SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X] Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ] Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 [X] and REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X] Amendment No. 63 [X] ----------------- |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number: 1-877-244-1544
c/o Investors Bank & Trust Company
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
With a copy to:
Leonard A. Pierce
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[_] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] on April 30, 2007 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[_] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[_] on - pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485
[_] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
[_] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[_] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
BOND INDEX FUND
S&P 500 STOCK FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objectives . 1 Summary of Principal 2 Investment Strategies Summary of Principal 3 Risk Factors Investment Returns .... 5 Fees and Expenses ..... 7 A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies ............ 8 A Further Discussion 9 of Principal Risk Factors Management of the 12 Funds Shareholder 14 Information Financial Highlights .. 20 |
Investment Objectives(1)
BOND INDEX FUND
The Bond Index Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the
total return performance of fixed-income securities in the aggregate, as
represented by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index.(2) The Fund's
investment objective may be changed by its Board of Trustees without
shareholder approval.
S&P 500 STOCK FUND(3)
The S&P 500 Stock Fund seeks to approximate as closely as practicable, before fees and expenses, the capitalization- weighted total rate of return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500 Index").
Summary of Principal Investment Strategies
BOND INDEX FUND
The Bond Index Fund pursues its investment objective by seeking to match the
total return performance of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index, which is
composed of approximately 8,600 fixed income securities. The fixed income
securities that comprise the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index include U.S.
government securities and investment grade corporate bonds, as well as
mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial
mortgage-backed securities. The Fund invests in a representative sample of
these securities. Securities are selected for investment by the Fund in
accordance with their relative proportion within the Lehman Brothers U.S.
Aggregate Index as well as based on credit quality, issuer sector, maturity
structure, coupon rates and callability, among other factors. BGFA, the
investment adviser to the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests, considers
investments that provide substantially similar exposure to securities in the
Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index to be investments comprising the Bond
Index Fund's benchmark index.
S&P 500 STOCK FUND
The S&P 500 Stock Fund pursues its investment objective by seeking to replicate the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index, which is composed of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). The S&P 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares (I.E., they are weighted according to the public float which is the total market value of their outstanding shares readily available to the general marketplace for trading purposes). The percentage of the Fund's assets invested in a given stock is approximately the same as the percentage such stock represents in the S&P 500 Index.
BOND INDEX FUND AND S&P 500 STOCK FUND
No attempt is made to manage the Funds using economic, financial and market analysis. Each Fund is managed by determining which securities are to be purchased or sold to reflect, to the extent feasible, the investment characteristics of its respective benchmark index. Under normal circumstances, at least 90% of the value of each Fund's assets, plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes, is invested in securities comprising such Fund's benchmark index, which, for the Bond Index Fund, are considered "bonds." Each Fund may also invest in high-quality money market instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BGFA.
Summary of Principal Risk Factors
As with any investment, your investment in the Funds could lose money or the Funds' performance could trail that of other investments.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE BOND INDEX FUND
The value of your investment in the Bond Index Fund is based on the value of the bonds in which the Fund invests. The value of the bonds may fall because of a rise in interest rates or in response to economic events or trends. The value of individual bonds may fall with the decline in an issuer's real or apparent ability to meet its financial obligations. An issuer of a bond may be unable to make interest payments or repay principal on time and the bond could lose all or some of its value, or pay less interest.
Borrowers may prepay their mortgages or loans faster than expected (which is commonly referred to as "prepayment risk"), thereby affecting the security's average life and potentially its yield. Borrowers may extend the repayment of their mortgages or loans for longer periods than expected (which is commonly referred to as "extension risk"), thereby affecting the security's average life and potentially its yield. Prepayment risk and extension risk are particularly applicable to mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in which the Bond Index Fund may invest.
BGFA makes no attempt to select securities individually, based on their fundamental characteristics, because the Bond Index Fund is managed by determining which securities are to be purchased or sold to maintain, to the extent feasible, a representative sample of securities in the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. The performance of the securities that BGFA selects may not match the performance of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index.
As with all mutual funds, the Bond Index Fund must maintain cash balances to meet redemption requests, which may lower its overall performance.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE S&P 500 STOCK FUND
The value of your investment in the S&P 500 Stock Fund is based on the values of the stocks in which the Fund invests. The values of stocks may fall in response to economic events or trends. The values of individual stocks may fall with the decline in an issuer's financial condition or prospects.
BGFA makes no attempt to select securities individually, based on their fundamental characteristics, because the S&P 500 Stock Fund is managed by determining which securities are to be purchased or sold to replicate, to the extent feasible, the S&P 500 Index.
As with all mutual funds, the S&P 500 Stock Fund must maintain cash balances to meet redemption requests, which may lower its overall performance.
An investment in the Bond Index Fund or the S&P 500 Stock Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUNDS
The Funds are designed for investors who desire a convenient way to invest either in bonds issued in the United States (the Bond Index Fund) or a broad spectrum of U.S. large-cap stocks (the S&P 500 Stock Fund). Although these markets have increased in value over the long-term, they fluctuate and have also decreased in value over shorter time periods. This volatility is particularly characteristic of stocks.
The Funds do not by themselves constitute a balanced investment program. Diversifying your investments by buying shares in both Funds or in other funds may improve your long-term return as well as reduce volatility.
For additional information on risks, see the "A Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors" section of this Prospectus.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks
of investing in the Funds by showing the changes in their performance from year
to year. The bar charts show the return of each Fund for each of the last 10
calendar years. The average annual total return table (before and after taxes)
compares each Fund's average annual total return to those of a corresponding
index for various periods of time. How the Funds have performed in the past
(before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Funds will
perform in the future.
BOND INDEX FUND
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 9.77% 1998 9.34% 1999 -2.69% 2000 11.76% 2001 8.80% 2002 9.90% 2003 3.92% 2004 4.05% 2005 2.12% 2006 4.76% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 5.05% in the 3rd quarter of 1998; the worst was -2.50% in the 2nd quarter of 2004.
S&P 500 STOCK FUND
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 33.07% 1998 28.41% 1999 20.59% 2000 -9.34% 2001 -12.11% 2002 -22.20% 2003 28.37% 2004 10.67% 2005 4.72% 2006 15.60% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 21.31% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -17.29% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ---------- --------- --------- BOND INDEX FUND Return Before Taxes 4.76% 4.92% 6.08% Return After Taxes on 2.89% 3.00% 3.78% Distributions(1) Return After Taxes on 3.06% 3.06% 3.78% Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares(1) LEHMAN BROTHERS U.S. AGGREGATE INDEX (reflects no deduction 4.33% 5.06% 6.24% for fees, expenses or taxes) S&P 500 STOCK FUND Return Before Taxes 15.60% 6.00% 8.19% Return After Taxes on 15.06% 5.59% 6.94 % Distributions(1) Return After Taxes on 10.48% 5.01 % 6.65% Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares(1) S&P 500 INDEX (reflects no deduction 15.79% 6.19% 8.42 % for fees, expenses or taxes) |
(1)After-tax returns in the table above are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares are calculated assuming that an investor has sufficient capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any capital losses from the sale of Fund shares. As a result, Fund returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed Fund returns before taxes and/or returns after taxes on distributions.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares in either the Bond Index Fund or the S&P 500 Stock Fund. This table does not reflect charges that may be imposed in connection with an account in which you hold the shares. A broker-dealer or financial institution maintaining the account in which you hold shares may charge a separate account, service or transaction fee on the purchase or sale of Fund shares that would be in addition to the fees and expenses shown here.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Fund Assets)
BOND INDEX S&P 500 FUND STOCK FUND ------------ ----------- Management fees 0.08% 0.05% Other expenses 0.18% 0.16% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(1)) Total annual Fund 0.26% 0.21% operating expenses(1), (2) Less fee waivers and/or (0.03)% (0.01)% expense reimbursements(1) Net expenses(1), (2), (3) 0.23% 0.20% |
(1)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Funds and the Master Portfolios that are allocated to the Funds. BGI and BGFA, as applicable, have contractually agreed to reimburse, or provide offsetting credits to, the Funds and the Master Portfolios for Independent Expenses through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such contractual arrangements, Independent Expenses will be 0.00%.
(2) Total annual Fund operating expenses in the above table and the following example reflect the expenses of both the Funds and the Master Portfolios in which they invest.
(3)The Funds' service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees or reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this table does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in shares of the Funds with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in shares of each Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods and that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waiver with BGFA and BGI is in effect for two years.
THE FUNDS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Bond Index Fund $24 $77 $140 $325 S&P 500 Stock Fund $20 $66 $116 $266 |
A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies
Each Fund attempts to achieve, in both rising and falling markets, a correlation of at least 95% between the total return of its net assets before fees and expenses and the total return of the Fund's benchmark index. Notwithstanding the factors described below, perfect (100%) correlation would be achieved if the total return of a Fund's net assets increased or decreased exactly as the total return of the Fund's benchmark index increased or decreased. A Fund's ability to match its investment performance to the investment performance of its benchmark index may be affected by, among other things, the Fund's expenses, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Fund, the manner in which the total return of the Fund's benchmark index is calculated; the size of the Fund's investment portfolio; and the timing, frequency and size of shareholder purchases and redemptions.
The S&P 500 Stock Fund seeks to replicate the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index by investing the Fund's assets so that the percentage of Fund assets invested in a given stock is approximately the same as the percentage such stock represents in the S&P 500 Index. The Bond Index Fund utilizes sampling techniques that are designed to allow the Fund to substantially duplicate the investment performance of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. However, the Bond Index Fund is not expected to track the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index with the same degree of accuracy that complete replication of the Index would provide. In addition, at times, the portfolio composition of each Fund may be altered (or "rebalanced") to reflect changes in the characteristics of the index that each Fund tracks.
Each Fund also may engage in futures and options transactions and other derivative securities transactions and lend its portfolio securities, each of which involves risk. Each Fund may use futures contracts, options and other derivative transactions to manage its short-term liquidity and/or as substitutes for comparable market positions in the securities in its benchmark index.
INVESTING IN INDEXES
Investors look to indexes as a standard of market performance. Indexes are model portfolios, that is, groups of stocks or bonds selected to represent an entire market or market segment. One way an index fund seeks to match an index's performance, before fees and expenses, is by buying and selling all of the index's securities in the same proportion as they are reflected in the index. This is what the S&P 500 Stock Fund does.
Since, as of April 2, 2007, there were over 8,600 securities included in the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index, as a practical matter, it would be inefficient for the Bond Index Fund to hold each security included in the Index. The Fund can, however, substantially replicate the Index's profile by holding a representative sample of the 8,600 securities. It may, for example, hold U.S. government obligations and corporate bonds in a similar proportion to the Index. And it can match certain Index features such as:
[] Average time to maturity for both government and corporate securities;
[] Securities' coupon rates, which are the interest rates securities pay based on their face values;
[] Economic sectors represented by securities;
[] Credit quality of securities; and
[] Whether or not securities are callable, which means the issuer has the right to repay principal and interest before maturity.
A Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors
In addition to the principal risks of investing described in "Principal Risk Factors", the Funds have the following risks.
EQUITY SECURITIES
The equity investments in which the S&P 500 Stock Fund generally invests are subject to equity market risk. Equity market risk is the possibility that common stock prices will fluctuate or decline over short or even extended periods. The U.S. stock market tends to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when prices generally decline. Different parts of the equity market and different types of equity securities, however, can fluctuate separately in response to issuer, political, market and economic developments.
