales and extraordinary expenses, if any, incurred by the Trust. Except for fees and
expenses under any distribution and service plan applicable to a particular class and transfer
agency fees and expenses, all Fund expenses are borne on a non-class specific basis.
The imposition of the Investment Advisers fees, as well as other operating expenses, will
have the effect of reducing the total return to investors. From time to time, the Investment
Adviser may waive receipt of is fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of the Fund, which
would have the effect of lowering the Funds overall expense ratio and increasing total return to
investors at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be.
The Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce or limit certain Other Expenses of
the Fund (excluding management fees, distribution and service fees, transfer agency fees and expenses, acquired fund
fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, litigation, indemnification, shareholder meeting and other extraordinary expenses exclusive of any
custody or transfer agent fee credit reductions) to an annual percentage rate of 0.104% of the Funds average daily net
assets through at least April 29, 2013.
B-51
Such reductions or limits, if any, are calculated monthly on a cumulative basis during the
Funds fiscal year and may be discontinued or modified by the Investment Adviser in its discretion
at any time.
Fees and expenses borne by the Fund relating to legal counsel, registering shares of the Fund,
holding meetings and communicating with shareholders may include an allocable portion of the cost
of maintaining an internal legal and compliance department. The Fund may also bear an allocable
portion of the Investment Advisers costs of performing certain accounting services not being
provided by the Funds custodian.
Custodian and Sub-Custodians
JPMorganChase, is the custodian of the Funds portfolio securities and cash. JPMorganChase
also maintains the Funds accounting records. JPMorganChase may appoint domestic and foreign
sub-custodians and use depositories from time to time to hold securities and other instruments
purchased by the Fund in foreign countries and to hold cash and currencies for the Fund.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110, is the Funds independent
registered public accounting firm. In addition to audit services, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
prepares the Funds federal and state tax returns and provides assistance on certain non-audit
matters.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
General Categories of Conflicts Associated with the Funds
Goldman Sachs (which, for purposes of this
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
section, shall mean,
collectively, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the Investment Adviser and their affiliates,
directors, partners, trustees, managers, members, officers and employees) is a worldwide,
full-service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services
organization and a major participant in global financial markets. As such, Goldman Sachs provides
a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base. In those and
other capacities, Goldman Sachs advises clients in all markets and transactions and purchases,
sells, holds and recommends a broad array of investments for its own accounts and for the accounts
of clients and of its personnel, through client accounts and the relationships and products it
sponsors, manages and advises (such Goldman Sachs or other client accounts (including the Funds),
relationships and products collectively, the Accounts). Goldman Sachs has direct and indirect
interests in the global fixed income, currency, commodity, equities, bank loan and other markets,
and the securities and issuers, in which the Funds may directly and indirectly invest. As a
result, Goldman Sachs activities and dealings, including on behalf of the Funds, may affect the
Funds in ways that may disadvantage or restrict the Funds and/or benefit Goldman Sachs or other
Accounts. For purposes of this
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
section, Funds shall mean,
collectively, the Funds and any of the other Goldman Sachs Funds.
The following are descriptions of certain conflicts and potential conflicts that may be associated
with the financial or other interests that the Investment Adviser and Goldman Sachs may have in
transactions effected by, with, and on behalf of the Funds. They are not, and are not intended to
be, a complete enumeration or explanation of all of the potential conflicts of interest that may
arise. Additional information about potential conflicts of interest regarding the Investment
Adviser and Goldman Sachs is set forth in the Investment Advisers Form ADV, which prospective
shareholders should review prior to purchasing Fund shares. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2 of the
Investment Advisers Form ADV is available on the SECs website (
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
).
A copy of Part 2 of the Investment Advisers Form ADV will be provided to shareholders or
prospective shareholders upon request.
B-52
Other Activities of Goldman Sachs, the Sale of Fund Shares and the Allocation of Investment
Opportunities
Sales Incentives and Related Conflicts Arising from Goldman Sachs Financial and
Other Relationships with Intermediaries
Goldman Sachs and its personnel, including employees of the Investment Adviser, may have
relationships (both involving and not involving the Funds, and including without limitation
placement, brokerage, advisory and board relationships) with distributors, consultants and others
who recommend, or engage in transactions with or for, the Funds. Such distributors, consultants
and other parties may receive compensation from Goldman Sachs or the Funds in connection with such
relationships. As a result of these relationships, distributors, consultants and other parties may
have conflicts that create incentives for them to promote the Funds.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs and the Funds may make payments to
authorized dealers and other financial intermediaries and to salespersons (collectively,
Intermediaries) from time to time to promote the Funds. These payments may be made out of
Goldman Sachs assets, or amounts payable to Goldman Sachs. These payments may create an incentive
for a particular Intermediary to highlight, feature or recommend the Funds.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities Among the Funds and Other Accounts
The Investment Adviser may manage or advise multiple Accounts (including Accounts in which Goldman
Sachs and its personnel have an interest) that have investment objectives that are similar to the
Funds and may seek to make investments or sell investments in the same securities or other
instruments, sectors or strategies as the Funds. This may create potential conflicts, particularly
in circumstances where the availability of such investment opportunities is limited (e.g., in local
and emerging markets, high yield securities, fixed income securities, regulated industries, small
capitalization and initial public offerings/new issues) or where the liquidity of such investment
opportunities is limited.
The Investment Adviser does not receive performance-based compensation in respect of its investment
management activities on behalf of the Funds, but may simultaneously manage Accounts for which the
Investment Adviser receives greater fees or other compensation (including performance-based fees or
allocations) than it receives in respect of the Funds. The simultaneous management of Accounts
that pay greater fees or other compensation and the Funds may create a conflict of interest as the
Investment Adviser may have an incentive to favor Accounts with the potential to receive greater
fees. For instance, the Investment Adviser may be faced with a conflict of interest when
allocating scarce investment opportunities given the possibly greater fees from Accounts that pay
performance-based fees. To address these types of conflicts, the Investment Adviser has adopted
policies and procedures under which it will allocate investment opportunities in a manner that it
believes is consistent with its obligations as an investment adviser. However, the amount, timing,
structuring or terms of an investment by the Funds may differ from, and performance may be lower
than, the investments and performance of other Accounts.
To address these potential conflicts, the Investment Adviser has developed allocation policies and
procedures that provide that personnel of the Investment Adviser making portfolio decisions for
Accounts will make purchase and sale decisions and allocate investment opportunities among Accounts
consistent with its fiduciary obligations. These policies and procedures may result in the pro
rata allocation of limited opportunities across eligible Accounts managed by a particular portfolio
management team, but in many other cases the allocations reflect numerous other factors as
described below. Accounts managed by different portfolio management teams are generally viewed
separately for allocation purposes. There will be cases where certain Accounts receive an
allocation of an investment opportunity when the Funds do not.
Personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in decision-making for Accounts may make allocation
related decisions for the Funds and other Accounts by reference to one or more factors, including
without limitation: the Accounts portfolio and its investment horizons, objectives, guidelines and
restrictions (including legal and regulatory restrictions); strategic fit and other portfolio
management considerations, including different desired levels of investment for different
strategies; the expected future capacity of the applicable Accounts; limits on the Investment
Advisers brokerage discretion; cash and liquidity considerations; and the availability of other
appropriate investment opportunities. Suitability considerations, reputational matters and other
considerations may also be considered. The application of these considerations may cause
differences in the performance of different Accounts that have similar strategies. In addition, in
some cases the Investment Adviser may make investment recommendations to Accounts where the
Accounts make the investment independently of the Investment Adviser, which may result in a
reduction in the availability of the investment opportunity for other Accounts (including the
Funds) irrespective of the Investment Advisers policies regarding allocation of investments.
Additional information about the Investment Advisers allocation policies is set forth in Item 6
(
PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENTSide-by-Side Management
) of the Investment
Advisers Form ADV.
B-53
The Investment Adviser may, from time to time, develop and implement new trading strategies or seek
to participate in new investment opportunities and trading strategies. These opportunities and
strategies may not be employed in all Accounts or pro rata among Accounts where they are employed,
even if the opportunity or strategy is consistent with the objectives of such Accounts.
During periods of unusual market conditions, the Investment Adviser may deviate from its normal
trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of
unlevered and/or long-only Accounts that are typically managed on a side-by-side basis with levered and/or
long-short Accounts.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, the Funds may or may not receive, but in any event will
have no rights with respect to, opportunities sourced by Goldman Sachs businesses and affiliates.
Such opportunities or any portion thereof may be offered to other Accounts, Goldman Sachs, all or
certain investors in the Funds, or such other persons or entities as determined by Goldman Sachs in
its sole discretion. The Funds will have no rights and will not receive any compensation related
to such opportunities.
Goldman Sachs Financial and Other Interests May Incentivize Goldman Sachs to Promote the
Sale of Fund Shares
Goldman Sachs and its personnel have interests in promoting sales of Fund shares, and the
compensation from such sales may be greater than the compensation relating to sales of interests in
other Accounts. Therefore, Goldman Sachs and its personnel may have a financial interest in
promoting Fund shares over interests in other Accounts.
Management of the Funds by the Investment Adviser
Potential Restrictions and Issues Relating to Information Held by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs has established certain information barriers and other policies to address the
sharing of information between different businesses within Goldman Sachs. As a result of
information barriers, the Investment Adviser generally will not have access, or will have limited
access, to information and personnel in other areas of Goldman Sachs, and generally will not be
able to manage the Funds with the benefit of information held by such other areas. Such other
areas, including without limitation, Goldman Sachs prime brokerage and administration businesses,
will have broad access to detailed information that is not available to the Investment Adviser,
including information in respect of markets and investments, which, if known to the Investment
Adviser, might cause the Investment Adviser to seek to dispose of, retain or increase interests in
investments held by the Funds or acquire certain positions on behalf of the Funds, or take other
actions. Goldman Sachs will be under no obligation or fiduciary or other duty to make any such
information available to the Investment Adviser or personnel of the Investment Adviser involved in
decision-making for the Funds. In addition, Goldman Sachs will not have any obligation to make
available any information regarding its trading activities, strategies or views, or the activities,
strategies or views used for other Accounts, for the benefit of the Funds.
Valuation of the Funds Investments
The Investment Adviser, while not the primary valuation agent of the Funds, performs certain
valuation services related to securities and assets in the Funds. The Investment Adviser values
securities and assets in the Funds according to its valuation policies and may value an identical
asset differently than another division or unit within Goldman Sachs or another Account values the
asset, including because such other division or unit or Account has information regarding valuation
techniques and models or other information that it does not share with the Investment Adviser.
This is particularly the case in respect of difficult-to-value assets. The Investment Adviser may
face a conflict with respect to such valuations as they affect the Investment Advisers
compensation.
B-54
Goldman Sachs and the Investment Advisers Activities on Behalf of Other Accounts
The Investment Advisers decisions and actions on behalf of the Funds may differ from those on
behalf of other Accounts. Advice given to, or investment or voting decisions made for, one or more
Accounts may compete with, affect, differ from, conflict with, or involve timing different from,
advice given to or investment decisions made for the Funds.
The extent of Goldman Sachs activities in the global financial markets may have potential adverse
effects on the Funds. Goldman Sachs, the clients it advises, and its personnel have interests in
and advise Accounts which have investment objectives or portfolios similar to or opposed to those
of the Funds, and/or which engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities
and other instruments as the Funds. Transactions by such Accounts may involve the same or related
securities or other instruments as those in which the Funds invest, and may negatively affect the
Funds or the prices or terms at which the Funds transactions may be effected. For example,
Accounts may engage in a strategy while the Funds are undertaking the same or a differing strategy,
any of which could directly or indirectly disadvantage the Funds. The Funds and Goldman Sachs may
also vote differently on or take or refrain from taking different actions with respect to the same
security, which may be disadvantageous to the Funds. Accounts may also invest in or extend credit
to different classes of securities or different parts of the capital structure of the same issuer
and classes of securities that are subordinate or senior to, securities in which the Funds invest.
As a result, Goldman Sachs and the Accounts may pursue or enforce rights or activities, or refrain
from pursuing or enforcing rights or activities, with respect to a particular issuer in which the
Funds have invested. The Funds could sustain losses during periods in which Goldman Sachs and
other Accounts achieve profits. The negative effects described above may be more pronounced in
connection with transactions in, or the Funds use of, small capitalization, emerging market,
distressed or less liquid strategies.
Goldman Sachs and its personnel may make investment decisions or recommendations, provide differing
investment views or have views with respect to research or valuations that are inconsistent with,
or adverse to, the interests and activities of the Funds. Research, analyses or viewpoints may be
available to clients or potential clients at different times. Goldman Sachs will not have any
obligation to make available to the Funds any research or analysis prior to its public
dissemination. The Investment Adviser is responsible for making investment decisions on behalf of
the Funds and such investment decisions can differ from investment decisions or recommendations by
Goldman Sachs on behalf of other Accounts. Goldman Sachs may, on behalf of other Accounts and in
accordance with its management of such Accounts, implement an investment decision or strategy ahead
of, or contemporaneously with, or behind similar investment decisions or strategies made for the
Funds. The relative timing for the implementation of investment decisions or strategies among
Accounts and the Funds may disadvantage the Funds. Certain factors, for example, market impact,
liquidity constraints, or other circumstances, could result in the Funds receiving less favorable
trading results or incurring increased costs associated with implementing such investment decisions
or strategies, or being otherwise disadvantaged.
Subject to applicable law, the Investment Adviser may cause the Funds to invest in securities, bank
loans or other obligations of companies affiliated with Goldman Sachs or in which Goldman Sachs or
Accounts have an equity, debt or other interest, or to engage in investment transactions that may
result in other Accounts being relieved of obligations or otherwise divesting of investments, which
may enhance the profitability of Goldman Sachs or other Accounts investments in and activities
with respect to such companies.
When the Investment Adviser wishes to place an order for different types of Accounts (including the
Funds) for which aggregation is not practicable, the Investment Adviser may use a trade sequencing
and rotation policy to determine which type of Account is to be traded first. Under this policy,
each portfolio management team may determine the length of its trade rotation period and the
sequencing schedule for different categories of clients within this period provided that the
trading periods and these sequencing schedules are designed to be fair and equitable over time.
The portfolio management teams currently base their trading periods and rotation schedules on the
relative amounts of assets managed for different client categories (e.g., unconstrained client
accounts, wrap program accounts, etc.) and, as a result, the Funds may trade behind other
Accounts. Within a given trading period, the sequencing schedule establishes when and how
frequently a given client category will trade first in the order of rotation. The Investment
Adviser may deviate from the predetermined sequencing schedule under certain circumstances, and the
Investment Advisers trade sequencing and rotation policy may be amended, modified or supplemented
at any time without prior notice to clients.
B-55
Investments in Goldman Sachs Funds
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Funds may invest in money market and other funds
sponsored, managed or advised by Goldman Sachs. In connection with any such investments, a Fund,
to the extent permitted by the Act, will pay all advisory, administrative or Rule 12b-1 fees
applicable to the investment, and fees to the Investment Adviser in its capacity as manager of the
Funds will not be reduced thereby (i.e., there could be double fees involved in making any such
investment because Goldman Sachs could receive fees with respect to both the management of the
Funds and such money market fund). In such circumstances, as well as in all other circumstances in
which Goldman Sachs receives any fees or other compensation in any form relating to the provision
of services, no accounting or repayment to the Funds will be required.
Goldman Sachs May In-Source or Outsource
Subject to applicable law, Goldman Sachs, including the Investment Adviser, may from time to time
and without notice to investors in-source or outsource certain processes or functions in connection
with a variety of services that it provides to the Funds in its administrative or other capacities.
Such in-sourcing or outsourcing may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
Distributions of Assets Other Than Cash
With respect to redemptions from the Funds, the Funds may, in certain circumstances, have
discretion to decide whether to permit or limit redemptions and whether to make distributions in
connection with redemptions in the form of securities or other assets, and in such case, the
composition of such distributions. In making such decisions, the Investment Adviser may have a
potentially conflicting division of loyalties and responsibilities with respect to redeeming
investors and remaining investors.
Goldman Sachs May Act in a Capacity Other Than Investment Adviser to the Funds
Principal and Cross Transactions
When permitted by applicable law and the Investment Advisers policies, the Investment Adviser,
acting on behalf of the Funds, may enter into transactions in securities and other instruments with
or through Goldman Sachs, and may cause the Funds to engage in transactions in which the Investment
Adviser acts as principal on its own behalf (principal transactions), advises both sides of a
transaction (cross transactions) and acts as broker for, and receives a commission from, the Funds
on one side of a transaction and a brokerage account on the other side of the transaction (agency
cross transactions). There may be potential conflicts of interest or regulatory issues relating to
these transactions which could limit the Investment Advisers decision to engage in these
transactions for the Funds. Goldman Sachs may have a potentially conflicting division of loyalties
and responsibilities to the parties in such transactions, and has developed policies and procedures
in relation to such transactions and conflicts. Any principal, cross or agency cross transactions
will be effected in accordance with fiduciary requirements and applicable law (which may include
disclosure and consent).
B-56
Goldman Sachs May Act in Multiple Commercial Capacities
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender
or advisor or in other commercial capacities for the Funds or issuers of securities held by the
Funds. Goldman Sachs may be entitled to compensation in connection with the provision of such
services, and the Funds will not be entitled to any such compensation. Goldman Sachs will have an
interest in obtaining fees and other compensation in connection with such services that are
favorable to Goldman Sachs, and may take commercial steps in its own interests in connection with
providing such services that negatively affect the Funds. For example, Goldman Sachs may require
repayment of all or part of a loan at any time and from time to time or cause the Funds to default,
liquidate its assets or redeem positions more rapidly (and at significantly lower prices) than
might otherwise be desirable. In addition, due to its
access to and knowledge of funds, markets and securities based on its other businesses, Goldman
Sachs may make decisions based on information or take (or refrain from taking) actions with respect
to interests in investments of the kind held directly or indirectly by the Funds in a manner that
may be adverse to the Funds. Goldman Sachs may also derive benefits from providing services to the
Funds, which may enhance Goldman Sachs relationships with various parties, facilitate additional
business development and enable Goldman Sachs to obtain additional business and generate additional
revenue.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs may create, write, sell, issue, invest in
or act as placement agent or distributor of derivative instruments related to the Funds, or with
respect to underlying securities or assets of the Funds, or which may be otherwise based on or seek
to replicate or hedge the performance of the Funds. Such derivative transactions, and any
associated hedging activity, may differ from and be adverse to the interests of the Funds.