DEBT SECURITIES
The debt instruments in which the Bond Index Fund generally invests are subject to credit and interest-rate risks. Credit risk is the risk that issuers of the debt instruments in which the Fund invests may default on the payment of principal and/or interest. Interest-rate risk is the risk that increases in market interest rates may adversely affect the value of the debt instruments in which the Fund invests. The value of the debt instruments generally changes inversely to changes in market interest rates. Changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the ratings of any particular security may also affect the value of these investments. The Fund's exposure to interest-rate risk will increase to the extent the Fund's assets are invested in long-term bonds, because the longer maturity of such securities means they are generally more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than short-term securities. Although some of the Fund's portfolio securities are guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to interest-rate risk and the market value of those securities will fluctuate. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), and the Federal Home Loan Banks ("FHLBs"), are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. The risks of mortgage pass-through securities, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities in which the Bond Index Fund invests are described below.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES
Mortgage pass-through securities are a category of pass-through securities backed by pools of mortgages and issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, or by one of several U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, such as FNMA, or FHLMC, or FHLBs. In the basic mortgage pass-through structure, mortgages with similar issuer, term and coupon characteristics are collected and aggregated into a "pool" consisting of multiple mortgage loans and undivided interests in the pool are traded and sold as pass-through securities. The holder of the security is entitled to a pro-rata share of principal and interest payments (including unscheduled prepayments) from the pool of mortgage loans.
A significant portion of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (recently, about 38%) represents the U.S. agency mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market. Therefore, a substantial portion of the Bond Index Fund is invested to seek exposure to a representative sample of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities. The portion of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index representing the mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market is comprised of multiple pools of mortgage pass-through securities.
An investment in a specific pool of pass-through securities requires an analysis of the specific prepayment risk of mortgages within the pool. The level of prepayments on a pool of mortgage securities is difficult to predict and can impact the subsequent cash flows and value of the mortgage pool. In addition, when trading specific mortgage pools, precise execution, delivery and settlement arrangements must be negotiated for each transaction. These factors
combine to make trading in mortgage pools somewhat cumbersome. The Bond Index Fund may obtain exposure to U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities primarily through the use of "to-be-announced" or "TBA transactions." "TBA" refers to a commonly used mechanism for the forward settlement of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities. The Bond Index Fund may use TBA transactions in several ways. It may regularly enter into TBA agreements and "roll over" such agreements prior to the stipulated settlement date. In addition, the Bond Index Fund may enter into TBA agreements and settle such transactions on the stipulated settlement date by accepting actual receipt or delivery of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities stipulated in the TBA agreement. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose the Bond Index Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. The use of "TBA rolls" may cause the Bond Index Fund to experience higher portfolio turnover and to pay higher capital gain distributions, which may result in larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to shareholders.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
Mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks besides interest-rate risk and credit risk that are common to all types of bonds. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk and extension risk, either of which can reduce the rate of return on a portfolio. Prepayment risk reflects the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages faster than expected, thereby affecting the investment's average life and perhaps its yield. Whether or not a mortgage loan is prepaid is almost entirely controlled by the borrower. Borrowers are most likely to exercise prepayment options at the time when it is least advantageous to investors, generally prepaying mortgages as interest rates fall, and slowing payments as interest rates rise. If the underlying mortgages are paid off sooner than expected, the Fund may have to reinvest the money in mortgage-backed or other securities that have lower yields. Conversely, extension risk is the risk that borrowers extend the repayment of their mortgages longer than expected, which also may affect the investment's average life and yield.
The Bond Index Fund may obtain exposure to mortgage-backed securities through the use of TBA transactions, which involve a commitment to deliver mortgage-backed securities at a future date. In the event of default of bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction, the Fund would be exposed to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage-backed securities specified in the TBA transaction.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The risks of investments in asset-backed securities by the Bond Index Fund are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying loans by the individual borrowers (I.E., the backing asset). For example, the underlying loans are subject to prepayment and extension risks, which shorten or lengthen the weighted average life of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in the same manner as described under "Mortgage-Backed Securities" risks above. Moreover, asset-backed securities typically do not have the benefit of the same direct security interest in the underlying collateral as do mortgage-backed securities. In addition, as purchasers of an asset-backed security, the Fund generally would have no recourse to the entity that originated the loans in the event of default by a borrower. If the credit enhancement of an asset-backed security held by the Fund has been exhausted, and, if any required payments of principal and interest are not made with respect to the underlying loans, the Fund may experience losses or delays in receiving payment.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
Investing in the securities of issuers in any foreign country, including through American Depositary Receipts and European Depositary Receipts, involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions; the possibility of nationalization, expropriation or potentially confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of
the ability to transfer currency from a country); and political, social and monetary or diplomatic developments that could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries. Additionally, amounts realized on foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes, including withholding taxes. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may exhibit greater price volatility. Additional costs associated with investments in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custodial arrangements. A Fund's performance may be affected either unfavorably or favorably by fluctuations in the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations, by exchange control regulations and by indigenous economic and political developments.
ISSUER-SPECIFIC CHANGES
Changes in the financial condition of an issuer, changes in specific economic or political conditions that affect a particular type of security or issuer, and changes in general economic or political conditions can affect the value of an issuer's securities.
SECURITIES SELECTION RISK
Because BGFA does not select individual companies in the index that each Fund tracks, the Funds may hold stock in companies that present risks that an investment adviser researching individual stocks might seek to avoid.
TRACKING ERROR RISK
Certain factors may affect BGFA's ability to achieve close correlation with the index that each Fund tracks, such as Fund fees and expenses, maintaining of cash balances to meet redemption requests, rounding of prices and changes to an index and regulatory policies. Therefore, the return of a Fund may deviate from the Fund's benchmark index.
OTHER INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The Funds may enter into transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, each of which involves risk. The futures contracts and options on futures contracts that the Funds may purchase may be considered derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived, at least in part, from the prices of other securities or specified assets, indexes or rates. Some derivatives may be more sensitive than direct securities to changes in interest rates or sudden market moves, which may have an adverse impact on the Funds' performance. Some derivatives also may be susceptible to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms. In addition, the Funds may be required to pay additional collateral to a counterparty in a derivative transaction, which may also have an adverse impact on the Funds' performance. In the event that the marked-to-market value of any over-the-counter derivative transaction(s) entered into by the Funds gives rise to negative exposure (that is, if the relevant derivative transaction(s) were to be terminated, the Funds would owe money to the counterparty), the Funds may be required to post collateral to its counterparty in order to reduce or eliminate that negative exposure, which may have an adverse impact on the Funds' performance.
CONCENTRATION
Each Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) to approximately the same extent that its benchmark index concentrates in a particular industry. To the extent a Fund concentrates in a particular industry, it may be more susceptible to economic conditions and risks affecting that industry.
FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUNDS' MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS AND A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUNDS' COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
Management of the Funds
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio
that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and
policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as
investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the
Master Portfolios' assets and provides the Master Portfolios with investment
guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management,
subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its
services to the Master Portfolios, BGFA is entitled to receive advisory fees at
the following annual rates, which are percentages of the applicable Master
Portfolio's average daily net assets.
ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY FUND FEE RATE ------------------- -------------------- Bond Index Fund 0.08% S&P 500 Stock Fund 0.05% |
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
BOND INDEX FUND
Lee Sterne and John Sulski (the "Bond Index Portfolio Managers") are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Bond Index Master Portfolio. Each Bond Index Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of his team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategies, researching and reviewing investment strategies, and overseeing members of his portfolio management team with more limited responsibilities, but each Bond Index Portfolio Manager has appropriate limitations on his authority for risk management and compliance purposes.
Mr. Sterne is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Bond Index Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Bond Index Master Portfolio since August 1996.
Mr. Sulski is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Bond Index Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Bond Index Master Portfolio since October 2006. Mr. Sulski has been a portfolio manager and credit trader with BGFA and BGI since June 2004. Prior to joining BGI, Mr. Sulski received a Master's of Financial Engineering from the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley, which he attended from 2003 to 2004. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Sulski was employed by Collabnet, Inc. as an Information Technology Consultant, and prior to that he was employed by Consilent, Inc. as Director of the Professional Services Group from 2000 to 2002.
S&P 500 STOCK FUND
Patrick O'Connor and S. Jane Leung (the "S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers") are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio. Each S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of his or her team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategies, researching and reviewing investment strategies, and overseeing members of his or her portfolio management team with more limited responsibilities, but each S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Manager has appropriate limitations on his or her authority for risk management and compliance purposes.
Mr. O'Connor is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio since September 1999.
Ms. Leung is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio since September 2006. Ms. Leung has been a portfolio manager for BGFA and BGI since 2001.
The Funds' SAI provides additional information about the Bond Index Portfolio Managers' and the S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers' compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares in the Funds that invest in the Master Portfolios for which they are portfolio managers.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Funds' Administrator:
[] Supervise the Funds' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Funds.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net assets of each Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Funds, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Funds' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Funds' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase Fund shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an IRA;
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the Funds' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the Funds' Shareholder Servicing Agents; or
[] Initially invest a minimum of $1 million directly through IBT (in certain situations this minimum initial investment may be reduced or waived; please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT for more information).
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Fund shares that differ from those of the Funds, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another 401(k) plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any day the Funds are open (a "Business Day") to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and any day on which the NYSE is closed for regular trading.
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Funds generally remit the proceeds from a sale the next Business Day after receiving a properly executed order to sell and no longer than seven business days after the sale. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds up to seven days, as permitted under applicable law. Each Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds, which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your shares. For example, a Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares as provided from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its corresponding Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a Fund can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Numbers:
1062 (Bond Index Fund)
1072 (S&P 500 Stock Fund)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day. IBT will employ procedures designed to
confirm that your order is valid. These may include asking for identifying
information and recording the phone call. Neither IBT nor the Funds may be
held liable for acting on telephone instructions that IBT reasonably believes
to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds directly to your designated bank
account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your Fund's number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
CALCULATING THE FUNDS' SHARE PRICE
Each Fund's share price (also known as a Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each Fund's NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day. If the NYSE closes early, the time for calculating each Fund's NAV and the deadline for share transactions will be accelerated to the earlier closing time. The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Funds' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments, including a description of the circumstances in which the Master Portfolios' investments would be valued using fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
The S&P 500 Stock Fund makes distributions of its net investment income to investors every quarter. The Bond Index Fund makes distributions of its net investment income to shareholders every month. The Funds distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by a Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Fund, unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
Each Fund invests only in interests of its Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing. The Bond Index Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy pursuant to which BGI monitors for possible market timing activity in the Bond Index Master Portfolio. Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying market timing activity, there can be no assurance that BGI will identify all trades and trading practices that are market timing activity. BGI, however, monitors aggregate trades and seeks to work with intermediaries to address potential market timing activity that has a significant effect on the performance of the Bond Index Master Portfolio, and restrict or eliminate such activity where possible. The Bond Index Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the Bond Index Master Portfolio are aggregated, and the process of aggregation is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the Bond Index Master Portfolio's investment strategies.
The S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing activity because the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities that are valued as of the same time that the net asset value of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio is calculated (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), which eliminates the potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio's holdings and the reflection of that change in the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio's net asset values. The S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio are aggregated, and the process of aggregation is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio's investment strategies.
The Funds' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, as described in the preceding paragraphs, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
BGI's ability to monitor trades that are placed by participants in plans that are shareholders in the Funds or other shareholders in the Funds that are trading through omnibus accounts maintained by intermediaries has been severely limited because BGI has not been receiving transaction information showing individual investment decisions. Upon request by the Funds, intermediaries are required to provide certain transaction information that may enable the Funds to identify trading activity that is potentially harmful to the Funds. The Funds may, but do not have the obligation to, respond to any potentially harmful trading activity that is identified. In the event any potentially harmful trading activity is identified, responses may include the imposition of trading restrictions, the rejection of purchases, or such other steps the Funds determine are appropriate. Intermediaries' ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of their clients may, however, be affected by legal or technological limitations.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and on your tax rate and the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you. Normally, distributions are taxable to you when paid. However, when distributions are declared in the last three months of a year and paid in January of the next year, they are as if paid on December 31 of the prior year.
Distributions from the Funds generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- Qualified dividend Qualified dividend income(1)(2) income Other income ............ Ordinary income(2) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(3) |
(2) A portion of distributions paid to corporate shareholders of the S&P 500 Index Fund may qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporations, but none of the distributions of the Bond Index Fund is expected to qualify for such deductions.
(3)An individual's net long-term capital gain is subject to a reduced, maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate. Absent further legislation, this reduced 15% maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain is scheduled to expire after December 31, 2008.
In addition, if you sell your Fund shares you generally will have a taxable capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell. In certain circumstances, a loss on the sale may be disallowed.
TRANSACTION TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- You sell shares owned Long-term capital gain or loss for more than one year You sell shares owned Short-term capital gain or loss for one year or less |
If you buy a Fund's shares shortly before it makes a distribution, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in the distribution, which is subject to tax. Similarly, if you buy shares of a Fund that holds appreciated securities, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in a taxable distribution if and when the Fund sells the appreciated securities and distributes the realized gain on the sale. Each Fund has built up, or has the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation in its investments.
After the end of each year, the Funds will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Funds if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Funds do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the Funds.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Funds, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Funds' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a Fund's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the shares of each Fund for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of each Fund. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in shares of a given Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
BOND INDEX FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 9.64 $ 9.93 $ 10.02 $ 10.14 $ 9.76 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- BEGINNING OF YEAR INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.46 0.44 0.45 0.52 0.58 Net realized and (0.02) (0.23) ( 0.05) ( 0.13) 0.36 -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.44 0.21 0.40 0.39 0.94 -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.49) (0.50) ( 0.49) ( 0.51) ( 0.56) -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.49) (0.50) ( 0.49) ( 0.51) ( 0.56) -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 9.59 $ 9.64 $ 9.93 $ 10.02 $ 10.14 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= YEAR TOTAL RETURN 4.76% 2.12% 4.05% 3.92% 9.90% ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of year $103,592 $203,771 $217,013 $178,217 $96,281 (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(a) 0.23% 0.23% 0.23% 0.23% 0.23% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.26% n/a n/a n/a n/a reductions(a) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(a) 4.83% 4.42% 4.34% 4.09% 5.12% Portfolio turnover 57% 76% 148% 67% 118% rate(b) |
(a)These ratios include the Fund's share of net expenses charged to the
Master Portfolio.
(b) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund's Master Portfolio.
S&P 500 STOCK FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 150.07 $ 145.95 $ 134.74 $ 106.71 $ 139.28 -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- BEGINNING OF YEAR INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 3.04 2.66 3.51 1.86 0.48 Net realized and 20.11 4.07 10.69 28.06 ( 32.63) -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 23.15 6.73 14.20 29.92 ( 32.15) -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 3.68) ( 2.61) ( 2.99) ( 1.89) ( 0.40) Net realized gain - - - - ( 0.02) Return of capital ( 0.01) - - - - -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 3.69) ( 2.61) ( 2.99) ( 1.89) ( 0.42) -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 169.53 $ 150.07 $ 145.95 $ 134.74 $ 106.71 ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== YEAR TOTAL RETURN 15.60% 4.72% 10.67% 28.37% ( 22.20)% ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of year $270,407 $308,836 $440,365 $1,394,613 $945,499 (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(a) 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.21% n/a n/a n/a n/a reductions(a) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(a) 1.78% 1.69% 1.63% 1.59% 1.41% Portfolio turnover 14% 10% 14% 8% 12% rate(b) |
(a)These ratios include the Fund's share of net expenses charged to the
Master Portfolio.
(b) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund's Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available, without charge, upon request, by calling the number below. For more detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Funds, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Funds, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus. The annual and semi-annual reports discuss the Funds' holdings over the last fiscal year and the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds' performance.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Funds or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGIFunds@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-SP0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Statement of Additional Information
Dated May 1, 2007
Bond Index Fund
S&P 500 Stock Fund
Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust" or "BGIF") is an open-end, series investment management company. This combined Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") contains information about two funds of the Trust - the Bond Index Fund and S&P 500 Stock Fund (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds").
Each of the Bond Index Fund and S&P 500 Stock Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Bond Index Master Portfolio and S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio (each, a "Master Portfolio" and collectively, the "Master Portfolios"), respectively, of Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"), which have substantially similar investment objectives as the corresponding Fund. MIP is an open-end, series investment management company. Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA" or "Investment Adviser") serves as investment adviser to the Master Portfolio in which each Fund invests. References to the investments, investment policies and risks of the Funds, unless otherwise indicated, should be understood as references to the investments, investment policies and risks of the Master Portfolios.
This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds' current prospectus ("Prospectus"), also dated May 1, 2007. All terms used in this SAI that are defined in the Prospectus have the meanings assigned in the Prospectus. The audited financial statements for the Funds, which include the schedule of investments and report of the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, are hereby incorporated by reference to the Funds' annual report. The Prospectus and copies of the annual report may be obtained without charge by writing to Barclays Global Investors Funds, c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, or by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free), or e-mailing the Funds at BGIFUNDS@seic.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ----- History of the Trust 1 Description of the Funds and their 1 Investments and Risks Investment Objectives and 1 Policies Fundamental Investment 1 Restrictions Non-Fundamental Investment 2 Restrictions Fundamental Investment 3 Restrictions of the Master Portfolios Non-Fundamental Restrictions of 3 the Master Portfolios Investments and Risks of the 4 Master Portfolios Asset-Backed Securities and 4 Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Bonds 4 Borrowing 5 Equity Securities 5 Floating- and Variable-Rate 5 Obligations Forward Commitments, 5 When-Issued Purchases and Delayed-Delivery Transactions Futures Contracts and Options 5 Transactions Illiquid Securities 6 Interest-Rate and Index Swaps 6 Interest-Rate Futures Contracts 7 and Options on Interest-Rate Futures Contracts Investment Companies and 7 Exchange-Traded Funds Letters of Credit 7 Loans of Portfolio Securities 8 Mortgage Pass-Through Securities 8 Mortgage Securities 9 Municipal Securities 9 Repurchase Agreements 9 Restricted Securities 10 Reverse Repurchase Agreements 10 Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers 10 Short-Term Instruments 11 Stock Index Futures and Options 11 on Stock Index Futures Unrated, Downgraded and Below 11 Investment Grade Investments U.S. Government Obligations 12 Warrants 12 The S&P 500 Stock Fund and S&P 12 500 Index Master Portfolio Portfolio Holdings Information 13 Service Providers 13 |
PAGE ----- Third-Party Feeder Funds 13 Securities and Exchange 14 Commission Filings Other Public Disclosure 14 Approved Recipients 14 Management 14 Committees 16 Beneficial Equity Ownership 17 Information Ownership of Securities of 17 Certain Entities Compensation of Trustees 17 Master/Feeder Structure 18 Codes of Ethics 19 Proxy Voting Policies of the 19 Master Portfolios Shareholder Communications to 19 the Board of Trustees Control Persons and Principal 20 Holders of Securities Investment Adviser and Other 21 Service Providers Advisory Fees 21 Administrator 21 Shareholder Servicing Agents 22 Distributor 23 Custodian 23 Transfer and Dividend 23 Disbursing Agent Independent Registered Public 23 Accounting Firm Legal Counsel 23 Portfolio Managers 23 Determination of Net Asset Value 26 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing 27 of Shares Terms of Purchase and Redemption 27 In-Kind Purchases 27 Suspension of Redemption Rights 27 or Payment of Redemption Proceeds Portfolio Transactions 27 General 27 Portfolio Turnover 28 Brokerage Commissions 28 Brokerage Commissions Paid to 28 Affiliates Securities of Regular 28 Brokers-Dealers Frequent Trading in Fund Shares 29 Distributions and Taxes 29 |
PAGE ----- Qualification as a Regulated 30 Investment Company Excise Tax 31 Capital Loss Carry-Forwards 31 Equalization Accounting 31 Investment through Master 31 Portfolios Taxation of Fund Investments 31 Taxation of Distributions 33 Sales of Fund Shares 34 Foreign Taxes 35 Federal Income Tax Rates 35 Backup Withholding 35 Tax-Deferred Plans 35 Corporate Shareholders 35 Foreign Shareholders 35 Capital Stock 36 Voting 37 Dividends and Distributions 37 The Master Portfolios 37 Additional Information on the Funds 38 Financial Statements 38 Appendix A-1 |
History of the Trust
The Trust was organized on December 4, 2001 as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. On August 21, 2001, the Board of Directors of Barclays Global Investors Funds, Inc. (the "Company") approved a proposal to redomicile the Company from a Maryland corporation to a Delaware statutory trust (the "Redomiciling"). Shareholders of the Company approved the Redomiciling on November 16, 2001. The Trust was established with multiple series, including the Funds, corresponding to, and having identical designations as, the Company's series. The Redomiciling was effected on January 11, 2002, at which time the Trust assumed the operations of the Company and adopted the Company's registration statement. Shortly thereafter, the Company was dissolved.
The Trust consists of multiple series, including the Funds. The Trust's principal office is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Fund invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP (as shown below), which has the same or substantially same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the related Fund.
FUND MASTER PORTFOLIO IN WHICH THE FUND INVESTS -------------------------- ------------------------------------------- Bond Index Fund Bond Index Master Portfolio S&P 500 Stock Fund S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio |
Description of the Funds and their Investments and Risks
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES. The Trust is an open-end, series management investment company. Each Fund and Master Portfolio has adopted an investment objective and investment policies that may be fundamental or non-fundamental. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund or Master Portfolio, as the case may be. Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust or MIP (the "Trustees"), as the case may be, at any time.
The Funds and the Master Portfolios in which they invest are diversified funds as defined in the 1940 Act. Each Fund's investment objective is set forth in its Prospectus. The investment objective of the S&P 500 Stock Fund is fundamental, which means it cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The investment objective of the Bond Index Fund is non-fundamental, which means it can be changed by the Trust's board of trustees (the "Board of Trustees" or the "Board") without shareholder approval. The investment objective and investment policies of a Fund determine the types of portfolio securities in which the Fund invests, the degree of risk to which the Fund is subject and, ultimately, the Fund's performance. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of either Fund will be achieved.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Funds are subject to the following investment restrictions, all of which are fundamental policies. Each Fund may not:
(1) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the value of the Fund's investments in that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the Fund's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies, (ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and provided further that the Fund reserves the right to concentrate in any industry in which the index that the Fund tracks becomes concentrated to approximately the same degree during the same period;
(2) Purchase the securities of any single issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Fund's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's cash or cash items, investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other investment companies;
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder;
(4) Make loans to other parties, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans;
(5) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with the Fund's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting; and provided further, that the purchase by the Fund of securities issued by an open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund shall not constitute an underwriting for purposes of this paragraph;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business);
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, provided that: (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; and
(8) Purchase securities on margin (except for short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions and except for margin payments in connection with options, futures and options on futures) or make short sales of securities.
With respect to paragraph (3) above, the 1940 Act currently allows each Fund to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. With respect to paragraph (4) above, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations currently limit the percentage of each Fund's securities that may be loaned to one-third of the value of its total assets.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Funds have adopted the following investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies. These restrictions may be changed without shareholder approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust at any time.
(1) The Funds may invest in shares of other open-end management investment
companies, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act,
including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder;
provided, however, that a Fund, if it has knowledge that its beneficial
interests are purchased by another investment company investor pursuant to
Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, will not acquire any securities of
registered open-end management investment companies or registered unit
investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the
1940 Act. Other investment companies in which the Funds invest can be
expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory
and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by the
Funds.
(2) Each Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (i) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale, (ii) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that have maturities of more than seven days, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
(3) Each Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, in amounts not to exceed (in the aggregate) one-third of a Fund's total assets. Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked to market daily. The Funds will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.
(4) Each Fund may not purchase interests, leases, or limited partnership interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs.
(5) Each Fund may not write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, warrants, options or any combination thereof, except that a Fund may enter into futures and options contracts in accordance with its investment policies.