Goldman Sachs may make loans or enter into asset-based or other credit facilities or similar
transactions that are secured by a clients assets or interests, including Fund shares, interests
in an Account or assets in which the Funds or an Account has an interest. In connection with its
rights as lender, Goldman Sachs may take actions that adversely affect the Account and which may in
turn adversely affect the Funds (e.g., a Fund holding the same type of security that is providing
the credit support to the borrower Account may be disadvantaged when the borrower Account
liquidates assets in response to an action taken by Goldman Sachs).
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B-57
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
Each of the Funds and Goldman Sachs, as each Funds Investment Adviser and distributor, has adopted
a Code of Ethics (the Code of Ethics) in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Act designed to
provide that personnel of the Investment Adviser, and certain additional Goldman Sachs personnel
who support the Investment Adviser, comply with applicable federal securities laws and place the
interests of clients first in conducting personal securities transactions. The Code of Ethics
imposes certain restrictions on securities transactions in the personal accounts of covered persons
to help avoid conflicts of interest. Subject to the limitations of the Code of Ethics, covered
persons may buy and sell securities or other investments for their personal accounts, including
investments in the Funds, and may also take positions that are the same as, different from, or made
at different times than, positions taken by the Funds. The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and
copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the
Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-942-8090. The Codes of Ethics are
also available on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies may
also be obtained after paying a duplicating fee by writing the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic request to
publicinfo@sec.gov. Additionally, Goldman Sachs personnel, including personnel of the Investment
Adviser, are subject to firm-wide policies and procedures regarding confidential and proprietary
information, information barriers, private investments, outside business activities and personal
trading.
Proxy Voting by the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients,
including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with its
fiduciary obligations to its clients. Notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures,
proxy voting decisions made by the Investment Adviser with respect to securities held by the Funds
may benefit the interests of Goldman Sachs and Accounts other than the Funds. For a more detailed
discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of this SAI entitled
PROXY VOTING
.
Potential Limitations and Restrictions on Investment Opportunities and Activities of the
Investment Adviser and the Funds
The Investment Adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities on behalf of the Funds
in various circumstances, including as a result of applicable regulatory requirements, information
held by Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs internal policies and/or potential reputational risk or
disadvantage to Accounts, including the Funds, and Goldman Sachs. As a result, the Investment
Adviser might not engage in transactions for the Funds in consideration of Goldman Sachs
activities outside the Funds (e.g., the Investment Adviser may refrain from making investments for
the Funds that would cause Goldman Sachs to exceed position limits or cause Goldman Sachs to have
additional disclosure obligations and may limit purchases or sales of securities in respect of
which Goldman Sachs is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution). In addition, the
Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information in effecting
purchases and sales in public securities transactions for the Funds. The Investment Adviser may
also limit the activities and transactions engaged in by the Funds, and may limit its exercise of
rights on behalf of or in respect of the Funds, for reputational or other reasons, including where
Goldman Sachs is providing (or may provide) advice or services to an entity involved in such
activity or transaction, where Goldman Sachs or an Account is or may be engaged in the same or a
related transaction to that being considered on behalf of the Funds, where Goldman Sachs or an
Account has an interest in an entity involved in such activity or transaction, or where such
activity or transaction or the exercise of such rights on behalf of or in respect of the Funds
could affect Goldman Sachs, the Investment Adviser or their activities.
B-58
Brokerage Transactions
The Investment Adviser may select broker-dealers (including affiliates of the Investment Adviser)
that furnish the Investment Adviser, the Funds, their affiliates and other Goldman Sachs personnel
with proprietary or third party brokerage and research services (collectively, brokerage and
research services) that provide, in the Investment Advisers view, appropriate assistance to the
Investment Adviser in the investment decision-making process. As a result, the Investment Adviser
may pay for such brokerage and research services with soft or commission dollars.
Brokerage and research services may be used to service the Funds and any or all other Accounts,
including in connection with Accounts other than those that pay commissions to the broker-dealer
relating to the brokerage and research service arrangements. As a result, the brokerage and
research services (including soft dollar benefits) may disproportionately benefit other Accounts
relative to the Funds based on the amount of commissions paid by the Funds in comparison to such
other Accounts. The Investment Adviser does not attempt to allocate soft dollar benefits
proportionately among clients or to track the benefits of brokerage and research services to the
commissions associated with a particular Account or group of Accounts.
Aggregation of Trades by the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser follows policies and procedures pursuant to which it may combine or
aggregate purchase or sale orders for the same security for multiple clients (sometimes called
bunching) (including Accounts that are proprietary to Goldman Sachs), so that the orders can be
executed at the same time. The Investment Adviser aggregates orders when the Investment Adviser
considers doing so appropriate and in the interests of its clients generally. In addition, under
certain circumstances trades for the Funds may be aggregated with Accounts that contain Goldman
Sachs assets.
When a bunched order is completely filled, the Investment Adviser generally will allocate the
securities purchased or proceeds of sale pro rata among the participating Accounts, based on the
purchase or sale order. If an order is filled at several different prices, through multiple trades
(whether at a particular broker-dealer or among multiple broker-dealers), generally all
participating Accounts will receive the average price and pay the average commission, however, this
may not always be the case (due to, e.g., odd lots, rounding, market practice or constraints
applicable to particular Accounts).
The Investment Adviser does not bunch or aggregate orders for different Funds, or net buy and sell
orders for the same Fund, if portfolio management decisions relating to the orders are made
separately, or if bunching, aggregating or netting is not appropriate or practicable from the
Investment Advisers operational or other perspective. The Investment Adviser may be able to
negotiate a better price and lower commission rate on aggregated trades than on trades for Funds
that are not aggregated, and incur lower transaction costs on netted trades than trades that are
not netted. Where transactions for a Fund are not aggregated with other orders, or not netted
against orders for the Fund, the Fund may not benefit from a better price and lower commission rate
or lower transaction cost.
B-59
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The Investment Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund,
the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of brokerage
commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected
through brokers who charge a
negotiated commission for their services. Increasingly, securities traded over-the-counter
also involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Orders may be directed to any broker
including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law, Goldman Sachs.
In the over-the-counter market, most securities have historically traded on a net basis with
dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price
of a security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are
purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally
referred to as the underwriters concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market
instruments may be purchased directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are
paid.
In placing orders for portfolio securities of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is generally
required to give primary consideration to obtaining the most favorable execution and net price
available. This means that the Investment Adviser will seek to execute each transaction at a price
and commission, if any, which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably
attainable in the circumstances. As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (Section 28(e)), the Fund may pay a broker which provides brokerage and research services to
the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would
have charged for effecting that transaction. Such practice is subject to a good faith
determination that such commission is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such
policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks
reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest
spread or commission available. Within the framework of this policy, the Investment Adviser will
consider research and investment services provided by brokers or dealers who effect or are parties
to portfolio transactions of the Fund, the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, or their other
clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily
provide to institutional investors and include research reports on particular industries and
companies; economic surveys and analyses; recommendations as to specific securities; research
products including quotation equipment and computer related programs; advice concerning the value
of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities and the
availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities; analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and
performance of accounts; services relating to effecting securities transactions and functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and other lawful and appropriate assistance
to the Investment Adviser in the performance of its decision-making responsibilities.
Such services are used by the Investment Adviser in connection with all of its investment
activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for
the Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers furnishing such
services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate
assets may be larger than those of the Funds, and the services furnished by such brokers may be
used by the Investment Adviser in providing management services for the Trust. The Investment
Adviser may also participate in so-called commission sharing arrangements and client commission
arrangements under which the Investment Adviser may execute transactions through a broker-dealer
and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions or commission credits to
another firm that provides research to the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser excludes
from use under these arrangements those products and services that are not fully eligible under
applicable law and regulatory interpretationseven as to the portion that would be eligible if
accounted for separately.
The research services received as part of commission sharing and client commission
arrangements will comply with Section 28(e) and may be subject to different legal requirements in
the jurisdictions in which the Investment Adviser does business. Participating in commission
sharing and client commission arrangements may enable the Investment Adviser to consolidate
payments for research through one or more channels using accumulated client commissions or credits
from transactions executed through a particular broker-dealer to obtain research provided by other
firms. Such arrangements also help to ensure the continued receipt of research services while
facilitating best execution in the trading process. The Investment Adviser believes such research
services are useful in its investment decision-making process by, among other things, ensuring
access to a variety of high quality research, access to individual analysts
and availability of resources that the Investment Adviser might not be provided access to
absent such arrangements.
B-60
On occasions when the Investment Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the
best interest of the Fund as well as its other customers (including any other fund or other
investment company or advisory account for which the Investment Adviser acts as investment adviser
or sub-investment adviser), the Investment Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and
regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be
sold or purchased for such other customers in order to obtain the best net price and most favorable
execution under the circumstances. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or
sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Investment Adviser
in the manner it considers to be equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the
Fund and such other customers. In some instances, this procedure may adversely affect the price
and size of the position obtainable for the Fund.
Commission rates in the U.S. are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker based on
the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the broker in the light of generally
prevailing rates. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are
reviewed periodically by the Trustees. The amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund may
vary substantially from year to year because of differences in shareholder purchase and redemption
activity, portfolio turnover rates and other factors.
The Fund may participate in a commission recapture program. Under the program, participating
broker-dealers rebate a percentage of commissions earned on Fund portfolio transactions to the Fund
from which the commissions were generated. The rebated commissions are expected to be treated as
realized capital gains of the Fund.
Subject to the above considerations, the Investment Adviser may use Goldman Sachs or an
affiliate as a broker for the Fund. In order for Goldman Sachs or an affiliate acting as agent to
effect any portfolio transactions for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration
received by Goldman Sachs or an affiliate must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions,
fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions
involving similar securities or futures contracts. Furthermore, the Trustees, including a majority
of the Trustees who are not interested Trustees, have adopted procedures which are reasonably
designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to Goldman Sachs are
consistent with the foregoing standard. Brokerage transactions with Goldman Sachs are also subject
to such fiduciary standards as may be imposed upon Goldman Sachs by applicable law.
NET ASSET VALUE
In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, the net asset value per share of each
class of the Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to each class
of the Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of that class. All securities are
valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. New York time), or such other time as the New York Stock
Exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) market may
officially close. The term Business Day means any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The New York Stock Exchange is closed
on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washingtons Birthday
(observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be
received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Trust reserves the right to
reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a net
asset value other than the Funds official closing net asset value that is subsequently adjusted,
and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing
net asset value. The Trust reserves the right to advance the time
by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as
otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may compute its net asset value as of any
time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.
Portfolio
securities of the Fund for which accurate market quotations are readily available are valued
as follows: (i) securities listed on any U.S. or foreign stock exchange or on the NASDAQ will be
valued at the last sale price, or the official closing price, on the exchange or system in which
they are principally traded on the valuation date. If there is no sale on the valuation day,
securities traded will be valued at the closing bid price, or if a closing bid price is not
available, at either the exchange or system-defined close price on the exchange or system in which
such securities are principally traded. If the relevant exchange or system has not closed by the
above-mentioned time for determining the Funds net asset value, the securities will be valued at
the last sale price or official closing price, or if not available at the bid price at the time the
net asset value is determined; (ii) over-the-counter securities not quoted on NASDAQ will be valued
at the last sale price on the valuation day or, if no
B-61
sale occurs, at the last bid price at the
time net asset value is determined; (iii) equity securities for which no prices are obtained under
sections (i) or (ii) including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or
a quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued at
their fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees; (iv) fixed income
securities, with the exception of short term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or
less, will be valued using evaluated prices provided by a recognized pricing service (e.g.,
Interactive Data Corp., Reuters, etc.) or dealer-supplied bid quotations; (v) fixed income securities
for which accurate market quotations are not readily available are valued by the Investment Adviser
based on valuation models that take into account various factors such as spread and daily yield
changes on government or other securities in the appropriate market (i.e. matrix pricing); (vi)
short term fixed income securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which the Trustees have determined to approximate fair value; and (vii) all other
instruments, including those for which a pricing service supplies no exchange quotation or a
quotation that is believed by the portfolio manager/trader to be inaccurate, will be valued in
accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
The value of all assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies will be converted into
U.S. dollar values at current exchange rates of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by
any major bank or pricing service. If such quotations are not available, the rate of exchange
will be determined in good faith by or under procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Generally, trading in securities on European, Asian and Far Eastern securities exchanges and
on over-the-counter markets in these regions is substantially completed at various times prior to
the close of business on each Business Day in New York (
i.e.
, a day on which the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading). In addition, European, Asian or Far Eastern securities trading
generally or in a particular country or countries may not take place on all Business Days in New
York. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days which are not Business
Days in New York and days on which the Funds net asset values are not calculated. Such
calculation does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
majority of the portfolio securities used in such calculation. For investments in foreign equity
securities, fair value prices are provided by an independent fair value service (if available),
in accordance with the fair value procedures approved by the Trustees, and are intended to reflect
more accurately the value of those securities at the time the Funds NAV is calculated. Fair value
prices are used because many foreign markets operate at times that do not coincide with those of
the major U.S. markets. Events that could affect the values of foreign portfolio holdings may
occur between the close of the foreign market and the time of determining the NAV, and would not
otherwise be reflected in the NAV. If the independent fair value service does not provide a fair
value for a particular security or if the value does not meet the established criteria for the
Fund, the most recent closing price for such a security on its principal exchange will generally be
its fair value on such date.
The Investment Adviser, consistent with its procedures and applicable regulatory guidance, may determine to make an adjustment to the previous closing prices of either domestic or
foreign securities in light of significant events, to reflect what it believes to be the fair value
of the securities at the time of determining the Funds NAV. Significant events that could affect a
large number of securities in a
particular market may include, but are not limited to: situations relating to one or more
single issuers in a market sector; significant fluctuations in U.S. or foreign markets; market
dislocations; market disruptions or market closings; equipment failures; natural or man-made
disasters or acts of God; armed conflicts; governmental actions or other developments; as well as
the same or similar events which may affect specific issuers or the securities markets even though
not tied directly to the securities markets. Other significant events that could relate to a single
issuer may include, but are not limited to: corporate actions such as reorganizations, mergers and
buy-outs; corporate announcements, including those relating to earnings, products and regulatory
news; significant litigation; low trading volume; trading limits; or suspensions.
The proceeds received by the Fund and each other series of the Trust from the issue or sale of
its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof,
subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to the Fund or particular
series and constitute the underlying assets of the Fund or series. The underlying assets of the
Fund will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in
respect of the Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses of the Trust
with respect to the Fund and the other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to
the net asset values of the Fund or series except where allocations of expenses can otherwise be
fairly made.
Errors and Corrective Actions
The Investment Adviser will report to the Board of Trustees any material breaches of
investment objective, policies or restrictions and any material errors in the calculation of the
NAV of the Fund or the processing of purchases and redemptions. Depending on the nature and size
of an error, corrective action may or may not be required. Corrective action may involve a
B-62
prospective correction of the NAV only, correction of any erroneous NAV and compensation to the
Fund, or correction of any erroneous NAV, compensation to the Fund and reprocessing of individual
shareholder transactions. The Trusts policies on errors and corrective action limit or restrict
when corrective action will be taken or when compensation to the Fund or its shareholders will be
paid, and not all mistakes will result in compensable errors. As a result, neither the Fund nor
its shareholders who purchase or redeem shares during periods in which errors accrue or occur may
be compensated in connection with the resolution of an error. Shareholders will generally not be
notified of the occurrence of a compensable error or the resolution thereof absent unusual
circumstances.
As discussed in more detail under NET ASSET VALUE, the Funds portfolio securities may be
priced based on quotations for those securities provided by pricing services. There can be no
guarantee that a quotation provided by a pricing service will be accurate.
SHARES OF THE TRUST
The Fund is a series of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust established by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997. The
fiscal year of the Fund is December 31.
The Trustees have authority under the Trusts Declaration of Trust to create and classify
shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. The
Trustees also have authority to classify and reclassify any series of shares into one or more
classes of shares. As of February 29, 2012, the Trustees have classified the shares of the Fund
into five classes: Institutional Shares, Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class R Shares and Class
IR Shares. Additional series and classes may be added in the future.
Each Class A Share, Class C Share, Institutional Share, Class R Share and Class IR Share of
the Fund represents a proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the applicable class of the
Fund. All expenses of the Fund are borne at the same rate by each class of shares, except that fees
under the Distribution and Service Plan (the Plan) are borne exclusively by Class A, Class C or
Class R Shares and transfer agency fees and expenses are borne at different rates by different
share classes. The Trustees may determine in the future that it is appropriate to allocate other
expenses differently among classes of shares and may do so to
the extent consistent with the rules of the SEC and positions of the IRS. Each class of shares
may have different minimum investment requirements and be entitled to different shareholder
services. With limited exceptions, shares of a class may only be exchanged for shares of the same
or an equivalent class of another fund. See Shareholder Guide in the Prospectus and OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS, EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS below.
In addition, the fees and expenses set forth below for each class may be subject to voluntary fee
waivers or reimbursements, as discussed more fully in the Funds Prospectus.
Class A Shares are sold with an initial sales charge of up to 5.5% through brokers and dealers
who are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (the FINRA) and certain other
financial service firms that have sales agreements with Goldman Sachs. Class A Shares bear the
cost of distribution fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
such Class A Shares of the Fund, although the distributor at its discretion may use compensation
for distribution services paid under the Distribution and Service Plan for personal and account
maintenance services and expenses so long as such total compensation under the Plan does not exceed
the maximum cap on service fees imposed by FINRA.
Class C Shares of the Fund are sold subject to a CDSC of up to 1.0% through brokers and
dealers who are members of FINRA and certain other financial services firms that have sales
arrangements with Goldman Sachs. Class C Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at
the aggregate rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
Class C Shares also bear the cost of service fees at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average
daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
Class R and Class IR Shares are sold at net asset value without a sales charge. As noted in
the Prospectus, Class R and Class IR Shares are not sold directly to the public. Instead, Class R
and Class IR Shares generally are available only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored
403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and
non-qualified deferred compensation plans (the Retirement Plans). Class R and Class IR Shares
are also generally available only to Retirement Plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held
on the books of the Fund. Class IR Shares may also be sold to accounts established under a
fee-based program that is sponsored and maintained by a registered broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary that is approved by Goldman Sachs (Eligible Fee-Based Program). Class R and Class IR
Shares are not available to traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), SEPs,
SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and individual 403(b) plans; except that Class IR Shares are available to such
accounts or plans to the extent they are purchased through an Eligible Fee-Based Program.
Participants in a Retirement Plan should contact their Retirement Plan service provider for
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information regarding purchases, sales and exchanges of Class R and Class IR Shares. Class R
Shares bear the cost of distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees at the aggregate rate of up to 0.50% of the
average daily net assets attributable to Class R Shares.
Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge for accounts
in the name of an investor or institution that is not compensated by the Fund under a Plan for
services provided to the institutions customers.
It is possible that an institution or its affiliate may offer different classes of shares
(
i.e.
, Class A, Class C, Class R, Class IR, or Institutional Shares) to its customers and thus
receive different compensation with respect to different classes of shares of the Fund. Dividends
paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same
manner, at the same time on the same day and will be the same amount, except for differences caused
by the fact that the respective transfer agency and Plan fees relating to a particular class will
be borne exclusively by that class. Similarly, the net asset value per share may differ depending
upon the class of shares purchased.
Certain aspects of the shares may be altered after advance notice to shareholders if it is
deemed necessary in order to satisfy certain tax regulatory requirements.
When issued for the consideration described in the Funds Prospectus, shares are fully paid
and non-assessable. The Trustees may, however, cause shareholders, or shareholders of a particular
series or class,
to pay certain custodian, transfer agency, servicing or similar charges by setting off the
same against declared but unpaid dividends or by reducing share ownership (or by both means). In
the event of liquidation, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the
applicable class of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. All shares are
freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. The Trustees may
require Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason under terms set by the Trustees.
The Act requires that where more than one series of shares exists, each series must be
preferred over all other series in respect of assets specifically allocated to such series. In
addition, Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the
provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding
voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been
effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
each series affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a series shall be deemed to
be affected by a matter unless the interests of each series in the matter are substantially
identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such series. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts
the selection of independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts
and the election of trustees from the separate voting requirements of Rule 18f-2.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold
such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each share of the Trust will be
entitled, as determined by the Trustees without the vote or consent of the shareholders, either to
one vote for each share or to one vote for each dollar of net asset value represented by such share
on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees (this method of voting
being referred to as dollar based voting). However, to the extent required by the Act or
otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from
each other. Shareholders of the Trust do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of
Trustees. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, may be called by
the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 10% or more of the shares
entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for
the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office
at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights
only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such
other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.
The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of Trustees, officers, employees and
agents of the Trust unless the recipient is adjudicated (i) to be liable by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of such persons office or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that such persons actions were in the best interest of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust
provides that, if any shareholder or former shareholder of any series is held personally liable
solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder and not because of the shareholders acts or
omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or the shareholders
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives or general successors) shall be held
harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust,
acting on behalf of any affected series, must, upon request by such shareholder, assume the defense
of any claim made against such shareholder for any act or obligation of the series and satisfy any
judgment thereon from the assets of the series.
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The Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class
of the Trust (i) by a majority of the affected shareholders at a meeting of shareholders of the
Trust, series or class; or (ii) by a majority of the Trustees without shareholder approval if the
Trustees determine, in their sole discretion, that such action is in the best interest of the
Trust, such series, such class or their respective shareholders. The Trustees may consider such
factors as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate in making such determination, including
(i) the inability of the Trust or any series or class to maintain its assets at an appropriate
size; (ii) changes in laws or regulations governing the Trust, series or class or affecting assets
of the type in which it invests; or (iii) economic developments or trends having a significant
adverse impact on the business or operations of the Trust or series.
The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the
Trust, or any series thereof, to merge or consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or
other organization or sell or exchange all or substantially all of the property belonging to the
Trust or any series thereof. In addition, the Trustees, without shareholder approval, may adopt a
master-feeder structure by investing all or a portion of the assets of a series of the Trust in the
securities of another open-end investment company with substantially the same investment objective,
restrictions and policies.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust without a
shareholder vote. However, shareholders of the Trust have the right to vote on any amendment (i)
that would adversely affect the voting rights of shareholders; (ii) that is required by law to be
approved by shareholders; (iii) that would amend the provisions of the Declaration of Trust
regarding amendments and supplements thereto; or (iv) that the Trustees determine to submit to
shareholders.
The Trustees may appoint separate Trustees with respect to one or more series or classes of
the Trusts shares (the Series Trustees). Series Trustees may, but are not required to, serve as
Trustees of the Trust or any other series or class of the Trust. To the extent provided by the
Trustees in the appointment of Series Trustees, the Series Trustees may have, to the exclusion of
any other Trustees of the Trust, all the powers and authorities of Trustees under the Declaration
of Trust with respect to such Series or Class, but may have no power or authority with respect to
any other series or class.
Principal Holders of Securities
The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, and the Trust
does not know of any persons who own of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of the
Funds shares as of that date.
Shareholder and Trustee Liability
Under Delaware Law, the shareholders of the Fund are not generally subject to liability for
the debts or obligations of the Trust. Similarly, Delaware law provides that a series of the Trust
will not be liable for the debts or obligations of any other series of the Trust. However, no
similar statutory or other authority limiting statutory trust shareholder liability exists in other
states. As a result, to the extent that a Delaware statutory trust or a shareholder is subject to
the jurisdiction of courts of such other states, the courts may not apply Delaware law and may
thereby subject the Delaware statutory trust shareholders to liability. To guard against this
risk, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of a series. Notice of such disclaimer will normally be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by a series of the Trust. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification by the relevant series for all loss suffered by a shareholder as
a result of an obligation of the series. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a series
shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or
obligation of the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. In view of the above, the risk of
personal liability of shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust is remote.
In addition to the requirements under Delaware law, the Declaration of Trust provides that
shareholders of a series may bring a derivative action on behalf of the series only if the
following conditions are met: (a) shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under
Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the series, or 10% of the
outstanding shares of the class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the
Trustees to commence such action; and (b) the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time
to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees will
be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and may
require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the series for the
expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of
judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee
against liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject
by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
B-65
TAXATION
The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax considerations generally
affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of the Fund that are not
described in the Prospectus. The discussions below and in the Prospectus are only summaries and
are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning. They do not address special tax rules
applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies and
financial institutions. Each prospective shareholder is urged to consult his or her own tax
adviser with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of
investing in the Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on
February 29, 2012, which are
subject to change.
Fund Taxation
The
Fund is treated as a separate taxable entity and has elected to be treated and intend to
qualify for each taxable year as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of Subtitle A,
Chapter 1, of the Code. To qualify as such, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements relating to
the sources of its income, diversification of its assets and distribution of its income to
shareholders. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to federal income or
excise tax on any net investment income and net realized capital gains that are distributed to its
shareholders in accordance with certain timing requirements of the Code.
In
the future, the Fund may gain commodity exposure through investment
in commodity index-linked structured notes and/or in a subsidiary that
invests in commodity-linked instruments. Although the IRS has issued numerous favorable private
letter rulings concluding that income from certain commodity
index-linked structured notes and investments through a subsidiary is qualifying income for purposes of
the annual 90% qualifying gross income test applicable to registered investment companies, such
rulings can be relied on only by the taxpayers to whom they are
issued. The IRS currently is reconsidering whether
and how a registered investment company should be permitted to gain commodity exposure. Future IRS
guidance (or possibly legislation or other regulatory guidance) could limit the ability of the Fund
to gain commodity exposure. Such investments would be made only to the extent permissible
under applicable law then in effect, or in reliance upon a private
letter ruling from the IRS, or other applicable guidance or relief
provided by the IRS or other agencies. The tax treatment of commodity-linked
notes, other commodity-linked derivatives and/or investments through
a subsidiary may also be adversely affected by future legislation,
Treasury regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could
affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Funds taxable
income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.
There are certain tax requirements that the Fund must follow if it is to avoid federal
taxation. In its efforts to adhere to these requirements, the Fund may have to limit its
investment activities in some types of instruments. Qualification as a regulated investment
company under the Code requires, among other things, that (i) the Fund derive at least 90% of its
gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities
loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies, net
income from qualified publicly traded partnerships or other income (including but not limited to
gains from options, futures, and forward contracts) derived with respect to the Funds business of
investing in stocks, securities or currencies (the 90% gross income test); and (ii) the Fund
diversify its holdings so that, in general, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (a)
at least 50% of the fair market value of the Funds total (gross) assets is comprised of cash, cash
items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the
value of the Funds total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total (gross) assets is invested in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities and securities of other
regulated investment companies), two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the
same, similar or related trades or businesses, or certain publicly traded partnerships.
For purposes of the 90% gross income test, income that the Fund earns from equity interests in
certain entities that are not treated as corporations or as qualified publicly traded partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes (
e.g.
, partnerships or trusts) will generally have the same
character for the Fund as in the hands of such an entity; consequently, the Fund may be required to
limit its equity investments in any such entities that earn fee income, rental income, or other
nonqualifying income. In addition, future Treasury regulations could provide that qualifying
income under the 90% gross income test will not include gains from foreign currency transactions
that are not directly related to the Funds principal business of investing in stock or securities
or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. Using foreign currency positions or
entering into foreign currency options, futures and forward or swap contracts for purposes other
than hedging currency risk with respect to securities in the Funds portfolio or anticipated to be
acquired may not qualify as directly-related under these tests.
The Fund generally intends to distribute for each taxable year to its shareholders all or
substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net capital gain and any tax-exempt
interest. Exchange control or other foreign laws, regulations or practices may restrict
repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors
such as
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the Fund and may therefore make it more difficult for the Fund to satisfy the distribution
requirements described above, as well as the excise tax distribution requirements described below.
The Fund generally expects, however, to be able to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy those
requirements from new investors, the sale of securities or other sources. If for any taxable year
the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be taxed on all of its taxable
income and net capital gain at corporate rates, and its distributions to shareholders will
generally be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings
and profits.
If the Fund retains any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as
undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (1) if subject to U.S. federal
income tax on long-term capital gains, will be required to include in income for federal income tax
purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of that undistributed amount, and (2) will be
entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund against their U.S.
federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds those
liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder
of the Fund will be increased by the amount of any such undistributed net capital gain included in
the shareholders gross income and decreased by the federal income tax paid by the Fund on that
amount of net capital gain.
To avoid a 4% federal excise tax, the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed)
by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for the calendar
year, at least 98.2% of the excess of its capital gains over its capital losses (generally computed
on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year), and all taxable ordinary
income and the excess of capital gains over capital losses for all previous years that were not
distributed for those years and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For federal income
tax purposes, dividends declared by the Fund in October, November or December to shareholders of
record on a specified date in such a month and paid during January of the following year are
taxable to such shareholders, and deductible by the Fund, as if paid on December 31 of the year
declared. The Fund anticipates that it will generally make timely distributions of income and
capital gains in compliance with these requirements so that it will generally not be required to
pay the excise tax.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is generally permitted to carry forward,
indefinitely, a net capital loss in any taxable year to offset its own capital gains, if any,
during the years following the year of the loss. Capital loss carryforwards arising on taxable
years of a Fund beginning after December 22, 2010 will generally be able to be carried forward
indefinitely. These amounts are available to be carried forward to offset future capital gains to
the extent permitted by the Code and applicable tax regulations.
Gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or other termination of options and futures contracts,
options thereon and certain forward contracts (except certain foreign currency options, forward
contracts and futures contracts) will generally be treated as capital gains and losses. Certain of
the futures contracts, forward contracts and options held by the Fund will be required to be
marked-to-market for federal tax purposes that is, treated as having been sold at their fair
market value on the last day of the Funds taxable year (or, for excise tax purposes, on the last
day of the relevant period). These provisions may require the Fund to recognize income or gains
without a concurrent receipt of cash. Any gain or loss recognized on actual or deemed sales of
these futures contracts, forward contracts, or options will (except for certain foreign currency
options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss
and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. As a result of certain hedging transactions entered into
by the Fund, it may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, forward
contracts, and options or underlying securities or foreign currencies to the extent of any
unrecognized gains on related positions held by the Fund, and the characterization of gains or
losses as long-term or short-term may be changed. The tax provisions described in this paragraph
may affect the amount, timing and character of the Funds distributions to shareholders. The
application of certain requirements for qualification as a regulated investment company and the
application of certain other tax rules may be unclear in some respects in connection with certain
investment practices such as dollar rolls, or investments in certain derivatives, including
interest rate swaps, floors, caps and collars, currency swaps, total return swaps, mortgage swaps,
index swaps, forward contracts and structured notes. As a result, the Fund may therefore be
required to limit its investments in such transactions and it is also possible that the IRS may not
agree with the Funds tax treatment of such transactions. In addition, the tax treatment of
derivatives, and certain other investments, may be affected by future legislation, Treasury
Regulations and guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the timing, character and amount of
the Funds income and gains and distributions to shareholders. Certain tax elections may be
available to the Fund to mitigate some of the unfavorable consequences described in this paragraph.
Section 988 of the Code contains special tax rules applicable to certain foreign currency
transactions and instruments, which may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or
loss recognized by the Fund. Under these rules, foreign exchange gain or loss realized with respect
to foreign currencies and certain futures and options thereon, foreign currency-denominated debt
instruments, foreign currency forward contracts, and foreign currency-denominated payables and
receivables will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss, although in some cases elections
may be available that would alter this
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treatment. If a net foreign exchange loss treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 of the
Code were to exceed the Funds investment company taxable income (computed without regard to that
loss) for a taxable year, the resulting loss would not be deductible by the Fund or its
shareholders in future years. Net loss, if any, from certain foreign currency transactions or
instruments could exceed net investment income otherwise calculated for accounting purposes, with
the result being either no dividends being paid or a portion of the Funds dividends being treated
as a return of capital for tax purposes, nontaxable to the extent of a shareholders tax basis in
his shares and, once such basis is exhausted, generally giving rise to capital gains.
The Funds investments in certain structured securities or other securities bearing original
issue discount or, if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently, market
discount, as well as any marked-to-market gain from certain options, futures or forward
contracts, as described above, will in many cases cause the Fund to realize income or gain before
the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities or contracts. For the Fund to obtain
cash to enable the Fund to distribute any such income or gain, to maintain its qualification as a
regulated investment company and to avoid federal income and excise taxes, the Fund may be required
to liquidate portfolio investments sooner than it might otherwise have done.
Investments in lower-rated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the
extent actual or anticipated defaults may be more likely with respect to those kinds of securities.
Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when an investor in such securities may
cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount; when and to what extent
deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities; how payments received on obligations
in default should be allocated between principal and income; and whether exchanges of debt
obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will generally need to be
addressed by the Fund, in the event it invests in such securities, so as to seek to eliminate or to
minimize any adverse tax consequences.
The Fund anticipates that it may be subject to foreign taxes on its income (possibly
including, in some cases, capital gains) from foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain
countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. The Fund will
not be eligible to elect to pass through foreign taxes to the shareholders but will be entitled to
deduct such taxes in computing the amounts they are required to distribute.
If the Fund acquires stock (including, under proposed regulations, an option to acquire stock
such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations that receive at least
75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents,
royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such
passive income (passive foreign investment companies), the Fund could be subject to federal
income tax and additional interest charges on excess distributions received from such companies
or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by
the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund will not be able to pass through to
its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. In some cases, elections may be available
that will ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but those elections will require the Fund to
include each year certain amounts as income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements
described above) without a concurrent receipt of cash. The Fund may attempt to limit and/or to
manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability or
maximize its return from these investments.
If the Fund invests in certain REITs or in REMIC residual interests, a portion of the Funds
income may be classified as excess inclusion income. A shareholder that is otherwise not subject
to tax may be taxable on their share of any such excess inclusion income as unrelated business
taxable income. In addition, tax may be imposed on the Fund on the portion of any excess inclusion
income allocable to any shareholders that are classified as disqualified organizations.
Medicare Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be
imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain
distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions
of Fund shares) of US individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons modified
adjusted gross income (in the case of an individual) or adjusted gross income (in the case of an
estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
The discussion above relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as it applies to U.S.
persons subject to tax under such law.
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Distributions to shareholders who, as to the United States, are not
U.S. persons, (
i.e.
, are nonresident aliens, foreign corporations, fiduciaries of foreign trusts
or estates, foreign partnerships or other non-U.S. investors) generally will be subject to U.S.
federal withholding tax at the rate of 30% on distributions treated as ordinary income unless the
tax is reduced or eliminated pursuant to a tax treaty or the distributions are effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business of the shareholder; but distributions of net capital gain
(the excess of any net long-term capital gains over any net short-term capital losses) including
amounts retained by the Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains, to such a
non-U.S. shareholder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the
distributions are effectively connected with the shareholders trade or business in the United
States or, in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is
present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other
conditions are met.
Any capital gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of the
Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless the gain is effectively
connected with the shareholders trade or business in the U.S., or in the case of a shareholder who
is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more
during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met.
Non-U.S. persons who fail to furnish the Fund with the proper IRS Form W-8 (
i.e.
, W-8BEN,
W-8ECI, W-8IMY or W-8EXP), or an acceptable substitute, may be subject to backup withholding at a
28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2012) rate on dividends (including capital gain
dividends) and on the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges. Also, non-U.S. shareholders of the
Fund may be subject to U.S. estate tax with respect to their Fund shares.
Effective
January 1, 2013, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on
payments of dividends and redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply
with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of
the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide
additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consult his or her tax adviser regarding the
U.S. and non-U.S. tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from,
the Fund.
State and Local
The Fund may be subject to state or local taxes in jurisdictions in which the Fund is deemed
to be doing business. In addition, in those states or localities that impose income taxes, the
treatment of the Fund and its shareholders under those jurisdictions tax laws may differ from the
treatment under federal income tax laws, and investment in the Fund may have tax consequences for
shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Funds portfolio
securities. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers concerning state and local tax
matters.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A copy of the Funds Annual Report (when available) may be obtained upon request and without
charge by writing Goldman, Sachs & Co., P.O. Box 06050, Chicago, Illinois 60606 or by calling
Goldman, Sachs & Co., at the telephone number on the back cover of the Funds Prospectus. The
Annual Report for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2012 will become available to investors in
February 2013.