(6) Each Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice of any change to the Fund's non-fundamental policy to invest at least 90% of the value of the Fund's net assets, plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes, in securities comprising the index that the Fund tracks. The notice will be provided in plain English in a separate written document, and will contain the following prominent statement or similar statement in bold-face type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." This statement will appear on both the notice and the envelope in which it is
delivered, unless it is delivered separately from other communications to investors, in which case the statement will appear either on the notice or the envelope in which the notice is delivered.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction (whether or not fundamental), each Fund may (and does) invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective, policies and limitations as the Fund. See "Management - Master/Feeder Structure."
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The Master Portfolios are subject to the following investment restrictions, all of which are fundamental policies. These restrictions cannot be changed, as to a Master Portfolio, without approval by the holders of a majority (as described in the 1940 Act) of the Master Portfolio's outstanding voting interest. Each Master Portfolio may not:
(1) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the value of a Master Portfolio's investments in that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the Master Portfolio's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit a Master Portfolio's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies, (ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and provided further that the Master Portfolios reserve the right to concentrate in any industry in which the index that each respective Master Portfolio tracks becomes concentrated to approximately the same degree during the same period.
(2) Purchase the securities of any single issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of a Master Portfolio's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Master Portfolio's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit a Master Portfolio's cash or cash items, investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other investment companies.
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder.
(4) Make loans to other parties, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans.
(5) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with a Master Portfolio's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting; and provided further, that the purchase by the Master Portfolios of securities issued by an open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Master Portfolios shall not constitute an underwriting for purposes of this paragraph.
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Master Portfolios from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, provided that (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
(8) Purchase securities on margin, but each Master Portfolio may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to indexes, and options on futures contracts or indexes.
With respect to paragraph (3) above, the 1940 Act currently allows a Master Portfolio to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. With respect to paragraph (4) above, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations currently limit the percentage of a Master Portfolio's securities that may be loaned to one-third of the value of its total assets.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS.
(1) Each Master Portfolio may invest in shares of other open-end management investment companies, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder; provided, however, that a Master Portfolio, if it has knowledge that its beneficial interests are purchased by another investment
company investor pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, will not acquire any securities of registered open-end management investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. Other investment companies in which the Master Portfolios invest can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by the Master Portfolios.
(2) Each Master Portfolio may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among
others, (i) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a
readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale,
(ii) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that
have maturities of more than seven days, and (iii) repurchase agreements not
terminable within seven days.
(3) Each Master Portfolio may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, in amounts not to exceed (in the aggregate) one-third of the Master Portfolio's total assets. Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked to market daily. The Master Portfolios will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.
(4) Each Master Portfolio may not purchase interests, leases, or limited partnership interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs.
(5) Each Master Portfolio will provide interestholders with at least 60 days'
notice of any change to the Master Portfolio's non-fundamental policy to
invest at least 90% of the value of the Master Portfolio's net assets, plus
the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes, in securities
comprising the index that the Master Portfolio tracks. The notice will be
provided in plain English in a separate written document, and will contain
the following prominent statement or similar statement in bold-face type:
"Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." This statement
will appear on both the notice and the envelope in which it is delivered,
unless it is delivered separately from other communications to investors, in
which case the statement will appear either on the notice or the envelope in
which the notice is delivered.
Investments and Risks of the Master Portfolios
The Master Portfolios in which the Funds invest may invest in the securities described below. To avoid the need to refer to both the Funds and the Master Portfolios in every instance, references in the following sections to the Funds generally include the Funds and the Master Portfolios.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES AND COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. The Bond Index Fund may invest in asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by installment contracts, credit-card receivables or other assets. Commercial mortgage-backed securities are securities backed by commercial real estate properties. Both asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of assets in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are made on a regular basis. The payments are, in effect, "passed through" to the holder of the securities (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). The average life of asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities varies with the maturities of the underlying instruments and, as a result of prepayments or extensions, can often be shorter or longer (as the case may be) than the original maturity of the assets underlying the securities. For this and other reasons, an asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed security's stated maturity may be shortened or extended, and the security's total return may be difficult to predict precisely.
BONDS. The Bond Index Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in U.S. registered, dollar-denominated bonds. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company or governmental unit. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond's face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date. An issuer may have the right to redeem or "call" a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a "coupon" rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bond's yield (income as a percent of the bond's current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of "floating-rate" or "variable-rate" bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. See "Floating- and Variable-Rate Obligations" below. The Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation's earnings and assets and, in the event
of liquidation, are paid before subordinated debt. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer's general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).
BORROWING. Each Fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes,
including the meeting of redemption requests. Borrowing involves special risk
considerations. Interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market
rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on
borrowed funds (or on the assets that were retained rather than sold to meet
the needs for which funds were borrowed). Under adverse market conditions, a
Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal
payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales.
Reverse repurchase agreements, short sales not against the box, dollar roll
transactions and other similar investments that involve a form of leverage
(I.E., risk of gain or loss disproportionately higher than the amount invested)
have characteristics similar to borrowings. The Master Portfolios segregate
liquid assets in connection with those types of transactions.
EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. The market price of equity securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally, particular industries, sectors or geographic regions represented in those markets, or individual issuers. The types of developments that may affect an issuer of an equity security include management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods or services. Common and preferred stock represent equity or ownership interests in an issuer. Preferred stock, however, pays dividends at a specified rate and has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
FLOATING- AND VARIABLE-RATE OBLIGATIONS. Each Fund may purchase floating- and variable-rate obligations. The Funds may purchase floating- and variable-rate demand notes and bonds, which are obligations ordinarily having stated maturities in excess of 13 months, but which permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any time, or at specified intervals not exceeding 13 months. Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes. Master demand notes are obligations that permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate from time to time. The issuer of such obligations ordinarily has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days' notice to the holders of such obligations. The interest rate on a floating-rate demand obligation is based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable-rate demand obligation is adjusted automatically at specified intervals. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks.
These obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower. There may not be an established secondary market for these obligations, although they are redeemable at face value. Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, a Fund's right to redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and the Funds may invest in obligations that are not so rated only if BGFA determines that at the time of investment the obligations are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Funds may invest. BGFA considers on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuers of the floating- and variable-rate demand obligations in each Fund's portfolio.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED PURCHASES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS.
Each Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time. Securities purchased or sold on a
when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis involve a risk of
loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines, or the value of the
security to be sold increases, before the settlement date. Although a Fund will
generally purchase securities with the intention of acquiring them, a Fund may
dispose of securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or a forward
commitment basis before settlement when deemed appropriate by BGFA.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. Each Fund may enter into futures contracts and may purchase and write (I.E., sell) options thereon. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties, a buyer and a seller, to exchange a particular commodity or financial instrument at a specific price on a specific date in the future. An option transaction generally involves a right, which may or may not be exercised, to buy or sell a commodity or financial instrument at a particular price on a specified future date. Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities or currencies except that options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Futures
contracts and options are standardized and traded on exchanges, where the exchange serves as the ultimate counterparty for all contracts. Consequently, the primary credit risk on futures contracts is the creditworthiness of the exchange. Futures contracts are also subject to market risk (I.E., exposure to adverse price changes). In addition, in employing futures contracts as a hedge against cash market price volatility, futures prices may correlate imperfectly with the prices of securities held by a Fund. Similarly, in employing futures contracts as a substitute for purchasing the designated underlying securities, the performance of the futures contract may correlate imperfectly with the performance of the direct investments for which the futures contract is a substitute.
Each Fund may engage only in futures contract transactions involving: (i) the sale of a futures contract (I.E., a short position) to hedge the value of securities held by the Fund; (ii) the purchase of a futures contract when the Fund holds a short position having the same delivery month (I.E., a long position offsetting a short position); or (iii) the purchase of a futures contract to permit the Fund to, in effect, participate in the market for the designated securities underlying the futures contract without actually owning such designated securities. If a Fund enters into a short position in a futures contract as a hedge against anticipated adverse market movements and the market then rises, the increase in the value of the hedged securities will be offset, in whole or in part, by a loss on the futures contract. If, instead, a Fund purchases a futures contract as a substitute for investing in the designated underlying securities, the Fund will experience gains or losses that correspond generally to gains or losses in the underlying securities.
Although each Fund intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular contract at any particular time. Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting a Fund to substantial losses. If it is not possible, or if a Fund determines not to close a futures position in anticipation of adverse price movements, the Fund will be required to make daily cash payments on variation margin.
Upon the exercise of an option on a futures contract, the writer of the option delivers to the holder of the option the futures position and the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of options on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed at the time of sale, there are no daily cash payments to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option may change daily and that change would be reflected in the net asset value of a Fund. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.
Each Fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the "Commodity Exchange Act"), and, therefore, neither Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Each Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options and futures contracts and options on futures contracts and any other derivative investments that are not presently contemplated for use by the Fund or that are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with its investment objective. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as privately issued securities and other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, floating- and variable-rate demand obligations as to which a Fund cannot exercise a demand feature on not more than seven days' notice and as to which there is no secondary market, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days after notice.
INTEREST-RATE AND INDEX SWAPS. Each Fund may enter into interest-rate and index swaps. Interest-rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (for example, an exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate payments). Index swaps (sometimes referred to as total return swaps) involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an index of securities or a portion of an index of securities that usually include, but are not limited to, dividends or income. In each case, the exchange of commitments can involve payments to be made in the same currency or in different currencies. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, a Fund will have
contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions.
Swap transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. If a Fund enters into a swap transaction, cash or securities may be posted by or to the Fund as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. Upon early termination of a swap agreement due to an event of default or termination event with respect to the Fund or other party, the risk of loss to the Fund would generally be limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make if, after exercising in accordance with the swap agreement the rights with respect to early close-out of the swap transaction or swap transactions, it is determined that the Fund would be obligated to make a net payment with respect to the swap transaction or swap transactions. In the event the other party to the swap transaction or swap transactions were to owe a net amount to the Fund upon an early termination of the swap agreements as described above, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss in the event that any collateral held by the Fund would be insufficient.
INTEREST-RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON INTEREST-RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Bond Index Fund may invest in interest-rate futures contracts and options on interest-rate futures contracts as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. The Fund may also sell options on interest-rate futures contracts as part of closing purchase transactions to terminate its options positions. No assurance can be given that such closing transactions can be effected or the degree of correlation between price movements in the options on interest-rate futures and price movements in the Fund's portfolio securities which are the subject of the transaction.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES AND EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS. Each Fund may invest in securities issued by other open-end and closed-end investment management companies, including investment companies that are affiliated with the Funds and BGFA, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. As a general matter, under the 1940 Act, investment in such securities is limited to: (i) 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets with respect to any one investment company, and (iii) 10% of a Fund's total assets with respect to all such companies in the aggregate. Other investment companies in which the Funds invest can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by the Fund. Other investment companies in which the Funds invest can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by the Fund. To the extent allowed by law or regulation, each Fund may invest its assets in securities of money market funds, including those advised by BGFA or otherwise affiliated with BGFA, in excess of the limits discussed above.
The Funds may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"). Typically, a Fund would purchase ETF shares for the same reason it would purchase (and as an alternative to purchasing) futures contracts-to obtain relatively low-cost exposure to the stock market while maintaining flexibility to meet the liquidity needs of the Fund. ETF shares enjoy several advantages over futures. Depending on the market, the holding period, and other factors, ETF shares can be less costly than futures. In addition, ETF shares can be purchased for smaller sums and offer exposure to market sectors and styles for which there is no suitable or liquid futures contract. A Fund may also purchase ETF shares for other purposes, including improving its ability to track its underlying index. The Funds may invest a portion of their assets in shares of ETFs that are advised by BGFA. BGFA will receive investment advisory fees at both the Fund level and the ETF level for investments by a Fund in shares of an ETF advised by BGFA. Because most ETFs are investment companies, a Fund's purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the 3/5/10% limitations described above. 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. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the stocks owned by the ETF decrease. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (i) the market price of the ETF's shares may trade at a discount to their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF's shares may be halted if the listing exchange's officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide "circuit breakers" (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
LETTERS OF CREDIT. Certain of the debt obligations (including municipal securities, certificates of participation, commercial paper and other short-term obligations) that the Funds may purchase may be backed by an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit of a bank, savings and loan association or insurance company that assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer. Only banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to issuers of other permitted investments of such Fund may be used for letter of credit-backed investments.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including borrowers affiliated with BGFA. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. Each Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those managed by BGFA.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (I.E., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), "gap" risk (I.E., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower do not return a Fund's securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities.
A Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by MIP's Board of Trustees. Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI") acts as securities lending agent for the Funds subject to the overall supervision of BGFA. BGI receives a portion of the revenues generated by securities lending activities as compensation for its services in this regard.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. The Bond Index Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities, which are a category of pass-through securities backed by pools of mortgages and issued by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") or by one of several U.S. Government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") or the Federal Home Loan Banks ("FHLBs"). In the basic mortgage pass-through structure, mortgages with similar issuer, term and coupon characteristics are collected and aggregated into a "pool" consisting of multiple mortgage loans. The pool is assigned a CUSIP number and undivided interests in the pool are traded and sold as pass-through securities. The holder of the security is entitled to a PRO RATA share of principal and interest payments (including unscheduled prepayments) from the pool of mortgage loans.
A significant portion of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (the "Lehman Aggregate Index") (37.76%, as of March 31, 2007) represents the U.S. agency mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market. Therefore, a substantial portion of the Bond Index Fund is invested to seek exposure to a representative sample of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities. The portion of the Lehman Aggregate Index representing the mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market is comprised of multiple pools of mortgage pass-through securities.
An investment in a specific pool of pass-through securities requires an analysis of the specific prepayment risk of mortgages within the covered pool (since mortgagors typically have the option to prepay their loans). The level of prepayments on a pool of mortgage securities is difficult to predict and can impact the subsequent cash flows and value of the mortgage pool. In addition, when trading specific mortgage pools, precise execution, delivery and settlement arrangements must be negotiated for each transaction. These factors combine to make trading in mortgage pools somewhat cumbersome. For these and other reasons, the Fund may obtain exposure to U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities primarily through the use of "to-be-announced" or "TBA transactions." "TBA" refers to a commonly used mechanism for the forward settlement of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities, and not to a separate type of mortgage-backed security. Most transactions in mortgage pass-through securities occur through the use of TBA transactions. TBA transactions generally are conducted in accordance with widely accepted guidelines that establish commonly observed terms and conditions for execution, settlement and delivery. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller decide on general trade parameters, such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to the settlement date. The Fund may use TBA transactions in several ways. For example, the Fund may regularly enter into TBA agreements and "roll over" such agreements prior to the settlement date stipulated in such agreements. This type of TBA transaction is sometimes known as a "TBA roll." In a "TBA roll," the Fund generally will sell the obligation to purchase the pools stipulated in the TBA agreement prior to the stipulated settlement date and will enter into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage pass-through securities. In addition, the Fund may enter into TBA agreements and settle such transactions on the stipulated settlement date by accepting actual receipt or delivery of
the pools of mortgage pass-through securities stipulated in the TBA agreement. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose the Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses, or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. To minimize this risk, the Fund will enter into TBA transactions only with established counterparties (such as major broker-dealers) and BGFA will monitor the creditworthiness of such counterparties. The use of "TBA rolls" may cause the Master Portfolio to experience higher portfolio turnover and to pay higher capital gain distributions, which may result in larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to interestholders.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES. Mortgage securities are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same underlying mortgage.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the market's perception of the creditworthiness of issuers and changes in interest rates. The value of some mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising interest rate environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage securities. In addition, although mortgages and mortgage-related securities are generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Municipal securities are generally issued by states and local governments and their agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are subject to interest rate, credit and market risk. The ability of a municipal security issuer to make payments on that security could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Lower rated municipal bonds are subject to greater credit and market risk than higher quality municipal bonds. Municipal securities in which the Bond Index Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, municipal lease obligations and securities issued by entities whose underlying assets are municipal bonds.
In addition, the Fund may invest in residual interest bonds, which are created by depositing municipal securities in a trust and dividing the income stream of an underlying municipal bond in two parts, one, a variable-rate security and the other, a residual interest bond. The interest rate for the variable-rate security is determined by an index or an auction process held approximately every seven to 35 days, while the residual interest bond holder receives the balance of the income from the underlying municipal bond less an auction fee. The market prices of residual interest bonds may be highly sensitive to changes in market rates and may decrease significantly when market rates increase.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain counterparties. Repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase financial instruments and to resell those instruments back to the same counterparty at an agreed-upon date and price, which price reflects a rate of interest unrelated to a coupon rate or maturity of the purchased instruments. The value of the instruments purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase them. As protection against the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation, the instruments are marked to market daily and are maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. Each Fund will only enter into in repurchase agreements with counterparties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by BGFA.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling restricted securities may result in a loss or be costly to a Fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the restricted security's holder may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time the holder decides to seek registration and the time the holder may be permitted to sell the security under an effective registration statement. If, during that period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. Generally, the effect of such transactions is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if a Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and each Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when BGFA believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of a Fund's assets. The custodian bank will maintain a separate account for each Fund with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings.
SECURITIES OF NON-U.S. ISSUERS. Each Fund may invest in certain securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or potentially confiscatory taxation or war, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, potential restrictions of the flow of international capital, transaction costs of foreign currency conversions, generally less liquid and less efficient securities markets, generally greater price volatility, less publicly available information about issuers, the imposition of withholding or other taxes, higher transaction and custody costs, delays and risks attendant in settlement procedures, difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations, significantly smaller market capitalization of most non-U.S. securities markets, lesser levels of regulation of the securities markets, and more substantial government interference with the economy. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy with respect to growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions. In addition, changes in foreign exchange rates also will affect the value of securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES AND BANKS. Each Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities that are determined by BGFA to be of comparable quality to the other obligations in which such Fund may invest. The Funds may also invest in debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. The percentage of each Fund's assets invested in obligations of foreign governments and supranational entities will vary depending on the relative yields of such securities, the economic and financial markets of the countries in which the investments are made and the interest rate climate of such countries.
Each Fund may invest a portion of its total assets in high-quality, short-term (one year or less) debt obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks that are denominated in and pay interest in U.S. dollars.
FOREIGN EQUITY SECURITIES AND DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. The S&P 500 Stock Fund's assets may be invested in the securities of foreign issuers and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs", sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts ("CDRs")) of such issuers (ADRs and EDRs or CDRs, collectively "Depositary Receipts").
ADRs and EDRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and CDRs are receipts issued in Europe typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for
use in the U.S. securities markets and EDRs and CDRs in bearer form are designed for use in Europe. The Fund may invest in ADRs, EDRs and CDRs through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute interestholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. Each Fund may invest in various money market instruments. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit ("CDs"), bankers' acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of domestic banks (including foreign branches); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) non-convertible corporate debt securities (E.G., bonds and debentures); (v) repurchase agreements; and (vi) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market mutual funds, including those managed by BGFA.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON STOCK INDEX FUTURES. The S&P 500 Stock Fund may invest in stock index futures and options on stock index futures as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. An index futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties that commits one party to buy and the other party to sell a stipulated quantity of a market index at a set price on or before a given date in the future. The seller never actually delivers "shares" of the index or shares of all the stocks in the index. Instead, the buyer and the seller settle the difference between the contract price and the market price in cash on the agreed-upon date, with the buyer paying the difference if the actual price is lower than the contract price and the seller paying the difference if the actual price is higher. The Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts on the stock index for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.
An option on a stock index is similar to an option on a stock except that (a) the expiration cycles of stock index options are monthly, while those of stock options are currently quarterly, and (b) the delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (i) the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (ii) a fixed "index multiplier." Receipt of this cash amount depends upon the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash received is equal to such difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars, multiplied by a specified multiplier. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset a position in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange or the writer may let the option expire unexercised.
UNRATED, DOWNGRADED AND BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE INVESTMENTS. The Funds may purchase an instrument that is not rated if, in the opinion of BGFA, such obligation is of an investment quality that is comparable to other rated investments that are permitted to be purchased by such Fund. After purchase by a Fund, a security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by such Fund. Neither event will require a sale of such security by the Fund provided that the amount of such securities held by a Fund does not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets. To the extent the ratings given by Moody's Investors Services ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") may change as a result of changes in such organizations or their rating systems, each Fund will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for investments in accordance with the investment policies contained in its Prospectus and in this SAI. The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch") are more fully described in the Appendix to this SAI.
The Funds are not required to sell downgraded securities, and each Fund could hold up to 5% of its net assets in debt securities rated below "Baa" by Moody's or below "BBB" by S&P or, if unrated, low quality (below investment grade) securities.
Although they may offer higher yields than do higher rated securities, low rated and unrated low quality debt securities generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by, or bankruptcy of, the issuers of the securities. In addition, the markets in which low rated and unrated low quality debt are traded are more limited than
those in which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for particular securities may diminish a Fund's ability to sell the securities at fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the economy or in the financial markets and could adversely affect and cause fluctuations in the daily net asset value of a Fund's interests.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low rated or unrated low quality debt securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of low rated or unrated low quality debt securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher rated securities, and the ability of a Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent it holds low rated or unrated low quality debt securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Fund held exclusively higher rated or higher quality securities.
Low rated or unrated low quality debt securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities. The prices of such debt securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher rated or higher quality investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in low rated or unrated low quality debt securities prices because the advent of a recession could dramatically lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. If the issuer of the debt securities defaults, the Funds may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may invest in various types of U.S. government obligations. A U.S. government obligation is a type of bond. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations (i) may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (as with U.S. Treasury obligations and GNMA certificates) or (ii) may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself (as with FNMA, FHLMC or FHLB notes). In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
WARRANTS. The S&P 500 Stock Fund may invest up to 5% of net assets at the time of purchase in warrants (other than those that have been acquired in units or attached to other securities), including not more than 2% of its net assets in warrants which are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or the American Stock Exchange. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation that gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specified amount of the corporation's capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. The prices of warrants do not necessarily correlate with the prices of the underlying securities. The S&P 500 Stock Fund may only purchase warrants on securities in which the Fund may invest directly.
THE S&P 500 STOCK FUND AND S&P 500 INDEX MASTER PORTFOLIO. Neither the Fund nor the Master Portfolio is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the Fund, the Master Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock market performance. S&P's only relationship to the Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 Index that is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the Fund. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund's shares or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund's shares or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund's shares are to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund's shares.
S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein and S&P shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Portfolio Holdings Information
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP have adopted a policy regarding the
disclosure of portfolio holdings information that requires that such
information be disclosed in a manner that (a) is consistent with applicable
legal requirements and in the best interests of each Fund's and Master
Portfolio's respective shareholders or interestholders, as applicable; (b) does
not put the interests of the Investment Adviser, the Funds' distributor, SEI
Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor" or "SEI"), or any affiliated
person of the Funds, the Master Portfolios, the Investment Adviser or the
Distributor, above those of the Funds' shareholders and the Master Portfolios'
interestholders; (c) does not advantage any current or prospective Fund
shareholders or Master Portfolio interestholders over any other current or
prospective Fund shareholders or Master Portfolio interestholders; and (d) does
not provide selective access to portfolio holdings information except pursuant
to the procedures outlined below and to the extent appropriate confidentiality
arrangements and/or control mechanisms (such as by virtue of duties to the
Funds or the Master Portfolios) limiting the use of such information are in
effect. None of the Funds, the Master Portfolios, the Investment Adviser or BGI
receive any compensation or other consideration in connection with the
disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the arrangements
described below.
The policy described herein only relates to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Funds and the Master Portfolios.