PROXY VOTING
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to the
Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (the Policy) for
the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which the Investment Adviser has voting
discretion, including the Fund. Under the Policy, the Investment Advisers guiding principles in
performing proxy voting are to make decisions that: (i) favor proposals that in the Investment
Advisers view tend to maximize a companys shareholder value; and (ii) are not influenced by
conflicts of interest. These principles reflect the
B-69
Investment Advisers belief that sound corporate governance will create a framework within
which a company can be managed in the interests of its shareholders.
The principles and positions reflected in the Policy are designed to guide the Investment
Adviser in voting proxies, and not necessarily in making investment decisions. The Investment
Adviser periodically reviews the Policy to ensure that it continues to be consistent with the
Investment Advisers guiding principles.
Public Equity Investments
.
To implement these guiding principles for investments in
publicly-traded equities, the Investment Adviser has developed customized proxy voting guidelines
(the Guidelines). The Guidelines embody the positions and factors the Investment Adviser
generally considers important in casting proxy votes. They address a wide variety of individual
topics, including, among other matters, shareholder voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board
structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations,
mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and various shareholder proposals. Attached as
Appendix B is a summary of the Guidelines.
The Investment Adviser has retained a third-party proxy voting service (Proxy Service) to
assist in the implementation of certain proxy voting-related functions. Among its
responsibilities, the Proxy Service prepares a written analysis and recommendation (a
Recommendation) of each proxy vote that reflects the Proxy Services application of the Guidelines to the particular proxy issues. While it is the Investment Advisers policy generally
to follow the Guidelines and recommendations, the Investment Advisers portfolio management teams
(Portfolio Management Teams) may on certain proxy votes seek approval to diverge from the
Guidelines or a recommendation by following an override process. Such decisions are subject to a
review and approval process, including a determination that the decision is not influenced by any
conflict of interest. In forming their views on particular matters, the Portfolio Management Teams
are also permitted to consider applicable regional rules and practices, including codes of conduct
and other guides, regarding proxy voting, in addition to the Guidelines and recommendations.
The Proxy Service assists in the implementation and administration of the proxy voting
function. The Proxy Service assists the Investment Adviser in the proxy voting process by
providing operational, recordkeeping and reporting services. In addition, the Proxy Service
produces Recommendations as previously discussed and provides assistance in the development and
maintenance of the GSAM Guidelines.
GSAM conducts periodic due diligence meetings with the Proxy Service which include, but are
not limited to, a review of the Proxy Services general organizational structure, new developments
with respect to research and technology, work flow improvements and internal due diligence with
respect to conflicts of interest. The Investment Adviser may hire other service providers to
replace or supplement the Proxy Service with respect to any of the services the Investment Adviser
currently receives from the Proxy Service.
The Investment Adviser has implemented procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest
from influencing its proxy voting decisions. These procedures include the Investment Advisers use
of the Guidelines and recommendations and the override process, and the establishment of
information barriers between the Investment Adviser and other businesses within The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc.
Fixed Income and Private Investments
.
Voting decisions with respect to fixed income securities
and the securities of privately held issuers generally will be made by the Funds managers based on
their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the
most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available on or through the Funds website at
http://www.goldmansachsfunds.com and on the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov.
PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES
The Investment Adviser, distributor and/or their affiliates may make payments to Authorized
Dealers, Authorized Institutions and other financial intermediaries (Intermediaries) from time to
time to promote the sale, distribution and/or servicing of shares of the Fund. These payments
(Additional Payments) are made out of the Investment Advisers, distributors and/or their
affiliates own assets, and are not an additional charge to the Fund or its shareholders. The
Additional Payments are in addition to the distribution and service fees paid by the Fund described
in the Funds Prospectus and this SAI, and are also in addition to the sales commissions payable to
Intermediaries as set forth in the Prospectus.
These Additional Payments are intended to compensate Intermediaries for, among other things:
marketing shares of the Fund, which may consist of payments relating
the Funds inclusion on preferred
or recommended fund lists or in certain sales programs from time to time sponsored by the
Intermediaries; access to the Intermediaries registered representatives or salespersons, including
at conferences and other meetings; assistance in training and education of personnel; finders or
B-70
referral fees for directing investors to the Fund; marketing support fees for providing
assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares (which may include promotions in communications
with the Intermediaries customers, registered representatives and salespersons); and/or other
specified services intended to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Fund. In addition,
the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may make Additional Payments (including
through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) for subaccounting, administrative and/or
shareholder processing services that are in addition to the transfer agent, shareholder
administration, servicing and processing fees paid by the Fund. These payments may exceed amounts
earned on these assets by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates for the
performance of these or similar services. The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser,
Distributor and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount; may be based on the number of
customer accounts maintained by an Intermediary; may be based on a percentage of the value of
shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Intermediary involved; or may be calculated on another
basis. Furthermore, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may, to the extent
permitted by applicable regulations, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements
to promote the sale of shares, as well as sponsor various educational programs, sales contests
and/or promotions. The Investment Adviser, Distributor and their affiliates may also pay for the
travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of Intermediaries and their salespersons and
guests in connection with educational, sales and promotional programs subject to applicable FINRA
regulations. The amount of these Additional Payments (excluding payments made through sub-transfer
agency and networking agreements) is normally not expected to exceed 0.50% (annualized) of the
amount sold or invested through the Intermediaries. The Additional Payments are negotiated based on
a range of factors, including but not limited to, ability to attract and retain assets (including
particular classes of Fund shares), target markets, customer relationships, quality of service and
industry reputation. In addition, certain Intermediaries may have access to certain research and
investment services from the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates. Such research and investment
services (Additional Services) may include research reports, economic analysis, portfolio
analysis tools, business planning services, certain marketing and investor education materials and
strategic asset allocation modeling. In certain
cases, the Intermediary may not pay for these products or services.
The Additional Payments made by the Investment Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates or
the Additional Services received by an Intermediary may be different for different Intermediaries
and may vary with respect to the type of fund (
e.g.
, equity fund, fixed income fund, specialty
fund, asset allocation portfolio or money market fund) sold by the Intermediary. In addition, the
Additional Payment arrangements may include breakpoints in compensation which provide that the
percentage rate of compensation varies as the dollar value of the amount sold or invested through
an Intermediary increases. The presence of these Additional Payments or Additional Services, the
varying fee structure and the basis on which an Intermediary compensates its registered
representatives or salespersons may create an incentive for a particular Intermediary, registered
representative or salesperson to highlight, feature or recommend the Fund based, at least in part,
on the level of compensation paid.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their
affiliates made Additional Payments out of their own assets to
approximately 157 Intermediaries.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Investment Adviser, Distributor and their
affiliates paid to Intermediaries approximately $97.4 million in Additional Payments (excluding
payments made through sub-transfer agency and networking agreements) with respect to all funds of
the Trust and all of the funds in an affiliated investment company, Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust.
Shareholders
should contact their Authorized Dealer, Authorized Institution or other Intermediary for more information
about the Additional Payments or Additional Services they receive and any potential conflicts of
interest. For additional questions, please contact Goldman Sachs Funds at 1-800-621-2550.
OTHER INFORMATION
Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Investment Adviser have adopted a policy on
selective disclosure of portfolio holdings in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that
disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interest of Fund shareholders
and to address the conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and its service providers.
The policy provides that neither the Fund nor its Investment Adviser, Distributor or any agent, or
any employee thereof (Fund Representative) will disclose the Funds portfolio holdings
information to any person other than in accordance with the policy. For purposes of the policy,
portfolio holdings information means the Funds actual portfolio holdings, as well as nonpublic
information about its trading strategies or pending transactions. Under the policy, neither the
Fund nor any Fund Representative may solicit or accept any compensation or other consideration in
connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. A Fund Representative may
provide portfolio holdings information to third parties if such information has been included in
the Funds public filings with the SEC or is disclosed on the Funds publicly accessible
B-71
website. Information posted on the Funds website may be separately provided to any person
commencing the day after it is first published on the Funds website.
Portfolio holdings information that is not filed with the SEC or posted on the publicly
available website may be provided to third parties only if the third party recipients are required
to keep all portfolio holdings information confidential and are prohibited from trading on the
information they receive. Disclosure to such third parties must be approved in advance by the
Investment Advisers legal or compliance department. Disclosure to providers of auditing, custody,
proxy voting and other similar services for the Fund, as well as rating and ranking organizations,
will generally be permitted; however, information may be disclosed to other third parties
(including, without limitation, individuals, institutional investors, and intermediaries that sell
shares of the Fund,) only upon approval by the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, who must first
determine that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. In general, each recipient
of non-public portfolio holdings information must sign a confidentiality and non-trading agreement,
although this requirement will not apply when the recipient is otherwise subject to a duty of
confidentiality. In accordance with the policy, the identity of those recipients who receive
non-public portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis is as follows: the Investment
Adviser and its affiliates, the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, the Funds
custodian, the Funds legal counselDechert LLP, the Funds financial printerRR Donnelley, and
the Funds proxy voting serviceISS. In addition, certain fixed income funds of the Trust provide
non-public portfolio holdings information to Standard & Poors Rating Services to allow such funds
to be rated by it and certain equity funds provide non-public portfolio holdings information to
FactSet, a provider of global financial and economic information. These entities are obligated to
keep such information confidential. Third party providers of custodial or accounting services to
the Fund may release non-public portfolio holdings information of the Fund only with the permission
of Fund Representatives. From time to time portfolio holdings information may be provided to
broker-dealers solely in connection with the Fund seeking portfolio securities trading suggestions.
In providing this information reasonable precautions, including limitations on the scope of the
portfolio holdings information disclosed, are taken to avoid any potential misuse of the disclosed
information. All marketing materials prepared by the Trusts principal underwriter are reviewed by
Goldman Sachs Compliance department for consistency with the Trusts portfolio holdings disclosure
policy.
The Fund currently intends to publish on the Trusts website complete portfolio holdings as of
the end of each calendar quarter subject to a fifteen calendar day lag between the date of the
information and the date on which the information is disclosed. The Fund may publish on the website
complete portfolio holdings information more frequently if it has a legitimate business purpose for
doing so.
Under the policy, Fund Representatives will initially supply the Board of the Trustees with a
list of third parties who receive portfolio holdings information pursuant to any ongoing
arrangement. In addition, the Board is to receive information, on a quarterly basis, regarding any
other disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information that were permitted during the
preceding quarter. In addition, the Board of Trustees is to approve at its meetings a list of Fund
Representatives who are authorized to disclose portfolio holdings information under the policy. As
of February 29, 2012, only certain officers of the Trust as well as certain senior members of the
compliance and legal groups of the Investment Adviser have been approved by the Board of Trustees
to authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Miscellaneous
The Fund, will redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. The Fund, however,
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to pay redemptions by a distribution in kind of
securities (instead of cash) if (i) the redemption exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
asset value of the Fund at the time of redemption; or (ii) with respect to lesser redemption
amounts, the redeeming shareholder requests in writing a distribution in-kind of securities instead
of cash. The securities distributed in kind would be valued for this purpose using the same method
employed in calculating the Funds net asset value per share. See NET ASSET VALUE. If a
shareholder receives redemption proceeds in kind, the shareholder should expect to incur
transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the redemption.
The right of a shareholder to redeem shares and the date of payment by the Fund may be
suspended for more than seven days for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange is
closed, other than the customary weekends or holidays, or when trading on such Exchange is
restricted as determined by the SEC; or during any emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result
of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it or
fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or for such other period as the SEC may by order
permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund. (The Trust may also suspend or postpone the
recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)
B-72
As stated in the Prospectus, the Trust may authorize Authorized Institutions, Authorized
Dealers and other institutions that provide recordkeeping, reporting and processing services to
their customers to accept on the Trusts behalf purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by
or on behalf of their customers and, if approved by the Trust, to designate other intermediaries to
accept such orders. These institutions may receive payments from the Trust or Goldman Sachs for
their services. Certain Authorized Institutions, Authorized Dealers or other institutions may enter
into sub-transfer agency agreements with the Trust or Goldman Sachs with respect to their services.
In the interest of economy and convenience, the Trust does not issue certificates representing
the Funds shares. Instead, the transfer agent maintains a record of each shareholders ownership.
Each shareholder receives confirmation of purchase and redemption orders from the transfer agent.
Fund shares and any dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are reflected in account
statements from the transfer agent.
The Prospectus and this SAI do not contain all the information included in the Registration
Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered by the
Prospectus. Certain portions of the Registration Statement have been omitted from the Prospectus
and this SAI pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Registration Statement
including the exhibits filed therewith may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
Statements contained in the Prospectus or in this SAI as to the contents of any contract or
other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which the Prospectus and this SAI form a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects
by such reference.
Line of Credit
The Fund will participate in a $580,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit
facility together with other funds of the Trust and registered investment companies having
management or investment advisory agreements with GSAM or its affiliates. Pursuant to the terms of
this facility, the Fund and other borrowers may increase the credit amount by an additional
$340,000,000, for a total of up to $920,000,000. This facility is to be used for temporary
emergency purposes or to allow for an orderly liquidation of securities to meet redemption
requests. The interest rate on borrowings is based on the federal funds rate. The facility also
requires a fee to be paid by the Fund based on the amount of the commitment that has not been
utilized.
Large Trade Notifications
The Transfer Agent may from time to time receive notice that an Authorized Dealer or other
financial intermediary has received an order for a large trade in the Funds shares. The Fund may
determine to enter into portfolio transactions in anticipation of that order, even though the order
will not be processed until the following business day. This practice provides for a closer
correlation between the time shareholders place trade orders and the time the Fund enters into
portfolio transactions based on those orders, and permits the Fund to be more fully invested in
investment securities, in the case of purchase orders, and to more orderly liquidate its investment
positions, in the case of redemption orders. On the other hand, the Authorized Dealer or other
financial intermediary may not ultimately process the order. In this case, the Fund may be
required to borrow assets to settle the portfolio transactions entered into in anticipation of that
order, and would therefore incur borrowing costs. The Fund may also suffer investment losses on
those portfolio transactions. Conversely, the Fund would benefit from any earnings and investment
gains resulting from such portfolio transactions.
Corporate Actions
From time to time, the issuer of a security held in the Funds portfolio may initiate a
corporate action relating to that security. Corporate actions relating to equity securities may
include, among others, an offer to purchase new shares, or to tender existing shares, of that
security at a certain price. Corporate actions relating to debt securities may include, among
others, an offer for early redemption of the debt security, or an offer to convert the debt
security into stock. Certain corporate actions are voluntary, meaning that the Fund may only
participate in the corporate action if it elects to do so in a timely fashion. Participation in
certain corporate actions may enhance the value of the Funds investment portfolio.
In cases where the Fund or its Investment Adviser receives sufficient advance notice of a
voluntary corporate action, the Investment Adviser will exercise its discretion, in good faith, to
determine whether the Fund will participate in that corporate action. If the Fund or its Investment
Adviser does not receive sufficient advance notice of a voluntary corporate action, the Fund may
not be able to timely elect to participate in that corporate action. Participation or lack of
participation in a voluntary corporate action may result in a negative impact on the value of the
Funds investment portfolio.
B-73
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
(Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares Only)
Distribution and Service Plans
.
As described in the Prospectus, the Trust has
adopted, on behalf of Class A, Class C and Class R Shares of the Fund, Distribution and Service
Plans (each a Plan). See Shareholder GuideDistribution and Service Fees in the Prospectus.
The distribution fees payable under the Plans are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the Act and finance
distribution and other services that are provided to investors in the Fund and enable the Fund to
offer investors the choice of investing in either Class A, Class C or Class R Shares when investing
in the Fund. In addition, distribution fees payable under the Plans may be used to assist the Fund
in reaching and maintaining asset levels that are efficient for the Funds operations and
investments.
The Plans for the Funds Class A, Class C and Class R Shares were most recently approved on
October 20, 2011 by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the
non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of approving the Plans.
The compensation for distribution services payable under a Plan to Goldman Sachs may not
exceed 0.25%, 0.75% and 0.50% per annum of the Funds average daily net assets attributable to
Class A, Class C and Class R Shares, respectively, of the Fund.
Under the Plan for Class C Shares, Goldman Sachs is also entitled to receive a separate fee
for personal and account maintenance services equal on an annual basis to 0.25% of the Funds
average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. With respect to Class A and Class R
Shares, the Distributor at its discretion may use compensation for distribution services paid under
the Plan for personal and account maintenance services and expenses so long as such total
compensation under the Plan does not exceed the maximum cap on service fees imposed by FINRA.
Each Plan is a compensation plan which provides for the payment of a specified fee without
regard to the expenses actually incurred by Goldman Sachs. If such fee exceeds Goldman Sachs
expenses, Goldman Sachs may realize a profit from these arrangements. The distribution fees
received by Goldman Sachs under the Plans (and, as applicable, CDSC) on Class A, Class C and Class
R Shares may be sold by Goldman Sachs as distributor to entities which provide financing for
payments to Authorized Dealers in respect of sales of Class A, Class C and Class R Shares. To the
extent such fees are not paid to such dealers, Goldman Sachs may retain such fees as compensation
for its services and expenses of distributing the Funds Class A, Class C and Class R Shares.
Under each Plan, Goldman Sachs, as distributor of the Funds Class A, Class C and Class R
Shares, will provide to the Trustees of the Trust for their review, and the Trustees of the Trust
will review at least quarterly a written report of the services provided and amounts expended by
Goldman Sachs under the Plans and the purposes for which such services were performed and
expenditures were made.
The Plans will remain in effect until [June 30], 2012 and from year to year thereafter,
provided that such continuance is approved annually by a majority vote of the Trustees of the
Trust, including a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the
amount of distribution compensation described therein without approval of a majority of the
outstanding Class A, Class C or Class R Shares of the affected Fund and affected share class but
may be amended without shareholder approval to increase materially the amount of non-distribution
compensation. All material amendments of a Plan must also be approved by the Trustees of the Trust
in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time as to the Fund without payment
of any penalty by a vote of a majority of the non-interested Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a
majority of the Class A, Class C or Class R Shares. If a Plan was terminated by the Trustees of
the Trust and no successor plan was adopted, the Fund would cease to make payments to Goldman Sachs
under the Plan and Goldman Sachs would be unable to recover the amount of any of its unreimbursed
expenditures. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of non-interested
Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of the non-interested Trustees of the
Trust. The Trustees of the Trust have determined that in their judgment there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Fund and its Class A, Class C and Class R shareholders.
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE, PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS,
EXCHANGES AND DIVIDENDS
(Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class R Shares Only)
The following information supplements the information in the Prospectus under the captions
Shareholder Guide and Dividends. Please see the Prospectus for more complete information.
B-74
Maximum Sales Charges
Class A Shares of the Fund are sold with a maximum sales charge of 5.5%. Using the initial
net asset value per share, the maximum offering price of the Funds Class A shares would be as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering Price
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value
|
|
|
Maximum Sales Charge
|
|
|
to Public
|
|
Managed Futures Strategy Fund
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
10.58
|
|
The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor on the purchase of Class A Shares may
differ slightly from the sales charge listed above or in the Funds Prospectus due to rounding in
the calculations. For example, the sales load disclosed above and in the Funds Prospectus is only
shown to one decimal place (
i.e.
, 5.5%). The actual sales charge that is paid by an investor will
be rounded to two decimal places. As a result of such rounding in the calculations, the actual
sales load paid by an investor may be somewhat greater (
e.g.
, 5.53%) or somewhat lesser (
e.g.
,
5.48%) than that listed above or in the Prospectus. Contact your
financial adviser for further
information.
Other Purchase Information/Sales Charge Waivers
Class A Shares of the Fund may be sold at NAV without payment of any sales charge to state
sponsored 529 college savings plans. The sales charge waivers on the Funds shares are due to the
nature of the investors involved and/or the reduced sales effort that is needed to obtain such
investments.
At the discretion of the Trusts officers and in addition to the NAV purchases permitted in
the Funds Prospect, Class A Shares of the Fund may also be sold at NAV without payment of any
sales charge for shares purchased through certain Section 401(k), profit sharing, money purchase
pension, tax-sheltered annuity, defined benefit pension, or other employee benefit (including
health savings accounts) or SIMPLE plans that are sponsored by one or more employers (including
governmental or church employers) or employee organizations investing in the Fund.
If
shares of the Fund are held in an account with an Authorized Dealer, all
recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial
owners account will be performed by the Authorized Dealer, and not by the Fund and its transfer
agent. Because the Fund will have no record of the beneficial owners transactions, a beneficial
owner should contact the Authorized Dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes
in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account. The
transfer of shares in a street name account to an account with another dealer or to an account
directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain
historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the Authorized Dealer.
Right of Accumulation (Class A)
A Class A shareholder qualifies for cumulative quantity discounts if the current purchase
price of the new investment plus the shareholders current holdings of existing Class A and/or
Class C Shares (acquired by purchase or exchange) of the Fund and Class A, Class B and/or Class C
Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund total the requisite amount for receiving a discount. For
example, if a shareholder owns shares with a current market value of $65,000 and purchases
additional Class A Shares of any Goldman Sachs Fund with a purchase price of $45,000, the sales
charge for the $45,000 purchase would be 3.75% (the rate applicable to a single purchase of
$100,000 but less than $250,000). Class A and/or Class C Shares of the Fund and Class A, Class B
and/or Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased (i) by an individual, his spouse,
his parents and his children, and (ii) by a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary of a single trust
estate or a single fiduciary account, will be combined for the purpose of determining whether a
purchase will qualify for such right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable sales
charge level. For purposes of applying the right of accumulation, shares of the Fund and any other
Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by an existing client of Goldman Sachs Wealth Management or GS Ayco
Holding LLC will be combined with Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares and other assets held by
all other Goldman Sachs Wealth Management accounts or accounts of GS Ayco Holding LLC,
respectively. In addition, Class A and/or Class C Shares of the Fund and Class A, Class B and/or
Class C Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund purchased by partners, directors, officers or
employees of the same business organization, groups of individuals represented by and investing on
the recommendation of the same accounting firm, certain affinity groups or other similar
organizations (collectively, eligible persons) may be combined for the purpose of determining
whether a purchase will qualify for the right of accumulation and, if qualifying, the applicable
sales charge level. This right of accumulation is subject to the following conditions: (i) the
business organizations, groups or firms agreement to cooperate in the offering of the Funds
shares to eligible persons; and (ii) notification to the
B-75
Fund at the time of purchase that the investor is eligible for this right of accumulation. In
addition, in connection with SIMPLE IRA accounts, cumulative quantity discounts are available on a
per plan basis if (i) your employee has been assigned a cumulative discount number by Goldman
Sachs; and (ii) your account, alone or in combination with the accounts of other plan participants
also invested in Class A, Class B and/or Class C Shares of the Goldman Sachs Funds, totals the
requisite aggregate amount as described in the Prospectus.
Statement of Intention (Class A)
If a shareholder anticipates purchasing at least $100,000 of Class A Shares of the Fund alone
or in combination with Class A Shares of any other Goldman Sachs Fund within a 13-month period, the
shareholder may purchase shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by submitting a Statement of
Intention (the Statement). Shares purchased pursuant to a Statement will be eligible for the
same sales charge discount that would have been available if all of the purchases had been made at
the same time. The shareholder or his Authorized Dealer must inform Goldman Sachs that the
Statement is in effect each time shares are purchased. There is no obligation to purchase the full
amount of shares indicated in the Statement. A shareholder may include the value of all Class A
Shares on which a sales charge has previously been paid as an accumulation credit toward the
completion of the Statement, but a price readjustment will be made only on Class A Shares purchased
within ninety (90) days before submitting the Statement. The Statement authorizes the transfer
agent to hold in escrow a sufficient number of shares which can be redeemed to make up any
difference in the sales charge on the amount actually invested. For purposes of satisfying the
amount specified on the Statement, the gross amount of each investment, exclusive of any
appreciation on shares previously purchased, will be taken into account.
The provisions applicable to the Statement, and the terms of the related escrow agreement, are
set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.
Cross-Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions
Shareholders may receive dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of
the Fund or they may elect to receive them in cash or shares of the same class of other Goldman
Sachs Funds or Service Shares of the Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund (the
Prime Obligations Fund), if they hold Class C Shares of the Fund.
A Fund shareholder should obtain and read the prospectus relating to the other Goldman Sachs
Fund or the Prime Obligations Fund and its shares and consider its investment objective, policies
and applicable fees before electing cross-reinvestment into that Fund. The election to
cross-reinvest dividends and capital gain distributions will not affect the tax treatment of such
dividends and distributions, which will be treated as received by the shareholder and then used to
purchase shares of the acquired fund. Such reinvestment of dividends and distributions in shares of
other Goldman Sachs Funds or the Prime Obligations Fund is available only in states where such
reinvestment may legally be made.
Automatic Exchange Program
A Fund shareholder may elect to exchange automatically a specified dollar amount of shares of
the Fund for shares of the same class or an equivalent class of another Goldman Sachs Fund provided
the minimum initial investment requirement has been satisfied. A Fund shareholder should obtain
and read the prospectus relating to any other Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its
investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an automatic
exchange into that Goldman Sachs Fund.
Class C Exchanges
As stated in the Prospectus, Goldman Sachs normally begins paying the annual 0.75%
distribution fee on Class C Shares to Authorized Dealers after the shares have been held for one
year. When an Authorized Dealer enters into an appropriate agreement with Goldman Sachs and stops
receiving this payment on Class C Shares that have been beneficially owned by the Authorized
Dealers customers for at least ten years, those Class C Shares may be exchanged for Class A Shares
(which bear a lower distribution fee) of the same Fund at their relative net asset value without a
sales charge in recognition of the reduced payment to the Authorized Dealer.
Exchanges from Collective Investment Trusts to Goldman Sachs Funds
The Investment Adviser manages a number of collective investment trusts that hold assets of
401(k) plans and other retirement plans (each, a Collective Investment Trust). An investor in a
Collective Investment Trust (or an Intermediary
B-76
acting on behalf of the investor) may elect to exchange some or all of the interests it holds
in a Collective Investment Trust for shares of one or more of the Goldman Sachs Funds. Generally
speaking, Rule 22c-1 under the Act requires a purchase order for shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund to
be priced based on the current NAV of the Goldman Sachs Fund that is next calculated after receipt
of the purchase order. A Goldman Sachs Fund will treat a purchase order component of an exchange
from an investor in a Collective Investment Trust as being received in good order at the time it is
communicated to an Intermediary or the Transfer Agent, if the amount of shares to be purchased is
expressed as a percentage of the value of the investors interest in a designated Collective
Investment Trust that it is contemporaneously redeeming (
e.g.
, if the investor communicates a
desire to exchange 100% of its interest in a Collective Investment Trust for shares of a Goldman
Sachs Fund). The investors purchase price and the number of Goldman Sachs Fund shares it will
acquire will therefore be calculated as of the pricing of the Collective Investment Trust on the
day of the purchase order. Such an order will be deemed to be irrevocable as of the time the
Goldman Sachs Funds NAV is next calculated after receipt of the purchase order. An investor should
obtain and read the prospectus relating to any Goldman Sachs Fund and its shares and consider its
investment objective, policies and applicable fees and expenses before electing an exchange into
that Goldman Sachs Fund. For federal income tax purposes, an exchange of interests in a Collective
Investment Trust for shares of a Goldman Sachs Fund may be subject to tax, and you should consult
your tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of an exchange.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
A systematic withdrawal plan (the Systematic Withdrawal Plan) is available to shareholders
of the Fund whose shares are worth at least $5,000. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan provides for
monthly payments to the participating shareholder of any amount not less than $50.
Dividends and capital gain distributions on shares held under the Systematic Withdrawal Plan
are reinvested in additional full and fractional shares of the Fund at net asset value. The
transfer agent acts as agent for the shareholder in redeeming sufficient full and fractional shares
to provide the amount of the systematic withdrawal payment. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be
terminated at any time. Goldman Sachs reserves the right to initiate a fee of up to $5 per
withdrawal, upon thirty (30) days written notice to the shareholder. Withdrawal payments should
not be considered to be dividends, yield or income. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed
new purchases and reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholders original
investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. The maintenance of a
withdrawal plan concurrently with purchases of additional Class A or Class C Shares would be
disadvantageous because of the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A Shares or the
imposition of a CDSC on redemptions of Class A or Class C Shares. The CDSC applicable to Class A
or Class C Shares redeemed under a systematic withdrawal plan may be waived. See Shareholder
Guide in the Prospectus. In addition, each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares, and any
gain or loss realized must be reported for federal and state income tax purposes. A shareholder
should consult his or her own tax adviser with regard to the tax consequences of participating in
the Systematic Withdrawal Plan. For further information or to request a Systematic Withdrawal
Plan, please write or call the Transfer Agent.
B-77
APPENDIX A
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Short-Term Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors short-term issue credit rating is a current opinion of the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation having an original
maturity of no more than 365 days. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard
& Poors for short-term issues:
A-1 A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard &
Poors. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within
this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions
within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1 A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2 A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial
commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3 A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments
over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
D A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace
period has not expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such payments will be made during
such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the
taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks Country risk considerations are a standard part
of Standard & Poors analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a
key factor in this analysis. An obligors capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be
lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign
governments own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign
risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign
Currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those
instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of
issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term
programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original
maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
Moodys employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated
issuers:
P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
1-A
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to
repay short-term obligations.
NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the
Prime rating categories.
Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) short-term ratings scale applies to foreign
currency and local currency ratings. A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months
for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry
standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that
are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on
the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. The following summarizes
the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:
F1 Securities possess the highest credit quality. This designation indicates the
strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any
exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 Securities possess good credit quality. This designation indicates a satisfactory
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as
in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 Securities possess fair credit quality. This designation indicates that the capacity
for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could
result in a reduction to non investment grade.
B Securities possess speculative credit quality. This designation indicates minimal
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse
changes in financial and economic conditions.
C Securities possess high default risk. Default is a real possibility. This designation
indicates a capacity for meeting financial commitments which is solely reliant upon a sustained,
favorable business and economic environment.
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial
obligations.
NR This designation indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issuer or
issue.
WD This designation indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer
maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited (DBRS) for
commercial paper and short-term debt:
R-1 (high) Short-term debt rated R-1 (high) is of the highest credit quality, and
indicates an entity possessing unquestioned ability to repay current liabilities as they fall due.
Entities rated in this category normally maintain strong liquidity positions, conservative debt
levels, and profitability that is both stable and above average. Companies achieving an R-1
(high) rating are normally leaders in structurally sound industry segments with proven track
records, sustainable positive future results, and no substantial qualifying negative factors. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for an R-1 (high), few entities are strong
enough to achieve this rating.
R-1 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-1 (middle) is of superior credit quality and, in
most cases, ratings in this category differ from R-1 (high) credits by only a small degree. Given
the extremely tough definition DBRS has established for the R-1 (high) category, entities rated
R-1 (middle) are also considered strong credits, and typically exemplify above average strength
in key areas of consideration for the timely repayment of short-term liabilities.
R-1 (low) Short-term debt rated R-1 (low) is of satisfactory credit quality. The
overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt and profitability ratios are not normally as
favorable as with higher rating categories, but these considerations are still respectable. Any
qualifying negative factors that exist are considered manageable, and the entity is normally of
sufficient size to have some influence in its industry.
R-2 (high) Short-term debt rated R-2 (high) is considered to be at the upper end of
adequate credit quality. The ability to repay obligations as they mature remains acceptable,
although the overall strength and outlook for key liquidity, debt, and profitability ratios is not
as strong as credits rated in the R-1 (low) category. Relative to the latter category, other
shortcomings often include areas such as stability, financial flexibility, and the relative size
and market position of the entity within its industry.
R-2 (middle) Short-term debt rated R-2 (middle) is considered to be of adequate credit
quality. Relative to the R-2 (high) category, entities rated R-2 (middle) typically have some
combination of higher volatility, weaker debt or liquidity positions, lower future cash flow
capabilities, or are negatively impacted by a weaker industry. Ratings in this category would be
more vulnerable to adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
R-2 (low) Short-term debt rated R-2 (low) is considered to be at the lower end of
adequate credit quality, typically having some combination of challenges that are not acceptable
for an R-2 (middle) credit. However, R-2 (low) ratings still display a level of credit strength
that allows for a higher rating than the R-3 category, with this distinction often reflecting the
issuers liquidity profile.
2-A
R-3 Short-term debt rated R-3 is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit
quality, one step up from being speculative. While not yet defined as speculative, the R-3
category signifies that although repayment is still expected, the certainty of repayment could be
impacted by a variety of possible adverse developments, many of which would be outside the issuers
control. Entities in this area often have limited access to capital markets and may also have
limitations in securing alternative sources of liquidity, particularly during periods of weak
economic conditions.
R-4 Short-term debt rated R-4 is speculative. R-4 credits tend to have weak liquidity
and debt ratios, and the future trend of these ratios is also unclear. Due to its speculative
nature, companies with R-4 ratings would normally have very limited access to alternative sources
of liquidity. Earnings and cash flow would typically be very unstable, and the level of overall
profitability of the entity is also likely to be low. The industry environment may be weak, and
strong negative qualifying factors are also likely to be present.
R-5 Short-term debt rated R-5 is highly speculative. There is a reasonably high level
of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to repay the obligations on a continuing basis in
the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity. In some cases, short
term debt rated R-5 may have challenges that if not corrected, could lead to default.
D A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment or the
issuer has made it clear that it will be missing such a payment in the near future. In some cases,
DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement scenario, as allowances for grace
periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation. Once assigned, the D rating will
continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in arrears, and until such time as the
rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
Long-Term Credit Ratings
The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poors for long-term issues:
AAA An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poors. The
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small
degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes
in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest.
While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be
outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative
issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial,
or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
B An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB,
but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or
willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions,
the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or
obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have
not experienced a payment default. Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated
debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance
with the instruments terms.
D An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when
payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poors believes that such
3-A
payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are
jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a
plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient
information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poors does not rate a particular
obligation as a matter of policy.
Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks Country risk considerations are a standard part
of Standard & Poors analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a
key factor in this analysis. An obligors capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be
lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign
governments own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign
risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign
currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those
instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moodys for long-term debt:
Aaa Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit
risk.
Aa Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low
credit risk.
A Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit
risk.
Baa Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered
medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to
substantial credit risk.
B Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very
high credit risk.
Ca Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near,
default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default,
with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification
from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of
its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:
AAA Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the
lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity
for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by
foreseeable events.
AA Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote
expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial
commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A Securities considered to be of high credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of
low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This
capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic
conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Securities considered to be of good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that there
is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is
considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to
impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
BB Securities considered to be speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a
possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over
time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments
to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B Securities considered to be highly speculative. For issuers and performing obligations,
B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety
remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is
contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. For individual
obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high
recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR1 (outstanding).
4-A
CCC For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for
meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic
conditions. For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with
potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted
by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of RR2
(superior), or RR3 (good) or RR4 (average).
CC For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. For
individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of
RR4 (average) or RR5 (below average).
C For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent. For individual
obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to
poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR6 (poor).
RD Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace
period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of
obligations.
D Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial
obligations.
Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major
rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA category or to categories below CCC.
NR Denotes that Fitch does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
WD Indicates that the rating has been withdrawn and is no longer maintained by Fitch.
The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS for long-term debt:
AAA Long-term debt rated AAA is of the highest credit quality, with exceptionally
strong protection for the timely repayment of principal and interest. Earnings are considered
stable, the structure of the industry in which the entity operates is strong, and the outlook for
future profitability is favorable. There are few qualifying factors present that would detract from
the performance of the entity. The strength of liquidity and coverage ratios is unquestioned and
the entity has established a credible track record of superior performance. Given the extremely
high standard that DBRS has set for this category, few entities are able to achieve a AAA rating.
AA Long-term debt rated AA is of superior credit quality, and protection of interest
and principal is considered high. In many cases they differ from long-term debt rated AAA only to
a small degree. Given the extremely restrictive definition DBRS has for the AAA category,
entities rated AA are also considered to be strong credits, typically exemplifying above-average
strength in key areas of consideration and unlikely to be significantly affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.
A Long-term debt rated A is of satisfactory credit quality. Protection of interest and
principal is still substantial, but the degree of strength is less than that of AA rated
entities. While A is a respectable rating, entities in this category are considered to be more
susceptible to adverse economic conditions and have greater cyclical tendencies than higher-rated
securities.