SERVICE PROVIDERS. Daily access to information concerning portfolio holdings is permitted, without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed, (i) to personnel of the Investment Adviser who manage the Master Portfolios' assets ("Portfolio Managers") or who provide administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to the Portfolio Managers ("Support Staff"), and (ii) to other personnel of the Investment Adviser and the Trust's and Master Portfolios' service providers, such as BGI, Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT") and SEI, who deal directly with, or assist in, functions related to investment management, administration, custody, and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the Funds and the terms of their respective current registration statements. Portfolio Managers and Support Staff may also release and discuss portfolio holdings information with various broker-dealers, including broker-dealers affiliated with the Investment Adviser, in connection with managing the Master Portfolios' assets and settling the Master Portfolios' transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the Funds and the terms of their respective current registration statements.
From time to time, portfolio holdings information may also be provided, in the ordinary course of business without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed (provided that such information is provided no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of such information), to other persons and entities, including, among others, the Trust's and MIP's Trustees; the auditors of the Funds and the Master Portfolios; counsel to the Trust or MIP, and counsel to the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or MIP (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the "Independent Trustees"); pricing service vendors; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; rating or ranking organizations; or as otherwise required by law or regulation. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities to which the Funds and the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information in the ordinary course of business without any lag as described above: Moody's, S&P, Lipper, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., as the rating organizations for certain of the Master Portfolios; and Interactive Data Corp. and Reuters, as the pricing services for the Master Portfolios. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected. Generally, the above persons and entities are subject to duties of confidentiality arising under law or contract that the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP believe provide an adequate safeguard for such information.
THIRD-PARTY FEEDER FUNDS. Each Master Portfolio provides portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for feeder funds sponsored by institutions not affiliated with BGFA that invest in such Master Portfolio (each, a "third-party feeder fund") as may be necessary to (i) conduct business of the third-party feeder funds in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the third-party feeder funds and the terms of the Master Portfolio's current registration statement, or (ii) satisfy legal requirements applicable to the third-party feeder funds. Such portfolio holdings information may be provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed. Each third-party feeder fund is subject to the terms and duties of confidentiality of its own portfolio holdings disclosure policy as adopted by its board of directors or trustees (which policy may be different than the Trust's and MIP's policy described herein), and none of BGFA, BGI or the Board of Trustees of the Trust or MIP exercises control over any third-party feeder fund's policies. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of third-party feeder funds and their service providers with which the Master Portfolios
have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information: Atlas S&P 500 Index Fund, Atlas Assets Inc., Atlas Securities Inc., BB&T Equity Index Funds, BB&T Funds, BE Creative, Inc., BISYS Fund Services Limited Partnership, Diversified Institutional Stock Index Fund, Diversified Investors Fund Group, Diversified Investors Security Corp., State Farm S&P 500 Index Fund, State Farm Mutual Fund Trust, and State Farm VP Management Corp. Such information is generally provided within five business days following month-end. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected.
BGFA, BGI and the Master Portfolios may also provide portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for a potential third-party feeder fund to the extent necessary for such entities to evaluate a potential investment in the relevant Master Portfolio, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information to that purpose.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS. Each Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on a quarterly basis, based on such Fund's fiscal year, within 70 days after the end of the calendar quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.
OTHER PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. A Fund or its related Master Portfolio may voluntarily
disclose portfolio holdings information in advance of required filings with the
SEC to persons and entities that make such information generally available to
interested persons, such as institutional investors and their advisers and
representatives. These persons and entities may make such information available
through a variety of methods, including without limitation via websites, e-mail
and other forms of publication. Such portfolio holdings information may be
provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on
which such information is disclosed, provided that such information is provided
no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of
such information. No conditions or restrictions are placed on the use of such
information because the Funds and the Master Portfolios intend that the persons
and entities to which such information is provided will make such information
generally available to all interested persons. The following is a list, as of
March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities with which the Funds or the
Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings
information and the frequency with which such information is provided:
Bloomberg (monthly) and Micropal (monthly). Any additions, modifications or
deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not
reflected.
APPROVED RECIPIENTS. The Funds' and the Master Portfolios' Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy.
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP review the above policy and the procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually. There can be no assurance that the Trust's and MIP's policy and procedures with respect to disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by persons that receive such information.
Management
The Trust's Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Officers generally serve at the pleasure of the Trustees. BGIF, MIP, iShares Trust and iShares, Inc. are considered to be members of the same fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act. Lee T. Kranefuss also serves as a Trustee of MIP and iShares Trust and as a Director of iShares, Inc. Each other Trustee of BGIF also serves as a Trustee for MIP. The address for each Trustee and officer, unless otherwise noted in the tables below, is Barclays Global Investors, N.A., c/o Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
The Trust's Independent Trustees have designated Leo Soong as the Lead Independent Trustee.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Trustee (since 2001), (1961) President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2002). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------ --------------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Chief Executive Officer (since 149 Director (since 2003) of BGI (1961) 2005) of the Global Index and Cayman Prime Money Market Markets Group of BGI; Chief Fund, Ltd.; Trustee (since Executive Officer (since 2003) of 2001) of MIP; Trustee (since the Intermediary Investors and 2003) of iShares Trust; Director Exchange Traded Products (since 2001) of iShares, Inc. Business of BGI; Director (since 2005) of Barclays Global Advisors; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors Services; Chief Executive Officer (1999-2003) of the Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
*Lee T. Kranefuss is deemed to be an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BGFA, the investment adviser of the Master Portfolios, BGI, the parent company of BGFA and the administrator of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, and Barclays Global Investors Services, an affiliate of BGFA and BGI.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX POSITION(S), LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman Trustee (since 2001) President (since 2004) and 24 Trustee (since 2001) of MIP; (1944) and Chairperson of Director (since 2002) of the Director (since 1984) and Lead the Nominating and Bernard Osher Foundation; Independent Director (since Governance Director (2003-2004) of Osher 2000) of the Bank of Hawaii; Committee (since Lifelong Learning Institutes; Director (since 2002) and 2006). President and Chief Executive Chairman of the Board (since Officer (2002-2003) of The James 2005) of PBS (Public Irvine Foundation; President and Broadcasting Service). Chief Executive Officer (1993- 2002) of KQED, Inc. A. John Gambs Trustee (since 2006) Retired. 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP. (1945) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since 2006). |
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- Wendy Paskin-Jordan Trustee (since 2006). (1956) Leo Soong Trustee (since 2000) (1946) and Lead Independent Trustee (since 2006). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ----------------------------------- ------------ --------------------------------- Wendy Paskin-Jordan Managing Partner (since 1999) of 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP; (1956) Paskin & Kahr Capital Director (since 2001) of the Management; Registered California State Automobile Representative (since 2005) of Association; Director (since ThinkEquity Partners (broker- 2001) of Maier Siebel Baber. dealer); Registered Representative (1999-2005) of ePlanning Securities Inc. (broker-dealer). Leo Soong President (since 2002) of Trinity 24 Trustee (since 2000) of MIP; (1946) Products LLC (healthy beverage Vice Chairman (since 2005) of company); Managing Director the California Pacific Medical (since 1989) of CG Roxane LLC Center; Director (since 1990) of (water company); Co-Founder the California State Automobile (President through 1999) of Association; Director (since Crystal Geyser Water Co. 2002) of the American Automobile Association. |
OFFICER
POSITION(S), LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------------- Michael A. Latham Secretary, Treasurer Head of Americas iShares (since (1965) and Chief Financial 2007); Chief Operating Officer Officer (since 2003). (since 2003) of the Intermediary Investors and Exchange Traded Products Business of BGI; Director and Chief Financial Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director (2000-2003) of Mutual Fund Delivery in the U.S. Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
COMMITTEES. There are two standing committees of the Board of Trustees - the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee. Members of the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee include each
Independent Trustee. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for
recommending to the Board persons to be nominated for election as Trustees by
the shareholders or for appointment as Trustees by the sitting Trustees, when
permissible. Pursuant to the rules under the 1940 Act, only Independent
Trustees may select and nominate other Independent Trustees for BGIF. The
Nominating and Governance Committee generally does not consider nominees
recommended by shareholders, but may do so if the Nominating and Governance
Committee deems it appropriate. Shareholders who want to recommend nominees can
contact the Nominating and Governance Committee by sending a signed letter that
provides relevant information regarding the nominee and includes: (a) the
shareholder's name and address; (b) the number of shares owned by the
shareholder; (c) the Fund or Funds of which the shareholder owns shares; and
(d) if such shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner. The letter should be addressed to BGIF
Board of Trustees - Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Barclays Global
Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco,
CA 94105. Mary G. F. Bitterman serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and
Governance Committee. Prior to August 29, 2006, the Nominating and Governance
Committee was known as the Nominating Committee. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, the Nominating and Governance Committee held four meetings.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a separate charter and is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the Funds' accounting and financial reporting practices, reviewing the results of the annual audits of the Funds' financial statements and interacting with the Funds' independent auditors on behalf of the full Board. A. John Gambs serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
BENEFICIAL EQUITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION. The table below shows for each Trustee the amount of interests in each Fund beneficially owned by the Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities within the same family of investment companies, stated as one of the following ranges: 0 = $0; A = $1-$10,000; B = $10,001-$50,000; C = $50,001-$100,000; and D = over $100,000.
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES IN THE FAMILY INTERESTED TRUSTEE BOND INDEX FUND S&P 500 STOCK FUND OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES -------------------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------------ Lee T. Kranefuss 0 0 D |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES IN THE FAMILY INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES BOND INDEX FUND S&P 500 STOCK FUND OF INVESTMENT COMPANIES ---------------------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------------ Mary G. F. Bitterman 0 0 0 A. John Gambs 0 0 0 Wendy Paskin-Jordan 0 0 0 Leo Soong 0 0 0 |
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN ENTITIES. As of December 31, 2006, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own any securities of BGFA, the Distributor, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BGFA or the Distributor, unless noted above.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $17,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,500 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members receive a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust pays the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $2,500 and the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee an annual fee of $1,250. The Lead Independent Trustee receives an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
Prior to January 2007, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $12,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,000 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members received a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust paid the Audit Committee Chairperson an annual base fee of $2,500 and the Lead Independent Trustee an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
The Trust reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending Board and committee meetings. Currently, the Trustees do not receive any retirement benefits or deferred compensation from the fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act.
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) --------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss $0 $0 |
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) ----------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman $25,000 $ 50,000 Jack S. Euphrat(3) $ 8,625 $ 17,250 A. John Gambs(4) $18,755 $ 37,511 Richard K. Lyons $26,337 $ 154,413(5) Wendy Paskin-Jordan(4) $18,375 $ 36,750 Leo Soong $29,880 $ 59,761 |
(1)The Trustees were paid in 2006 for a Nominating Committee meeting that
they attended during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
(2) Includes compensation for services on the Board of Trustees of MIP.
(3) Served as Trustee of the Trust through March 14, 2006.
(4) Compensation for A. John Gambs and Wendy Paskin-Jordan reflects their
appointment to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust effective March
16, 2006.
(5) Includes compensation as Trustee of iShares Trust and Director of
iShares, Inc. Mr. Lyons served as Trustee of the Trust through November 6,
2006.
MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE. Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP. In other words, the Funds are "Feeder Funds" into the Master Portfolios. The Trust's Board of Trustees believes that neither a Fund nor its shareholders will be adversely affected by investing its assets in a Master Portfolio. However, if another feeder fund or other investor withdraws its investment from such Master Portfolio, the economic efficiencies (E.G., spreading fixed expenses among a larger asset base) that the Trust's Board of Trustees believes may be available through investment in the Master Portfolio may not be fully achieved. In addition, given the relative novelty of the master/feeder structure, accounting or operational difficulties, although unlikely, could also arise.
A Fund may withdraw its investment in a Master Portfolio only if the Board of Trustees determines that such action is in the best interests of such Fund and its shareholders. Prior to any such withdrawal, the Trust's Board of Trustees would consider alternative investments, including investing all of the Fund's assets in another investment company with substantially the same investment objective as the Fund or hiring an investment adviser to manage the Fund's assets in accordance with the investment policies described above with respect to the Fund and its Master Portfolios.