BBB Long-term debt rated BBB is of adequate credit quality
.
Protection of interest and
principal is considered acceptable, but the entity is fairly susceptible to adverse changes in
financial and economic conditions, or there may be other adverse conditions present which reduce
the strength of the entity and its rated securities.
BB
Long-term debt rated BB is defined to be speculative and non-investment grade, where
the degree of protection afforded interest and principal is uncertain, particularly during periods
of economic recession. Entities in the BB range typically have limited access to capital markets
and additional liquidity support. In many cases, deficiencies in critical mass, diversification,
and competitive strength are additional negative considerations.
B Long-term debt rated B is considered highly speculative and there is a reasonably
high level of uncertainty as to the ability of the entity to pay interest and principal on a
continuing basis in the future, especially in periods of economic recession or industry adversity.
CCC, CC and C Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is very highly
speculative and is in danger of default of interest and principal. The degree of adverse elements
present is more severe than long-term debt rated B. Long-term debt rated below B often have
features which, if not remedied, may lead to default. In practice, there is little difference
between these three categories, with CC and C normally used for lower ranking debt of companies
for which the senior debt is rated in the CCC to B range.
D
A security rated D implies the issuer has either not met a scheduled payment of
interest or principal or that the issuer has made it clear that it will miss such a payment in the
near future. In some cases, DBRS may not assign a D rating under a bankruptcy announcement
scenario, as allowances for grace periods may exist in the underlying legal documentation.
5-A
Once assigned, the D rating will continue as long as the missed payment continues to be in
arrears, and until such time as the rating is discontinued or reinstated by DBRS.
(high, low) Each rating category is denoted by the subcategories high and low. The
absence of either a high or low designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the
category. The AAA and D categories do not utilize high, middle, and low as differential
grades.
Municipal Note Ratings
A Standard & Poors U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating.
Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following
criteria will be used in making that assessment:
|
|
|
Amortization schedule-the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the
more likely it will be treated as a note; and
|
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Source of payment-the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the
more likely it will be treated as a note.
|
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a strong capacity to pay principal and
interest. Those issues determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service are given a
plus (+) designation.
SP-2 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit a satisfactory capacity to pay
principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the
term of the notes.
SP-3 The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal
and interest.
Moodys uses three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered
investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are
divided into three levels MIG-1 through MIG-3. In addition, those short-term obligations
that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at
the maturity of the obligation. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moodys for these
short-term obligations:
MIG-1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to
the market for refinancing.
MIG-2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample,
although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG-3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow
protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this
category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned;
a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents
Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments.
The second element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability
to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of the MIG rating
scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated
NR,
e.g.
, Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG-1.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issues specific structural or credit features.
VMIG-1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG-2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the
strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections
that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
6-A
VMIG-3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is
afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural
and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in
this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade
short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the
timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
Fitch uses the same ratings for municipal securities as described above for other short-term
credit ratings.
About Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poors issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an
obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations,
or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial
paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other
forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the
obligation is denominated. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or
hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for
a particular investor.
Moodys credit ratings must be construed solely as statements of opinion and not as statements
of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities.
Fitchs credit ratings provide an opinion on the relative ability of an entity to meet
financial commitments, such as interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance
claims or counterparty obligations. Fitch credit ratings are used by investors as indications of
the likelihood of receiving their money back in accordance with the terms on which they invested.
Fitchs credit ratings cover the global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational
and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the
securities or other obligations they issue, as well as structured finance securities backed by
receivables or other financial assets.
DBRS credit ratings are not buy, hold or sell recommendations, but rather the result of
qualitative and quantitative analysis focusing solely on the credit quality of the issuer and its
underlying obligations.
7-A
APPENDIX B
GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines Summary
The following is a summary of the material GSAM Proxy Voting Guidelines (the Guidelines), which
form the substantive basis of GSAMs Policy on Proxy Voting for Client Accounts (Policy). As
described in the main body of the Policy, one or more GSAM portfolio management teams may diverge
from the Guidelines and a related Recommendation on any particular proxy vote or in connection with
any individual investment decision in accordance with the override process described in the Policy.
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US proxy items
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1. Operational Items
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page 1-B
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2. Board of Directors
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page 2-B
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3. Executive and Director Compensation
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page 4-B
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4. Proxy Contests
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page 7-B
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5. Shareholder Rights and Defenses
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page 8-B
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6. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
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page 9-B
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7. State of Incorporation
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page 9-B
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8. Capital Structure
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page 9-B
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9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues
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page 10-B
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International proxy items
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1. Operational Items
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page 11-B
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2. Board of Directors
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page 12-B
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3. Compensation
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page 14-B
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4. Board Structure
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page 15-B
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5. Capital Structure
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page 15-B
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6. Other
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page 17-B
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7. Environmental, Climate Change and Social Issues
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page 17-B
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The following section is a summary of the Guidelines, which form the substantive basis of the
Policy with respect to U.S. public equity investments.
1. Operational Items
Auditor Ratification
Vote FOR proposals to ratify auditors, unless any of the following apply within the last year:
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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; or material weaknesses identified in Section
404 disclosures; or
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Fees for non-audit services are excessive.
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Non-audit fees are excessive if:
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Non-audit fees exceed audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation
fees.
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Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors
from engaging in non-audit services taking into account issues that are consistent with SEC rules
adopted to fulfill the mandate of Sarbanes Oxley
1-B
such as an audit firm providing services that would impair its independence or the overall scope
and disclosure of fees for all services done by the audit firm.
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:
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The tenure of the audit firm;
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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;
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Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated
for both audit quality and competitive price; and
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Whether the auditors are being changed without explanation.
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2. Board of Directors
Classification of Directors
Where applicable, the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Listing Standards definition is to be used
to classify directors as insiders or affiliated outsiders. General definitions are as follows:
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Employee of the company or one of its affiliates
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Among the five most highly paid individuals (excluding interim CEO)
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Listed as an officer as defined under Section 16 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934
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Current interim CEO
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Beneficial owner of more than 50 percent of the companys voting power (this
may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a
defined group)
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Affiliated Outside Director
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Board attestation that an outside director is not independent
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Former CEO or other executive of the company within the last 3 years
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Former CEO or other executive of an acquired company within the past three
years
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Independent Outside Director
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No material connection to the company other than a board seat
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Additionally, GSAM will consider compensation committee interlocking directors to be affiliated
(defined as CEOs who sit on each others compensation committees).
Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
Vote on director nominees should be determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from individual directors who:
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Attend less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a disclosed
valid excuse for each of the last two years;
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Sit on more than six public company boards;
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Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies
besides their ownwithhold only at their outside boards.
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Other items considered for an AGAINST vote include specific concerns about the individual or the
company, such as criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities, sanctions from government or authority,
violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper business practice.
2-B
In limited circumstances, we may 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 and except as
discussed below) if:
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The companys poison pill has a dead-hand or modified dead-hand feature for two or
more years. Vote against/withhold every year until this feature is removed; however,
vote against the poison pill if there is one on the ballot with this feature rather
than the director;
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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;
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The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders
tendered their shares;
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If in an extreme situation the board lacks accountability and oversight, coupled
with sustained poor performance relative to peers.
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from Inside Directors and Affiliated Outside Directors (per the
Classification of Directors above) when:
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The inside or affiliated outside director serves on the audit, compensation, or
nominating (vote against affiliated directors only for nominating) committees;
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The company lacks an audit compensation, or nominating (vote against affiliated
directors only for nominating) committee so that the full board functions as that
committee and insiders are participating in voting on matters that independent
committees should be voting on;
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The full board is less than majority independent (in this case withhold from
affiliated outside directors); At controlled companies, GSAM will vote against the
election of affiliated outsiders and nominees affiliated with the parent and will not
vote against the executives of the issuer.
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from members of the appropriate committee for the following reasons (or
independent Chairman or lead director in cases of a classified board and members of appropriate
committee are not up for reelection). Extreme cases may warrant a vote against the entire board.
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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 (members of the
Nominating or Governance Committees);
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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); an adopted proposal that is substantially similar to the original
shareholder proposal will be deemed sufficient; (members of the committee of the board
that is responsible for the issue under consideration).
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Vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Audit Committee if:
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The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive;
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The company receives an adverse opinion on the companys financial statements from
its auditor; or
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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.
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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 identified, 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.
See section 3 on executive and director compensation for reasons to withhold from members of the
Compensation Committee.
Shareholder proposal regarding Independent Chair (Separate Chair/CEO)
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
3-B
GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans
position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following
criteria:
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Designated lead director, elected by and from the independent board members with
clearly delineated and comprehensive duties;
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Two-thirds independent board;
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All independent key committees; or
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Established, disclosed governance guidelines.
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Majority Vote Shareholder Proposals
GSAM will vote FOR proposals requesting that the board adopt majority voting in the election of
directors provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated.
GSAM also looks for companies to adopt a post-election policy outlining how the company will
address the situation of a holdover director.
Cumulative Vote Shareholder Proposals
GSAM will generally support shareholder proposals to restore or provide cumulative voting unless:
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The company has adopted majority vote standard with a carve-out for plurality voting
in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director resignation
policy to address failed elections.
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3. Executive and Director Compensation
Pay Practices
Good pay practices should align managements interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is required; proof that companies follow the criteria
should be evident. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven
talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without
justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive
severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock
options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites.
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If the company maintains problematic or poor pay practices, generally vote first:
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AGAINST Management Say on Pay (MSOP) Proposals or;
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AGAINST an equity-based incentive plan proposal if excessive non-performance-based
equity awards are the major contributor to a pay-for-performance misalignment, then;
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If no MSOP or equity-based incentive plan proposal item is on the ballot,
AGAINST/WITHHOLD on compensation committee members (or, in rare cases where the full
board is deemed responsible, all directors including the CEO) in egregious situations.
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Equity Compensation Plans
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on equity-based compensation plans. Reasons to vote AGAINST the equity plan
could include any of the following factors:
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The plan is a vehicle for poor pay practices;
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The plan expressly permits the repricing of stock options/stock appreciation rights
(SARs) without prior shareholder approval OR does not expressly prohibit the repricing
without shareholder approval;
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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;
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4-B
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The companys three year burn rate and Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) calculations
both materially exceed industry group metrics; or
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There is a long-term disconnect between CEO pay and the companys total shareholder
return in conjunction with the qualitative overlay as outlined in the policy guidelines
OR the company has a poor record of compensation practices, which is highlighted either
in analysis of the compensation plan or the evaluation of the election of directors.
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Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay, MSOP) Management Proposals
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on management proposals for an advisory vote on executive compensation. For U.S.
companies, consider the following factors in the context of each companys specific circumstances
and the boards disclosed rationale for its practices. In general two or more of the following in
conjunction with a long-term pay-for-performance disconnect will warrant an AGAINST vote. If there
is not a long-term pay for performance disconnect GSAM will look for multiple problematic factors
to be present to warrant a vote against.
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Assessment of performance metrics relative to business strategy, as discussed and
explained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section of a companys
proxy;
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Evaluation of peer groups used to set target pay or award opportunities;
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Alignment of long-term company performance and executive pay trends over time;
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Assessment of disparity between total pay of the CEO and other Named Executive
Officers (NEOs).
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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.
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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).
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Other considerations include:
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Abnormally large bonus payouts without justifiable performance linkage or proper
disclosure:
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Includes performance metrics that are changed, canceled, or replaced during
the performance period without adequate explanation of the action and the link
to performance
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Egregious employment contracts:
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Contracts containing multi-year guarantees for salary increases,
non-performance based bonuses, and equity compensation.
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Excessive severance and/or change in control provisions:
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Change in control cash payments exceeding 3 times base salary plus
target/average/last paid bonus;
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New or materially amended arrangements that provide for change-in-control
payments without loss of job or substantial diminution of job duties
(single-triggered),
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Excessive payments upon an executives termination in connection with
performance failure;
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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
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Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/stock appreciation rights without
prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts, option exchanges, and certain
voluntary surrender of underwater options where shares surrendered may subsequently be
re-granted).
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Perquisites for former and/or retired executives, such as lifetime benefits,
car allowances, personal use of corporate aircraft, or other inappropriate
arrangements
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Extraordinary relocation benefits (including home buyouts)
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Excessive amounts of perquisites compensation
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The following reasons could warrant a vote AGAINST or WITHHOLD from the members of the Compensation
Committee:
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Company has failed to address issues that led to an against vote in an MSOP;
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5-B
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The company fails to submit one-time transfers of stock options to a shareholder
vote;
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The company fails to fulfill the terms of a burn rate commitment they made to
shareholders; or
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The company has backdated options.
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Golden Parachutes
In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a companys separate advisory vote on
compensation MSOP), GSAM will incorporate the evaluation and could vote against the MSOP if we find
problematic aspects to the Golden Parachutes. In general, the presence of two or more of the
following factors could warrant a vote against:
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Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include excise tax gross-up
provisions (since prior annual meeting);
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Recently adopted or materially amended agreements that include modified single
triggers (since prior annual meeting);
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Single trigger payments that will happen immediately upon a change in control,
including cash payment and such items as the acceleration of performance-based equity
despite the failure to achieve performance measures;
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Single-trigger vesting of equity based on a definition of change in control that
requires only shareholder approval of the transaction (rather than consummation);
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Potentially excessive severance payments;
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Recent amendments or other changes that may make packages so attractive as to
influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders;
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In the case of a substantial gross-up from pre-existing/grandfathered contract: the
element that triggered the gross-up (i.e., option mega-grants at low point in stock
price, unusual or outsized payments in cash or equity made or negotiated prior to the
merger); or
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The companys assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder
approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.
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Other Compensation Proposals and Policies
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; and
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No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase since there is a company
matching contribution.
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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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6-B
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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.
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Vote FOR shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.
Other Shareholder Proposals on Compensation
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Frequency on Pay)
Vote for annual frequency if no management recommendation; otherwise, support two or three year
frequency if a company has an independent compensation committee and no long-term pay for
performance disconnect identified.
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 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.
Stock retention holding period
Vote FOR Shareholder proposals asking for a policy requiring that senior executives retain a
significant percentage of shares acquired through equity compensation programs if the policy allows
retention for two years or less following the termination of their employment (through retirement
or otherwise)
and
a holding threshold percentage of 50% or less.
Other factors to consider include:
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Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or officer ownership
requirements in place.
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Elimination of accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control
Vote AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking a policy eliminating the accelerated vesting of
time-based equity awards in the event of a change in control.
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.
4. 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:
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Long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;
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Managements track record;
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Background to the proxy contest;
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Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);
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Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of critique against management;
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Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates);
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Stock ownership positions.
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7-B
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:
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The election of fewer than 50% of the directors to be elected is contested in the
election;
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One or more of the dissidents candidates is elected;
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Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and
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The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this
bylaw.
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5. Shareholders Rights & Defenses
Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by
written consent, unless:
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The company already gives shareholders the right to call special meetings at a
threshold of 25% or lower; and
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The company has a history of strong governance practices.
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Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings
Generally vote FOR management proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special
meetings.
Generally vote FOR shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special
meetings at a threshold of 25% or lower if the company currently does not give shareholders the
right to call special meetings. However, if a company already gives shareholders the right to call
special meetings at a threshold of at least 25%, do not support shareholder proposals to further
reduce the threshold
.
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.
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:
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Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or
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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.
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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.
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:
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No lower than a 20% trigger, flip-in or flip-over;
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A term of no more than three years;
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8-B
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No dead-hand, slow-hand, no-hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a
future board to redeem the pill;
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Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to
redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 25 percent or less of
the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding
the pill.
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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:
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the trigger (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5%);
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the value of the NOLs;
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the term;
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shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, causing expiration of the pill
upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs); and
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other factors that may be applicable.
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6. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following based on publicly
available information:
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Valuation;
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Market reaction;
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Strategic rationale;
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Managements track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions;
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Presence of conflicts of interest; and
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Governance profile of the combined company.
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7. 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:
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Reasons for reincorporation;
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Comparison of companys governance practices and provisions prior to and following
the reincorporation; and
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Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state.
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Vote FOR reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance
changes.
8. Capital Structure
Common Stock Authorization
Votes on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance are
determined on a CASE-BY-CASE basis. We consider company-specific factors that include, at a
minimum, the following:
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Past Board performance;
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The companys use of authorized shares during the last three years;
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One- and three-year total shareholder return;
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The boards governance structure and practices;
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The current request;
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Disclosure in the proxy statement of specific reasons for the proposed increase;
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9-B
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The dilutive impact of the request as determined through an allowable increase,
which examines the companys need for shares and total shareholder returns; and
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Risks to shareholders of not approving the request.
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9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues
Overall Approach
When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, the following factors should be
considered:
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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;
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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.
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Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
A company should have a clear, public Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement outlining
various factors that are not discriminated against. Generally vote FOR proposals seeking to amend a
companys EEO statement or diversity policies to additionally prohibit discrimination based on
sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Lobbying Expenditures/Initiatives
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on proposals requesting information on a companys lobbying initiatives,
considering:
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Significant controversies, fines, or litigation surrounding a companys public
policy activities;
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The companys current level of disclosure on lobbying strategy; and
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The impact that the policy issue may have on the companys business operations.
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Political Contributions and Trade Association Spending
Generally vote AGAINST proposals asking the company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the
workplace so long as:
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There are no recent, significant controversies, fines or litigation regarding the
companys political contributions or trade association spending; and
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|
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 CASE-BY-CASE on proposals to improve the disclosure of a companys political contributions and
trade association spending, considering:
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|
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Recent significant controversy or litigation related to the companys political
contributions or governmental affairs;
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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; and
|
10-B
GSAM will not necessarily vote for the proposal merely to encourage further disclosure of trade
association spending.
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.
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:
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The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed;
|
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|
Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally
recognized standards;
|
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|
Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how;
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Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally
recognized human rights initiatives;
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Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of
workplace labor/human rights abuse;
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Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human
rights at the company or its suppliers;
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The scope of the request; and
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Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices.
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Sustainability and climate change reporting
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives, and
oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, or how the
company may be impacted by climate change. The following factors will be considered:
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|
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The companys current level of publicly-available disclosure including if 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 other similar report;
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If 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;
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|
If the companys current level of disclosure is comparable to that of its industry
peers; and
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|
If there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance.