The fundamental policies of a Master Portfolio cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Master Portfolio's outstanding interests. Whenever a Fund, as an interestholder of a Master Portfolio, is requested to vote on any matter submitted to interestholders of the Master Portfolio, the Fund either will hold a meeting of its shareholders to consider such matters and cast its votes in proportion to the votes received from its shareholders (shares for which the Fund receives no voting instructions will be voted in the same proportion as the votes received from the other Fund shareholders) or cast its votes, as an interestholder of the Master Portfolio, in proportion to the votes received by the Master Portfolios from all other interestholders of the Master Portfolio.
Certain policies of the Master Portfolio that are non-fundamental may be changed by vote of a majority of MIP's Trustees without interestholder approval. If the Master Portfolio's investment objective or fundamental or non-fundamental policies are changed, the Fund may elect to change its investment objective or policies to correspond to those of the Master Portfolio. A Fund also may elect to redeem its interests from its Master Portfolio and either seek a new investment company with a matching investment objective in which to invest or retain its own investment adviser to manage its portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. In the latter case, a Fund's inability to find a substitute investment company in which to invest or equivalent management services could adversely affect shareholders' investments in the Fund. The Funds will provide shareholders with written notice 30 days prior to the implementation of any change in the investment objective of the Fund or the Master Portfolio, to the extent possible.
CODES OF ETHICS. The Trust, BGFA and SEI have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The following is a discussion of the proxy voting policies of the Master Portfolios in which the Funds invest.
MIP has adopted as its proxy voting policies for each Master Portfolio the proxy voting guidelines of BGFA, the investment adviser to the Master Portfolios. MIP has delegated to BGFA the responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by each Master Portfolio. Therefore, the remainder of this section discusses each Master Portfolio's proxy voting guidelines and BGFA's role in implementing such guidelines.
BGFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies for each Master Portfolio in a manner that BGFA, in the exercise of its independent business judgment, concludes is in the best economic interests of such Master Portfolio. In some cases, BGFA may determine that it is in the best economic interests of a Master Portfolio to refrain from exercising the Master Portfolio's proxy voting rights (such as, for example, proxies on certain non-U.S. securities that might impose costly or time-consuming in-person voting requirements). With regard to the relationship between securities lending and proxy voting, BGFA's approach is also driven by its clients' economic interests. The evaluation of the economic desirability of recalling loans involves balancing the revenue producing value of loans against the likely economic value of casting votes. Based on BGFA's evaluation of this relationship, BGFA believes that the likely economic value of casting a vote generally is less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by BGFA recalling loaned securities in order to ensure they are voted. Periodically, BGFA analyzes the process and benefits of voting proxies for securities on loan, and will consider whether any modification of its proxy voting policies or procedures are necessary in light of any regulatory changes. BGFA will normally vote on specific proxy issues in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines. BGFA's proxy voting guidelines provide detailed guidance as to how to vote proxies on certain important or commonly raised issues. BGFA may, in the exercise of its business judgment, conclude that the proxy voting guidelines do not cover the specific matter upon which a proxy vote is requested, or that an exception to the proxy voting guidelines would be in the best economic interests of a Master Portfolio. BGFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies without regard to the relationship of the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of such issuer) to the Master Portfolio, the Master Portfolio's affiliates (if any), BGFA or BGFA's affiliates, or SEI or SEI's affiliates. When voting proxies, BGFA attempts to encourage companies to follow practices that enhance shareholder value and increase transparency and allow the market to place a proper value on their assets. With respect to certain specific issues:
. Each Master Portfolio generally supports the board's nominees in uncontested elections of directors and generally supports proposals that strengthen the independence of boards of directors;
. Each Master Portfolio generally does not support proposals on social issues that lack a demonstrable economic benefit to the issuer and the Master Portfolio investing in such issuer; and
. Each Master Portfolio generally votes against anti-takeover proposals and proposals that would create additional barriers or costs to corporate transactions that are likely to deliver a premium to shareholders.
BGFA maintains institutional policies and procedures that are designed to prevent any relationship between the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of the issuer) and a Master Portfolio, a Master Portfolio's affiliates (if any), BGFA or BGFA's affiliates, or SEI or SEI's affiliates, from having undue influence on BGFA's proxy voting activity. In certain instances, BGFA may determine to engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies as a further safeguard against potential conflicts of interest or as otherwise required by applicable law. The independent fiduciary may either vote such proxies or provide BGFA with instructions as to how to vote such proxies. In the latter case, BGFA votes the proxy in accordance with the independent fiduciary's determination.
Information with respect to how BGFA voted Master Portfolio proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free); and (ii) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees has
established a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board of
Trustees. Shareholders may contact the Board of Trustees by mail.
Correspondence should be addressed to Barclays Global Investors Funds Board of
Trustees, c/o Barclays Global Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45
Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Shareholders' communications to the
Board of Trustees should include the following information: (a) the name and
address of the shareholder; (b) the number of shares owned by the
shareholder; (c) the Fund(s) of which the shareholder owns shares; and (d) if these shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial intermediary or other record owner. All correspondence received as set forth above shall be reviewed by the Secretary of the Trust and reported to the Board of Trustees.
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities
As of April 2, 2007, the shareholders identified below were known by the Trust to own 5% or more of the indicated Fund's outstanding shares in the following capacity:
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF NAME OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF FUND OWNERSHIP ------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- Bond Index Fund CHASE MANHATTAN BANK 6% Record PO BOX 419784 KANSAS CITY, MO 64141 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 33% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 WELLS FARGO BANK NA 14% Record 510 MARQUETTE AVENUE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55479 INVESTORS BANK AND TRUST 24% Record 200 CLARENDON STREET PO BOX 9130 FPG90 BOSTON, MA 02116-9130 MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH 7% Record 4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246 S&P 500 Stock Fund MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH 19% Record 4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246 US TRUST COMPANY NA 9% Record 515 SOUTH FLOWER STREET SUITE 2700 LOS ANGELES, CA 90071-2291 CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 11% Record PO BOX 419784 KANSAS CITY, MO 64141-6784 NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY 11% Record PO BOX 92956 CHICAGO, IL 60675 OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT 6% Record 8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2 ENGLEWOOD, CO 80111 UNION BANK 6% Record PO BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 |
For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to "control" such company. Accordingly, to the extent that a shareholder identified in the foregoing table is identified as the beneficial holder of more than 25% of a Fund, or is identified as the holder of record of more than 25% of a Fund and has voting and/or investment powers, it may be presumed to control such Fund.
As of April 2, 2007, Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers
INVESTMENT ADVISER. BGFA provides investment advisory services to each Master Portfolio pursuant to an investment advisory contract (the "Advisory Contract") with MIP. Pursuant to the Advisory Contract, BGFA furnishes to MIP's Board of Trustees periodic reports on the investment strategy and performance of each Master Portfolio.
BGFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI. BGI is a national bank, which is, in turn, a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.
The applicable Advisory Contract is subject to annual approval by (i) MIP's Board of Trustees or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting interests of such Master Portfolio, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of Independent Trustees of MIP, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The applicable Advisory Contract is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' written notice by either party. The applicable Advisory Contract will terminate automatically, as to the relevant Master Portfolio, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
ADVISORY FEES. BGFA is entitled to receive monthly fees at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio and 0.08% of the average daily net assets of the Bond Index Master Portfolio. From time to time, BGFA may waive such fees in whole or in part. Any such waiver will reduce the expenses of a Master Portfolio and, accordingly, have a favorable impact on its performance.
For the fiscal years shown below, the Master Portfolios in which the Funds invest paid BGFA the following advisory fees:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Bond Index Fund $146,025 $167,502 $112,534 S&P 500 Stock Fund $475,466 $185,243 $137,772 |
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of MIP, counsel to the Independent Trustees of MIP and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Master Portfolios (collectively referred to as the "MIP Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the Master Portfolios. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGFA voluntarily agreed to cap the expenses of the Master Portfolios at the rate at which the Master Portfolios paid advisory fees to BGFA and, therefore, BGFA provided an offsetting credit against the advisory fees paid by the Master Portfolios in an amount equal to the MIP Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to each Master Portfolio for such MIP Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGFA provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against advisory fees paid by the Master Portfolios in which the Funds invest:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Bond Index Fund N/A N/A $30,930 S&P 500 Stock Fund N/A N/A $ 5,226 |
ADMINISTRATOR. The Trust has engaged BGI to provide certain administration services to the Funds. BGI provides the Funds with administration services, including provision of management reporting and treasury administration services, financial reporting, legal and tax services, and supervision of the Funds' administrative operations, preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports. BGI also furnishes office space and certain facilities to conduct the Funds' business and compensates its Trustees, officers and employees who are affiliated with BGI. BGI is entitled to receive an annual administration fee of 0.15% of each Fund's average daily net assets for providing administration services.
BGI also may engage and supervise Shareholder Servicing Agents, as defined in "Shareholder Servicing Agents" below, on behalf of the Funds.
BGI has also agreed to bear all costs of the Funds' operations, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution plan expenses, certain fees and expenses related to the Trust's independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. BGI has contracted with IBT to provide certain sub-administration services for the Funds, and BGI pays IBT for these services.
For the fiscal years shown below, the Funds paid the following administration fees to BGI:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Bond Index Fund $ 273,726 $313,960 $250,989 S&P 500 Stock Fund $1,425,243 $555,980 $411,088 |
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Trust and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Funds (collectively referred to as the "BGIF Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the Funds. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGI voluntarily agreed to provide an offsetting credit against the administration fees paid by the Funds in an amount equal to the BGIF Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to the Funds for such BGIF Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGI provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against administration fees paid with respect to the Funds:
FUND ------------------- 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 Bond Index Fund N/A N/A $17,469 S&P 500 Stock Fund N/A N/A $18,112 |
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENTS. The Board of Trustees of the Funds has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan pursuant to which the Funds have entered into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with BGI and other entities and BGI may also enter into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with such other entities (collectively, "Shareholder Servicing Agents") for the provision of certain services to Fund shareholders. The services provided by BGI or Shareholder Servicing Agents may include serving as an agent of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, providing administrative support and account service such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts.
Pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust, as described above in the section entitled "Administrator", BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees, for those shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and processing services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. For providing some or all of these services, each Shareholder Servicing Agent is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Fund represented by shares owned during the period for which payment is being made by investors with whom the Shareholder Servicing Agent maintains a servicing relationship, or an amount that equals the maximum amount payable to the Shareholder Servicing Agent under applicable laws, regulations or rules, including the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., whichever is less. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for the services described above. From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGI paid shareholder servicing fees on behalf of the Funds as follows:
FISCAL YEAR END FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ------------------ Bond Index Fund $ 54,072 $131,759 $ 84,072 S&P 500 Stock Fund $678,918 $222,868 $151,808 |
A Shareholder Servicing Agent also may impose certain conditions on its customers, subject to the terms of the Funds' Prospectus and this SAI, that are in addition to or different from those imposed by the Trust, such as requiring a minimum initial investment or payment of a separate fee for additional services. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for the services described above. From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
DISTRIBUTOR. SEI is the distributor for the Funds' shares. SEI is a registered broker/dealer located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, 19456. Since 1968, SEI has been a leading provider of outsourced investment business solutions for fund administration and distribution, asset management, and investment systems and processing.
SEI, as the principal underwriter of the Funds within the meaning of the 1940 Act, has entered into a distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with the Trust pursuant to which SEI has the responsibility for distributing Fund shares. The Distribution Agreement provides that SEI shall act as agent for the Funds for the sale of Fund shares, and may enter into sales support agreements with selling agents that wish to make available Fund shares to their respective customers ("Selling Agents"). SEI does not receive a fee from the Funds for providing distribution services. BGI presently acts as a Selling Agent, but does not receive any fee from the Funds for such activities.