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The following section is a broad summary of the Guidelines, which form the basis of the Policy with
respect to non-U.S. public equity investments. Applying these guidelines is subject to certain
regional and country-specific exceptions and modifications and is not inclusive of all
considerations in each market.
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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|
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There are concerns about the accounts presented or audit procedures used; or
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|
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|
The company is not responsive to shareholder questions about specific items
that should be publicly disclosed.
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Appointment of Auditors and Auditor Fees
Vote FOR the reelection of auditors and proposals authorizing the board to fix auditor fees,
unless:
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|
|
There are serious concerns about the accounts presented, audit procedures used
or audit opinion rendered;
|
11-B
|
|
|
The auditors are being changed without explanation; non-audit-related fees are
substantial or are in excess of standard annual audit-related fees; or 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.
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Appointment of Statutory Auditors
Vote FOR the appointment or reelection of statutory auditors, unless:
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|
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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|
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|
The auditors have previously served the company in an executive capacity or can
otherwise be considered affiliated with the company.
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Allocation of Income
Vote FOR approval of the allocation of income, unless:
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|
|
The dividend payout ratio has been consistently low without adequate
explanation; or
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|
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|
The payout is excessive given the companys financial position.
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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.
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.
2. Board of Directors
Director Elections
Vote FOR management nominees in the election of directors, unless:
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|
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Adequate disclosure has not been provided in a timely manner; or
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|
|
There are clear concerns over questionable finances or restatements; or
|
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|
There have been questionable transactions or conflicts of interest; or
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|
There are any records of abuses against minority shareholder interests; or
|
|
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|
The board fails to meet minimum corporate governance standards. or
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|
There are reservations about:
|
12-B
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|
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Director terms
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|
Bundling of proposals to elect directors
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|
Board independence
|
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Disclosure of named nominees
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Combined Chairman/CEO
|
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|
Election of former CEO as Chairman of the Board
|
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Overboarded directors
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|
Composition of committees
|
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|
Director independence
|
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|
Specific concerns about the individual or company, such as criminal wrongdoing or
breach of fiduciary responsibilities; or
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|
Unless there are other considerations which may include sanctions from government or
authority, violations of laws and regulations, or other issues related to improper
business practice, failure to replace management, or egregious actions related to
service on other boards.
|
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis in 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.
Classification of directors
Executive Director
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|
|
Employee or executive of the company;
|
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|
|
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;
|
|
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|
|
Any director specifically designated as a representative of a significant
shareholder of the company;
|
|
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|
Any director who is also an employee or executive of a significant shareholder
of the company;
|
|
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|
|
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);
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|
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|
|
Government representative;
|
|
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|
|
Currently provides (or a relative provides) professional services 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);
|
|
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|
|
Any director who has conflicting or cross-directorships with executive
directors or the chairman of the company;
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|
|
|
|
Relative of a current employee of the company or its affiliates;
|
|
|
|
|
Relative 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;
|
13-B
|
|
|
Any additional relationship or principle considered to compromise independence under
local corporate governance best practice guidance.
|
Independent NED
|
|
|
No material 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).
|
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:
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
Other egregious governance issues where shareholders may bring legal action against
the company or its directors; or
|
|
|
|
|
Vote on a CASE-BY-CASE basis where a vote against other agenda items are deemed
inappropriate.
|
3. Compensation
Good pay practices should align managements interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
Detailed disclosure of compensation criteria is required; proof that companies follow the criteria
should be evident. Compensation practices should allow a company to attract and retain proven
talent. Some examples of poor pay practices include: abnormally large bonus payouts without
justifiable performance linkage or proper disclosure, egregious employment contracts, excessive
severance and/or change in control provisions, repricing or replacing of underwater stock
options/stock appreciation rights without prior shareholder approval, and excessive perquisites.
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.
Compensation Plans
Vote compensation plans on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
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.
14-B
4. Board Structure
Vote FOR proposals to fix board size.
Vote AGAINST proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of
the company or the board.
Chairman CEO combined role
(for applicable markets)
GSAM will generally recommend a vote AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring that the chairmans
position be filled by an independent director, if the company satisfies 3 of the 4 following
criteria:
|
|
|
2/3 independent board, or majority in countries where employee representation is
common practice;
|
|
|
|
|
A designated, or a rotating, lead director, elected by and from the independent
board members with clearly delineated and comprehensive duties;
|
|
|
|
|
Fully independent key committees; and/or
|
|
|
|
|
Established, publicly disclosed, governance guidelines and director
biographies/profiles.
|
5. 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.
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:
|
|
|
The specific purpose of the increase (such as a share-based acquisition or merger)
does not meet guidelines for the purpose being proposed; or
|
|
|
|
|
The increase would leave the company with less than 30 percent of its new
authorization outstanding after adjusting for all proposed issuances.
|
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.
15-B
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 guidelines on equity issuance requests.
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 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
GSAM will generally recommend FOR share repurchase programs if the terms comply with the following
criteria:
|
|
|
A repurchase limit of up to 10 percent of outstanding issued share capital;
|
|
|
|
|
A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a companys issued share capital in treasury
(on the shelf); and
|
|
|
|
|
Duration of no more than 5 years, or such lower threshold as may be set by
applicable law, regulation, or code of governance best practice.
|
In markets where it is normal practice not to provide a repurchase limit, the proposal will be
evaluated based on the companys historical practice. In such cases, the authority must comply with
the following criteria:
|
|
|
A holding limit of up to 10 percent of a companys issued share capital in treasury
(on the shelf); and
|
|
|
|
|
Duration of no more than 5 years.
|
In addition, vote AGAINST any proposal where:
|
|
|
There is clear evidence of abuse;
|
|
|
|
|
There is no safeguard against selective buybacks;
|
|
|
|
|
Pricing provisions and safeguards are deemed to be unreasonable in light of market
practice.
|
Reissuance of Repurchased Shares
Vote CASE-BY-CASE on 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.
16-B
6. 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 based on publicly
available information:
|
|
|
Valuation;
|
|
|
|
|
Market reaction;
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic rationale;
|
|
|
|
|
Managements track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions;
|
|
|
|
|
Presence of conflicts of interest; and
|
|
|
|
|
Governance profile of the combined company.
|
Mandatory Takeover Bid Waivers
Vote proposals to waive mandatory takeover bid requirements 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.
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
inappropriately risky areas.
Related-Party Transactions
Vote related-party transactions on a CASE-BY-CASE basis.
7. Environmental, climate change and social issues
Vote FOR proposals that would improve the companys corporate governance or business profile at a
reasonable cost.
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;
|
17-B
|
|
|
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 and climate change reporting
Generally vote FOR proposals requesting the company to report on its policies, initiatives, and
oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, or how the
company may be impacted by climate change. The following factors will be considered:
|
|
|
The companys current level of publicly-available disclosure including if 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 other similar report;
|
|
|
|
|
If 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;
|
|
|
|
|
If the companys current level of disclosure is comparable to that of its industry
peers; and
|
|
|
|
|
If there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated
with the companys environmental performance.
|
18-B
APPENDIX C
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
(applicable only to Class A Shares)
If a shareholder anticipates purchasing within a 13-month period Class A Shares of the Fund
alone or in combination with Class A Shares of another Goldman Sachs Fund in the amount of $50,000
or more, the shareholder may obtain shares of the Fund at the same reduced sales charge as though
the total quantity were invested in one lump sum by checking and filing the Statement of Intention
in the Account Application. Income dividends and capital gain distributions taken in additional
shares, as well as any appreciation on shares previously purchased, will not apply toward the
completion of the Statement of Intention.
To ensure that the reduced price will be received on future purchases, the investor must
inform Goldman Sachs that the Statement of Intention is in effect each time shares are purchased.
Subject to the conditions mentioned below, each purchase will be made at the public offering price
applicable to a single transaction of the dollar amount specified on the Account Application. The
investor makes no commitment to purchase additional shares, but if the investors purchases within
13 months plus the value of shares credited toward completion do not total the sum specified, the
investor will pay the increased amount of the sales charge prescribed in the Escrow Agreement.
Escrow Agreement
Out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases if necessary), 5% of the dollar amount
specified on the Account Application will be held in escrow by the Transfer Agent in the form of
shares registered in the investors name. All income dividends and capital gains distributions on
escrowed shares will be paid to the investor or to his or her order. When the minimum investment so
specified is completed (either prior to or by the end of the 13th month), the investor will be
notified and the escrowed shares will be released.
If the intended investment is not completed, the investor will be asked to remit to Goldman
Sachs any difference between the sales charge on the amount specified and on the amount actually
attained. If the investor does not within 20 days after written request by Goldman Sachs pay such
difference in the sales charge, the Transfer Agent will redeem, pursuant to the authority given by
the investor in the Account Application, an appropriate number of the escrowed shares in order to
realize such difference. Shares remaining after any such redemption will be released by the
Transfer Agent.
16953430.1
1-C
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
|
(a)
|
|
(1)
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Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
1
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(2)
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Amendment No. 1 dated April 24, 1997 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust January 28, 1997
2
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(3)
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Amendment No. 2 dated July 21, 1997 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
2
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(4)
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Amendment No. 3 dated October 21, 1997 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
3
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(5)
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Amendment No. 4 dated January 28, 1998 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
3
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(6)
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Amendment No. 5 dated January 28, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
4
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(7)
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Amendment No. 6 dated July 22, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
4
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(8)
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Amendment No. 7 dated November 3, 1998 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
5
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(9)
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Amendment No. 8 dated March 1, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
6
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(10)
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Amendment No. 9 dated April 28, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
7
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(11)
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Amendment No. 10 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
8
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(12)
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Amendment No. 11 dated July 27, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
8
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(13)
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Amendment No. 12 dated October 26, 1999 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
9
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(14)
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Amendment No. 13 dated February 3, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
10
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(15)
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Amendment No. 14 dated April 26, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
11
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(16)
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Amendment No. 15 dated August 1, 2000 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
12
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(17)
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Amendment No. 16 dated January 30, 2001 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
13
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(18)
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Amendment No. 17 dated April 25, 2001 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
14
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(19)
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Amendment No. 18 dated July 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
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(20)
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Amendment No. 19 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
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(21)
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Amendment No. 20 dated August 1, 2002 to Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
15
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(22)
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Amendment No. 21 dated January 29, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
16
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(23)
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Amendment No. 22 dated July 31, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
17
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(24)
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Amendment No. 23 dated October 30, 2003 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
17
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(25)
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Amendment No. 24 dated May 6, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
18
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(26)
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Amendment No. 25 dated April 21, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
19
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(27)
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Amendment No. 26 dated November 4, 2004 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
19
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(28)
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Amendment No. 27 dated February 10, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
20
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(29)
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Amendment No. 28 dated May 12, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
21
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(30)
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Amendment No. 29 dated June 16, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
21
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(31)
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Amendment No. 30 dated August 4, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1977
21
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(32)
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Amendment No. 31 dated November 2, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
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(33)
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Amendment No. 32 dated December 31, 2005 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
23
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(34)
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Amendment No. 33 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
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(35)
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Amendment No. 34 dated March 16, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
22
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(36)
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Amendment No. 35 dated May 11, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
24
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(37)
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Amendment No. 36 dated June 15, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
25
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(38)
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Amendment No. 37 dated August 10, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
26
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(39)
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Amendment No. 38 dated November 9, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
26
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(40)
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Amendment No. 39 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(41)
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Amendment No. 40 dated December 14, 2006 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(42)
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Amendment No. 41 dated February 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(43)
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Amendment No. 42 dated March 15, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(44)
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Amendment No. 43 dated May 10, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
27
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(45)
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Amendment No. 44 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
28
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(46)
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Amendment No. 45 dated June 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
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(47)
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Amendment No. 46 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
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(48)
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Amendment No. 47 dated November 8, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
29
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(49)
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Amendment No. 48 dated December 13, 2007 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
30
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(50)
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Amendment No. 49 dated June 19, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
31
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(51)
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Amendment No. 50 dated August 14, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
32
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(52)
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Amendment No. 51 dated August 25, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
33
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(53)
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Amendment No. 52 dated November 13, 2008 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
33
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(54)
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Amendment No. 53 dated May 21, 2009 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
34
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(55)
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Amendment No. 54 dated November 19, 2009 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
34
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(56)
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Amendment No. 55 dated February 11, 2010 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
35
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(57)
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Amendment No. 56 dated May 20, 2010 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
36
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(58)
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Amendment No. 57 dated June 17, 2010 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
36
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(59)
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Amendment No. 58 dated November 18, 2010 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
37
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(60)
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Amendment No. 59 dated January 5, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
38
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(61)
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Amendment No. 60 dated February 10, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
38
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(62)
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Amendment No. 61 dated February 10, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997
38
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(63)
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Amendment No. 62 dated June 16, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997,
39
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(64)
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Amendment No. 63 dated August 18, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997,
40
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(65)
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Amendment No. 64 dated September 27, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997,
41
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(66)
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Amendment No. 65 dated October 20, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997,
41
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(67)
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Amendment No. 66 dated December 15, 2011 to the Agreement and
Declaration of Trust dated January 28, 1997,
42
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(b)
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(1)
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Amended and Restated By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002
15
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(2)
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Amendment No. 1 dated November 4, 2004 to Amended and Restated
By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002
20
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(3)
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Amendment No. 2 dated October 16, 2009 to Amended and Restated
By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002
34
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(4)
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Amendment No. 3 dated February 10, 2011 to Amended and Restated
By-laws of Goldman Sachs Trust dated October 30, 2002
38
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(c)
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Instruments defining the rights of holders of Registrants shares of beneficial
interest
43
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(d)
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(1)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, on behalf of
Goldman Sachs Short Duration Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs Funds Management, L.P.
3
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(2)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate Government Fund, and Goldman Sachs
Funds Management, L.P.
3
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(3)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Short Duration Tax-Free Fund, and Goldman Sachs
Asset Management
3
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(4)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
on behalf of Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund, and Goldman Sachs Asset
Management
3
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(5)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Goldman Sachs Financial Square Tax-Exempt California
and Goldman Sachs Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds (formerly
Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios), and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
3
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(6)
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Management Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant,
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Goldman Sachs Fund Management L.P. and Goldman
Sachs Asset Management International
44
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(7)
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Management Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the
Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
3
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(8)
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Amended Annex A dated September 25, 2007 to the Management
Agreement dated January 1, 1998 on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation
Portfolios and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
45
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(9)
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Amended Annex A dated December 15, 2011 to the Management
Agreement dated April 30, 1997 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Asset
Management, Goldman Sachs Fund Management L.P. and Goldman Sachs Asset
Management International
42/
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(10)
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Sub-Advisory Agreement dated February 27, 2012 between Goldman Sachs Asset Management,
L.P. and Dividend Assets Capital, LLC, on behalf of the Rising Dividend Growth Fund
46
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(11)
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Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Short-Duration Tax-Free Fund)
47
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(12)
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Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Tax-Exempt California and Goldman Sachs
Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds (formerly Institutional Liquid
Assets Portfolios))
47
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(13)
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Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to certain
of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income, Equity, Specialty and Money Market Funds)
47
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(14)
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Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Core Fixed Income Fund)
47
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(15)
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Assumption Agreement dated April 26, 2003 between Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (with respect to the
Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Funds)
47
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(16)
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Fee Reduction Commitment dated April 29, 2005 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Equity
Growth Strategy (formerly Aggressive Growth Strategy), Balanced Strategy,
Growth and Income Strategy and Growth Strategy Portfolios
20
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(17)
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Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short
Duration Tax-Free Fund
33
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(18)
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Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the
Ultra-Short Duration Government Fund (formerly Goldman Sachs Adjustable Rate
Government Fund)
33
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(19)
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Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Short
Duration Government Fund
33
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(20)
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Fee Reduction Commitment dated July 1, 2008 between Goldman
Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Core Fixed
Income Fund
33
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(e)
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(1)
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Distribution Agreement dated April 30, 1997
17
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(2)
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Amended Exhibit A dated December 15, 2011 to the Distribution
Agreement dated April 30, 1997
42/
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(f)
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Not applicable
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(g)
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(1)
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Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991, between Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company
48
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(2)
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Fee schedule relating to the Custodian Agreement between
Registrant on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios and State
Street Bank and Trust Company
2
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(3)
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Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company on behalf of Goldman Sachs Capital Growth
Fund
5
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(4)
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Fee schedule dated April 12, 1999 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Strategic Growth and Growth Opportunities Portfolios)
7
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(5)
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Fee schedule dated July 19, 1999 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Technology Tollkeeper Fund (formerly Tollkeeper Fund and
formerly Internet Tollkeeper Fund))
8
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(6)
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Fee schedule dated October 1, 1999 relating to the Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Large Cap Value Fund)
49
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(7)
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Fee schedule dated January 12, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Structured Tax-Managed Equity Fund (formerly CORE Tax-Managed
Equity Fund))
10
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(8)
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Fee schedule dated January 6, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (High Yield Municipal Fund)
10
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(9)
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Fee schedule dated April 14, 2000 relating to Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Enhanced Income Fund)
11
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(10)
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Additional Portfolio Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between
Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
10
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(11)
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Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated
April 6, 1990
10
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(12)
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Letter Agreement dated September 27, 1999 between Registrant
and State Street Bank and Trust Company relating to Custodian Agreement dated
July 15, 1991
10
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(13)
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Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated
April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
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(14)
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Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to the Custodian Contract dated
July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
14
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(15)
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Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated April 6, 1990
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
50
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(16)
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Amendment to the Custodian Agreement dated July 15, 1991
between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
50
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(17)
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Letter Amendment dated May 15, 2002 to the Custodian Agreement
dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
15
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(18)
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Global Custody Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant
and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
51
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(19)
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Letter Amendment dated August 26, 2003 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Debt Fund)
52
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(20)
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Letter Amendment dated October 28, 2003 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs U.S. Mortgages Fund)
52
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(21)
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Letter Amendment dated February 8, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(for the fund now known as Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund)
52
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(22)
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Letter Amendment dated March 14, 2007 to Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Satellite Strategies Portfolio)
52
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(23)
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Letter Amendment dated April 23, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Strategic International Equity Fund)
52
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(24)
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Letter Amendment dated May 2, 2007 to the Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Growth Fund and Goldman Sachs Structured
Small Cap Value Fund)
52
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(25)
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Letter Amendment dated August 10, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Inflation Protected Securities Fund)
52
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(26)
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Letter Amendment dated August 10, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Retirement Strategies Portfolios)
52
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(27)
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Letter Amendment dated September 12, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Small Cap Fund)
52
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(28)
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Letter Amendment dated September 12, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured Emerging Markets Equity Fund)
52
/
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(29)
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Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Enhanced Dividend Global Equity Portfolio)
52
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(30)
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Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Tax-Advantaged Global Equity Portfolio)
52
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(31)
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Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Tax-Managed Equity Fund)
52
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(32)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated September 18, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs International Equity Dividend and Premium Fund)
52
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(33)
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Letter Amendment dated October 4, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Local Emerging Markets Debt Fund)
52
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(34)
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|
Letter Amendment dated November 28, 2007 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund)
52
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(35)
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Letter Amendment dated September 17, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Structured International Equity Fund)
34
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(36)
|
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Letter Amendment dated November 19, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs U.S. Equity Fund)
34
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(37)
|
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Letter Amendment dated November 19, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Dynamic Allocation Fund)
53
/
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(38)
|
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Letter Amendment dated August 11, 2009 to the Custodian
Agreement dated April 6, 1990 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Technology Tollkeeper Fund (formerly Tollkeeper
Fund ))
54
/
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(39)
|
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Letter Amendment dated June 17, 2010 to the Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Strategic Income Fund)
36
/
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(40)
|
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Letter Amendment dated December 31, 2010 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A
(Goldman Sachs N-11 Equity Fund)
38
/
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(41)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated February 14, 2011 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company (Goldman Sachs High Yield Floating Rate Fund)
55/
|
|
(42)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated March 1, 2011 to the Custodian Agreement
dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Brazil Equity Fund, Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund, Goldman
Sachs China Equity Fund, and Goldman Sachs Korea Equity Fund)
55/
|
|
|
(43)
|
|
Custody Agreement dated April 5, 2011 between Registrant,
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon on
behalf of the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds
56/
|
|
|
(44)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated January 9, 2012 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State
Street Bank and Trust Company (Goldman Sachs Focused Growth Fund)
57/
|
|
|
(45)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated January 31, 2012 to the Custodian
Agreement dated July 15, 1991 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Goldman Sachs Rising Dividend Growth Fund)
46/
|
|
|
(46)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated December 14, 2011 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund) (filed herewith)
|
|
(h)
|
|
(1)
|
First Amendment dated July 18, 1994 to Amended and Restated Wiring
Agreement dated January 25, 1994 among Goldman, Sachs & Co., State Street Bank and
Trust Company and The Northern Trust Company
58
/
|
|
(2)
|
|
Amended and Restated Wiring Agreement dated January 25, 1994
among Goldman, Sachs & Co., State Street Bank and Trust Company and The
Northern Trust Company
58
/
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Letter Agreement dated June 20, 1987 regarding use of checking
account between Registrant and The Northern Trust Company
48
/
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 9, 2007 between
Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
58
/
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement Fee Schedule
dated December 15, 2011, to the Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 9, 2007
between Registrant and Goldman, Sachs & Co.
42/
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Trust relating to Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs Asset Allocation Portfolios,
Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds and
Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds
5
/
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Form of Retail Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs
Trust TPA Assistance Version relating to the Class A Shares of Goldman Sachs
Asset Allocation Portfolios, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds, Goldman Sachs
Domestic Equity Funds and Goldman Sachs International Equity Funds
60
/
|
|
|
(8)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the Administrative Class, Service Class and Cash
Management Class of Goldman Sachs Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolios
5
/
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the FST Shares, FST Select Shares, FST Preferred
Shares, FST Capital Shares, FST Administration Shares and FST Service Shares of
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds
5
/
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
Form of Supplemental Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman
Sachs Trust relating to the Class A Shares and Service Shares of Goldman Sachs
Equity and Fixed Income Funds
60
/
|
|
|
(11)
|
|
Form of Service Agreement on behalf of Goldman Sachs Trust
relating to the Institutional Class, Select Class, Preferred Class, Capital
Class, Administration Class, Premier Class, Service Class, Resource Class and
Cash Management Class, as
|
applicable,
of Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds, Goldman Sachs Fixed Income Funds,
Goldman Sachs Domestic Equity Funds, Goldman Sachs International Equity
Funds and Goldman Sachs Fund of Funds Portfolios
61
/
|
(12)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Administration Shares Administration Plan
amended and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of Financial Square
Tax-Exempt California and Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Cash Management Shares Service Plan amended
and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of Financial Square Tax-Exempt
California and Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(14)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Select Class Select Plan amended and
restated as of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(15)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Administration Shares Administration Plan
amended and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of the remaining
Financial Square Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(16)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Preferred Class Preferred
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
51/
|
|
|
(17)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Administration Class Administration Plan
amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(18)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Service Shares Service Plan and Shareholder
Administration Plan amended and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of
Financial Square Tax-Exempt California and Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York
Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(19)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Service Class Service Plan and Shareholder
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(20)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Capital Administration Class Capital
Administration Plan amended and restated as of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(21)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Service Shares Service Plan and Shareholder
Administration Plan amended and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of
the remaining Financial Square Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(22)
|
|
Mutual Funds Service Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between
Registrant and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co.
63
/
|
|
|
(23)
|
|
Form of Fee Waiver Agreement between Goldman Sachs Asset
Management, L.P. and Goldman Sachs Trust relating to the Commodity Strategy
Fund
58
/
|
|
|
(24)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust FST Cash Management Shares Service Plan
dated February 11, 2010 (on behalf of the remaining Financial Square Funds)
64
/
|
|
|
(25)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Premier Shares Service Plan and
Administration Plan dated February 11, 2010
64
/
|
|
|
(26)
|
|
Goldman Sachs Trust Resource Shares Service Plan dated February
11, 2010
64
/
|
|
|
(27)
|
|
Fund Administration and Accounting Agreement dated April 5,
2011 between Registrant, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and The Bank of
New York Mellon on behalf of the Goldman Sachs Money Market Funds
56
/
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (filed herewith)
|
|
(j)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
(k)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
(l)
|
|
Not applicable
|
|
|
(m)
|
|
(1)
|
|
Class A Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as of May 5,
2004
19
/
|
|
(2)
|
|
Class B Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as
of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Class C Distribution and Service Plan amended and restated as
of February 4, 2004
51
/
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 amended and restated as of December 16, 2010 (on behalf of Financial
Square Tax-Exempt California and Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds)
62
/
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Class R Distribution and Service Plan dated November 8, 2007
29
/
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
Cash Management Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule
12b-1 dated February 11, 2010 (on behalf of the remaining Financial Square
Funds)
64
/
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
Resource Shares Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1
dated February 11, 2010
64
/
|
|
(n)
|
|
(1)
|
|
Plan in Accordance with Rule 18f-3, amended and restated as of December 1,
2010
62
/
|
|
|
(p)
|
|
(1)
|
|
Code of Ethics Goldman Sachs Trust, Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance
Trust and Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund dated April 23, 1997, as amended
effective March 12, 2009
36
/
|
|
(2)
|
|
Code of Ethics Goldman, Sachs & Co., Goldman Sachs Asset
Management, L.P., Goldman Sachs Asset Management International, Goldman Sachs
Hedge Fund Strategies LLC and GS Investment Strategies, LLC dated January 23,
1991, effective November 17, 2010
62
/
|
|
(q)
|
|
(1)
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Messrs. Bakhru, Coblentz, Shuch and Strubel
23
/
|
|
(2)
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Ms. Daniels and Ms. Palmer
65
/
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
Power of Attorney for James A. McNamara
66
/
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Power of Attorney for George F. Travers
34
/
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Donald C. Burke and Joseph P. LoRusso
67
/
|
|
|
|
1
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 14, 1997.
|
|
2
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 16, 1997.
|
|
3
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 13, 1998.
|
|
|
|
4
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed October 1, 1998.
|
|
5
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1998.
|
|
6
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 12, 1999.
|
|
7
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 16, 1999.
|
|
8
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed September 16, 1999.
|
|
9
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 1999.
|
|
10
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 23, 2000.
|
|
11
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 3, 2000.
|
|
12
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 22, 2000.
|
|
13
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 13, 2001.
|
|
14
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2001.
|
|
15
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 11, 2002.
|
|
16
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 19, 2003.
|
|
17
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2003.
|
|
18
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-14
relating to the Registrants acquisition of the Golden Oak
®
Family of Funds
(Acquisition), SEC File No. 333-117561, filed July 22, 2004.
|
|
19
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2004.
|
|
20
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 17, 2005.
|
|
21
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 7, 2005.
|
|
22
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 26, 2006.
|
|
|
|
23
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 2005.
|
|
24
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 23, 2006.
|
|
25
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 18, 2006.
|
|
26
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 21, 2006.
|
|
27
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed June 12, 2007.
|
|
28
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 162 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 811-05349, filed August 14, 2007.
|
|
29
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 27, 2007.
|
|
30
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 18, 2008.
|
|
31
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 205 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2008.
|
|
32
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 27, 2008.
|
|
33
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 217 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2009.
|
|
34
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 24, 2009.
|
|
35
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2010.
|
|
36
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 30, 2010.
|
|
37
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 261 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 3, 2010.
|
|
38
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 270 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 16, 2011.
|
|
|
39
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2011.
|
|
40
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 290 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 12, 2011.
|
|
41
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 16, 2011.
|
|
|
|
|
42
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 292 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 23, 2011.
|
|
43
/
|
|
Article II, Section 10, Article IV, Section 3, Article V, Article VI, Article VII,
Article IX, Section 8 and Section 9 of the Registrants Agreement and Declaration of Trust
incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit (a)(1) and Article III of the Registrants Amended
and Restated By-Laws incorporated by reference as Exhibit (b)(3).
|
|
44
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 25, 1998.
|
|
45
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 29, 2008.
|
|
46
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 311 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 27, 2012.
|
|
47
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed June 13, 2003.
|
|
48
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 1995.
|
|
49
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 1, 1999.
|
|
50
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 15, 2002.
|
|
51
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed February 24, 2004.
|
|
52
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 218 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 30, 2009.
|
|
53
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 233 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 28, 2009.
|
|
54
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 229 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 24, 2009.
|
|
55/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 277 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 5, 2011.
|
|
56
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 279 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 28, 2011.
|
|
57/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment
No. 304 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File. No. 33-17619, filed
January 25, 2011.
|
|
58/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File. No. 33-17619, filed July 28, 2009.
|
|
59
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 10, 2007.
|
|
60
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed April 28, 2008.
|
|
61
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed July 29, 2010.
|
|
|
|
62
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed December 29, 2010.
|
|
63
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed January 19, 2007.
|
|
64
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 245 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed May 14, 2010.
|
|
65
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 10, 2007.
|
|
66
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed November 9, 2007.
|
|
67
/
|
|
Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Registrants
registration statement, SEC File No. 33-17619, filed August 26, 2010.
|
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of the Registrant, wholly owns and controls
Goldman Sachs Cayman Commodity Fund, Ltd. (the Cayman Subsidiary), a company organized under the
laws of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Subsidiarys financial statements will be included on a
consolidated basis in the Commodity Strategy Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Goldman Sachs India Equity Fund, also a series of the Registrant, wholly owns and controls
Goldman Sachs Mauritius India Equity Fund Ltd (the Mauritius Subsidiary), a company organized
under the laws of the Republic of Mauritius. The Mauritius Subsidiarys financial statements will
be included on a consolidated basis in the India Equity Funds annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders.
Item 30. Indemnification
Article IV of the Declaration of Trust of Goldman Sachs Trust, a Delaware statutory trust,
provides for indemnification of the Trustees, officers and agents of the Trust, subject to certain
limitations. The Declaration of Trust is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(1).
The Management Agreements (other than the Management Agreements on behalf of the Financial
Square Tax-Exempt California and Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York Funds and the Short Duration
Government Fund) provide that the applicable Investment Adviser will not be liable for any error of
judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Fund, except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment Adviser or from reckless
disregard by the Investment Adviser of its obligations or duties under the Management Agreements.
Section 7 of the Management Agreements on behalf of the Financial Square Tax-Exempt California,
Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York, and Short Duration Government Funds provides that the
Financial Square Tax-Exempt California, Financial Square Tax-Exempt New York, and Short Duration
Government Funds will indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities; provided, however, that
such indemnification does not apply to any loss by reason of its willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence or the Advisers reckless disregard of its obligation under the Management
Agreements. The Management Agreements are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (d)(1) through
(d)(7).
Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Goldman Sachs dated April
30, 1997, as amended, and Section 7 of the Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and
Goldman, Sachs & Co. dated August 9, 2007 provides that the Registrant will indemnify Goldman,
Sachs & Co. against certain liabilities. Copies of the Distribution Agreement and the Transfer
Agency Agreement are incorporated by reference as Exhibits (e)(1) and (h)(4) respectively, to the
Registrants Registration Statement.
Mutual fund and trustees and officers liability policies purchased jointly by the Registrant,
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust and Goldman Sachs Credit Strategies Fund insure such persons
and their respective
trustees, partners, officers and employees, subject to the policies coverage limits and exclusions
and varying deductibles, against loss resulting from claims by reason of any act, error, omission,
misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM LP) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management
International (GSAMI) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and serve as
investment advisers to the Registrant. Set forth below are the names, businesses and business
addresses of certain managing directors of GSAM LP and GSAMI who are engaged in any other business,
profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position with
|
|
Name and Address of Other
|
|
Connection with
|
the Investment Advisers
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|
Company
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Other Company
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Lloyd
C. Blankfein
Managing Director-
GSAM LP
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
|
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
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Managing Director
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|
|
|
|
|
John
S. Weinberg
Managing Director-
GSAM LP
|
|
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
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|
Vice Chairman
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|
|
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|
|
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Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282
|
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Managing Director
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Item 32. Principal Underwriters
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(a)
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|
Goldman, Sachs & Co. or an affiliate or a division thereof currently serves as
distributor for shares of Goldman Sachs Trust and for shares of Goldman Sachs Variable
Insurance Trust. Goldman, Sachs & Co., or a division thereof currently serves as
administrator and distributor of the units or shares of The Commerce Funds.
|
|
|
(b)
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|
Set forth below is certain information pertaining to the Managing Directors of
Goldman, Sachs & Co., the Registrants principal underwriter, who are members of The
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.s Management Committee. None of the members of the management
committee holds a position or office with the Registrant.
|
GOLDMAN SACHS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
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|
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Name and Principal
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|
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Business Address
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|
Position with Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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Lloyd C. Blankfein (1)
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|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Alan M. Cohen (1)
|
|
Global Head of Compliance, Managing Director
|
Gary D. Cohn (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal
|
|
|
Business Address
|
|
Position with Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
Christopher A. Cole (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Edith Cooper (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Gordon E. Dyal (2)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Isabelle Ealet (3)
|
|
Managing Director
|
J. Michael Evans (4)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Richard A. Friedman (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Richard J. Gnodde (2)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Eric S. Lane (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Gwen R. Libstag (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Masanori Mochida (5)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Timothy J. ONeill (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Gregory K. Palm (1)
|
|
General Counsel and Managing Director
|
John F.W. Rogers (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
David C. Ryan (6)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Pablo J. Salame (3)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Stephen M. Scherr (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Jeffrey W. Schroeder (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Harvey M. Schwartz (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Michael S. Sherwood (3)
|
|
Managing Director
|
David M. Solomon (4)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Esta Stecher (4)
|
|
General Counsel and Managing Director
|
Steven H. Strongin (4)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Ashok Varadhan (1)
|
|
Managing Director
|
David A. Viniar (4)
|
|
Managing Director
|
John S. Weinberg (4)
|
|
Managing Director
|
Yoel Zaoui (2)
|
|
Managing Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
200 West Street, New York, NY 10282
|
|
(2)
|
|
Peterborough Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BB, England
|
|
(3)
|
|
River Court, 120 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2QQ, England
|
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(4)
|
|
Cheung Kong Center, 68
th
Floor, 2 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong, China
|
|
(5)
|
|
12-32, Akasaka I-chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 107-6006, Japan
|
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(6)
|
|
1 Raffles Link, #07-01 South Lobby, Singapore 039393
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Not Applicable.
|
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Amended and Restated By-laws and minute books of the
Registrant and certain investment adviser records are in the physical possession of GSAM LP, 200
West Street, New York, New York 10282. All other accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained under Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated
thereunder are in the physical possession of State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street
Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, except for certain transfer agency records which are
maintained by Goldman, Sachs & Co., 71 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements
for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 312 under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933
and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 312 to its Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City and State of
New York on the 27
th
day of February, 2012.
GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST
(A Delaware statutory trust)
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
|
|
|
|
|
Peter V. Bonanno
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to said
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
1
James A. McNamara
James A. McNamara
|
|
President (Chief
Executive Officer)
and Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
George F. Travers
George F. Travers
|
|
Principal Financial
Officer and
Senior
Vice President
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Ashok N. Bakhru
Ashok N. Bakhru
|
|
Chairman and Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Donald C. Burke
Donald C. Burke
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
John P. Coblentz, Jr.
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Diana M. Daniels
Diana M. Daniels
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Joseph P. LoRusso
Joseph P. LoRusso
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Jessica Palmer
Jessica Palmer
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Alan A. Shuch
Alan A. Shuch
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
1
Richard P. Strubel
Richard P. Strubel
|
|
Trustee
|
|
February 27, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
Peter V. Bonanno,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attorney-In-Fact
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Pursuant to powers of attorney previously filed.
|
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned Secretary for Goldman Sachs Trust (the Trust) hereby certifies that the Board of
Trustees of the Trust duly adopted the following resolution at a meeting of the Board held on June
16, 2011.
RESOLVED
, that the Trustees and Officers of the Trust who may be required to execute any
amendments to the Trusts Registration Statement be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute a
power of attorney appointing Peter V. Bonanno and James A. McNamara, jointly and severally, their
attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, for said Trustees and Officers in any and all
capacities to sign the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940 of the Trust and any and all amendments to such Registration Statement, and to
file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC,
the Trustees and Officers hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact,
or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or may have caused to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated:
February 27, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Peter V. Bonanno
|
|
|
Peter V. Bonanno,
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
(g)(46)
|
|
Letter Amendment dated December 14, 2011 to the Custodian
Agreement dated June 30, 2006 between Registrant and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. (Goldman Sachs Managed Futures Strategy Fund)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP
|