In addition, SEI provides certain compliance related, sales related and other services for the Funds pursuant to a Service Standards Agreement with BGI, and BGI compensates SEI for these services.
CUSTODIAN. IBT is the custodian for each Fund and Master Portfolio and is located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. The custodian, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of each Fund and Master Portfolio; receives and delivers all assets for each Fund and Master Portfolio upon purchase and upon sale or maturity; collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of each Fund and Master Portfolio and pays all expenses of each Fund and Master Portfolio. IBT is not entitled to receive compensation for its services as custodian so long as it is entitled to receive fees from BGI for providing sub-administration services to the Funds.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT. IBT also is the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds and the Master Portfolios. For its services as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to the Funds and the Master Portfolios, IBT is paid fees based on the Funds' and the Master Portfolios' net assets. IBT is entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Transfer Agency Agreement. BGI has agreed to pay these fees and expenses pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust. In addition, the Transfer Agency Agreement contemplates that IBT will be reimbursed for other expenses incurred by it at the request or with the written consent of the Funds, including, without limitation, any equipment or supplies that the Trust specifically orders or requires IBT to order.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, serves as legal counsel to the Trust, MIP and BGFA.
Portfolio Managers
As of December 31, 2006, the individuals named as Bond Index Portfolio Managers in the Prospectus were also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of certain types of other portfolios and/or accounts in addition to the Bond Index Master Portfolio, as indicated in the table below:
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS JOHN SULSKI ------------ --------------------- ----------------- Number of Accounts 0 2 16 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 N/A $3,179,599,000 $6,982,197,000 |
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS LEE STERNE ------------------ --------------------- --------------- Number of Accounts 6 1 6 Net Assets of 12/31/06 $20,514,492,000 $2,611,572,000 $274,568,000 |
As of December 31, 2006, the individuals named as S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers in the Prospectus were also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of certain types of other portfolios and/or accounts in addition to the S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio, as indicated in the table below:
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS PATRICK O'CONNOR ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- Number of Accounts 115 1 11 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 $229,715,416,000 $167,818,000 $1,182,785,000 |
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS S. JANE LEUNG ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- Number of Accounts 115 1 8 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 $229,715,416,000 $167,818,000 $1,182,997,000 |
Certain of the portfolios or accounts for which the portfolio managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management seek to track the rate of return, risk profile and other characteristics of independent third-party indexes by either replicating the same combination of securities that compose those indexes or sampling the securities that compose those indexes based on objective criteria and data. The portfolio managers are required to manage each portfolio or account to meet those objectives. Pursuant to BGI and BGFA policy, investment opportunities are allocated equitably among the Master Portfolios and other portfolios and accounts. For example, under certain circumstances, an investment opportunity may be restricted due to limited supply on the market, legal constraints or other factors, in which event the investment opportunity will be allocated equitably among those portfolios and accounts, including the Master Portfolios, seeking such investment opportunity. As a consequence, from time to time each Master Portfolio may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than they would have if the portfolio managers and BGFA and its affiliates did not manage other portfolios or accounts.
Like the Master Portfolios, the other portfolios or accounts for which the portfolio managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management generally pay an asset-based fee to BGFA or BGI, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BGI an incentive-based fee in lieu of, or in addition to, an asset-based fee for its advisory services. A portfolio or account with an incentive-based fee would pay BGI a portion of that portfolio's or account's gains, or would pay BGI more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BGI meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their very nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BGI to devote greater resources, and allocate more investment opportunities, to the portfolios or accounts that have those fee arrangements, relative to other portfolios or accounts, in order to earn larger fees. Although BGI has an obligation to allocate resources and opportunities equitably among portfolios and accounts and intends to do so, interestholders of the Master Portfolios should be aware that, as with any group of portfolios and accounts managed by an investment adviser and/or its affiliates pursuant to varying fee arrangements, including incentive-based fee arrangements, there is the potential for a conflict of interest that may result in the portfolio managers favoring those portfolios or accounts with incentive-based fee arrangements.
The below table reflects, for the Bond Index Portfolio Managers, the number of portfolios or accounts of the types enumerated in the above table and the aggregate of total assets in those portfolios or accounts with respect to which the investment management fees are based on the performance of those portfolios or accounts, as of December 31, 2006:
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH AGGREGATE OF PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED TOTAL ASSETS JOHN SULSKI ------------------------------- ------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH AGGREGATE OF PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED TOTAL ASSETS LEE STERNE ------------------------------- ----------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 1 $2,611,572,000 Other Accounts 0 N/A |
The below table reflects, for the S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers, the number of portfolios or accounts of the types enumerated in the above table and the aggregate of total assets in those portfolios or accounts with respect to which the investment management fees are based on the performance of those portfolios or accounts, as of December 31, 2006:
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH AGGREGATE OF PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED TOTAL ASSETS PATRICK O'CONNOR ------------------------------- ------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH AGGREGATE OF PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED TOTAL ASSETS S. JANE LEUNG ------------------------------- ------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
As of December 31, 2006, each Portfolio Manager receives a salary and is eligible to receive an annual bonus. Each Portfolio Manager's salary is a fixed amount generally determined annually based on a number of factors, including, but limited to, the Portfolio Manager's title, scope of responsibilities, experience and knowledge. Each Portfolio Manager's bonus is a discretionary amount determined annually based on the overall profitability of the various Barclays Global Investors companies worldwide, the performance of the Portfolio Manager's business unit, and an assessment of the Portfolio Manager's individual performance. The Portfolio Manager's salary and annual bonus are paid in cash. BGFA also operates a mandatory bonus deferral plan for employees whose bonuses exceed certain thresholds which becomes payable three years after grant. One half of the mandatory deferral award is "notionally invested" in funds managed by BGI, and the other half is provisionally allocated to shares in Barclays PLC (the ultimate parent company of BGFA). Thus, the value of the final award may be increased or decreased over the three-year period. In addition, a Portfolio Manager may be paid a signing bonus or other amounts in connection with initiation of employment with BGFA. If a Portfolio Manager satisfied the requirements for being part of a "select group of management or highly compensated employees" (within the meaning of ERISA section 401(a)) as so specified under the terms of BGI's compensation deferral pan, the Portfolio Manager may elect to defer a portion of his or her bonus under that plan.
Portfolio Managers may be selected, on a fully discretionary basis, for awards under BGI's Compensation Enhancement Plan ("CEP"). Under CEP, these awards are determined annually, and generally vest after two years. At the option of the CEP administrators, the award may be "notionally invested" in funds managed by BGI, which means that the final award amount may
be increased or decreased according to the performance of the BGI-managed funds over the two-year period. If the award is not notionally invested, the original award amount is paid once vested.
A Portfolio Manager may be granted options to purchase shares in Barclays Global Investors UK Holdings Limited ("BGI UK Holdings"), a company organized under the laws of England and Wales that directly or indirectly owns all of the Barclays Global Investors companies worldwide, which options generally vest in three equal installments over three years and are generally exercisable during prescribed exercise windows. Shares purchased must generally be held 355 days prior to sale. For such purposes, the value of BGI UK Holdings is based on its fair value as determined by an independent public accounting firm.
As of December 31, 2006, the Bond Index Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares in the Bond Index Fund that invests in the Master Portfolio for which they are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management in amounts reflected in the following table:
BOND INDEX FUND $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $ 10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Lee Sterne x John Sulski x |
As of December 31, 2006, the S&P 500 Stock Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares in the S&P 500 Stock Fund that invests in the Master Portfolio for which they are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management in amounts reflected in the following table:
S&P 500 STOCK FUND $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $ 10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Patrick O'Connor x S. Jane Leung x |
Determination of Net Asset Value
The net asset value ("NAV") for each Fund is calculated by deducting all of the Fund's liabilities (including accrued expenses) from the total value of its assets (including the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets, including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding, and generally rounded to the nearest cent, although each Fund reserves the right to calculate its NAV to more than two decimal places.
The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. In calculating a Master Portfolio's NAV, the Master Portfolio's investments are generally valued using market valuations. In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures of BGFA, the investment adviser to the Master Portfolios. The Board of Trustees of MIP has delegated to BGFA the responsibility of valuing its portfolio securities. Therefore, the remainder of this section discusses BGFA's U.S. Pricing Policy and Pricing Procedures. The frequency with which a Master Portfolio's investments are valued using fair value pricing is primarily a function of the types of securities and other assets in which the Master Portfolio invests pursuant to its investment objective, strategies and limitations.
Investments that may be valued using fair value pricing include, but are not limited to: (i) an unlisted security related to corporate actions; (ii) a restricted security (I.E., one that may not be publicly sold without registration under the 1933 Act); (iii) a security whose trading has been suspended or which has been delisted from its primary trading exchange; (iv) a security that is thinly traded; (v) a security in default or bankruptcy proceedings for which there is no current market quotation; (vi) a security affected by currency controls or restrictions; and (vii) a security affected by a significant event (I.E., an event that occurs after the close of the markets on which the security is traded but before the time as of which the Master Portfolio's net asset value is computed and that may materially affect the value of the Master Portfolio's investments). Examples of events that may be "significant events" are government actions, natural disasters, armed conflict, acts of terrorism, and significant market fluctuations.
Valuing a Master Portfolio's investments using fair value pricing will result in using prices for those investments that may differ from current market valuations. Accordingly, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Master Portfolio's net asset value and the prices used by the Master Portfolio's benchmark index, which, in turn, could result in a difference between the Master Portfolio's performance and the performance of the Master Portfolio's benchmark index.
A market valuation generally means with respect to an investment, a valuation
(i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or
dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of
value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or
dealer), or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other funds
that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund's
published net asset value per share. BGFA may use various pricing services or
discontinue the use of any pricing service. A price obtained from a pricing
service based on such pricing service's valuation matrix may be considered a
market valuation.
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
TERMS OF PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and are generally closed on all other days on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed for regular trading. The holidays on which the NYSE is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Each Fund reserves the right to change the amount of the minimum investment and subsequent purchases in the Funds. On any day the Funds close early, purchase and redemption orders received after a Fund's closing time will be executed on the next business day. In addition, each Fund reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received to be executed on the same business day as permitted by the SEC.
IN-KIND PURCHASES. Payment for shares of a Fund may, at the discretion of BGFA, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Fund and must meet the investment objective, policies and limitations of the Fund as described in the Prospectus and this SAI. In connection with an in-kind securities payment, a Fund may require, among other things, that the securities (i) be valued on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing methods used by the Fund or its Master Portfolio ; (ii) are accompanied by satisfactory assurance that the Fund will have good and marketable title to such securities received by it; (iii) are not subject to any restrictions upon resale by the Fund; (iv) be in proper form for transfer to the Fund; and (v) are accompanied by adequate information concerning the basis and other tax matters relating to the securities. All dividends, interest, subscription or other rights pertaining to such securities shall become the property of the Fund engaged in the in-kind purchase transaction and must be delivered to such Fund by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. Securities acquired through an in-kind purchase will be acquired for investment and not for immediate resale. Each Fund immediately will transfer to its Master Portfolio any and all securities received by it in connection with an in-kind purchase transaction, in exchange for interests in such Master Portfolio. Shares purchased in exchange for securities generally cannot be redeemed until the transfer has settled.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS OR PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS. The Trust
may suspend the right of redemption or postpone redemption payments for longer
than seven days for any period during which (i) the NYSE is closed (other than
customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) trading on the NYSE is
restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or
valuation of a Master Portfolio's investments is not reasonably practicable; or
(iv) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit, as permitted under
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, and other applicable laws.
Portfolio Transactions
Since each Fund invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio, set forth below is a description of the Master Portfolios' policies governing portfolio securities transactions.
GENERAL. BGFA assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of each Master Portfolio for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, BGFA's policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any, execution capability, settlement capability, back office efficiency and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by BGFA based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected
because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. While BGFA generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads on commissions, each Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread on commission available.
BGFA does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Master Portfolios have adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Master Portfolio's interests or Fund shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of fixed income securities for the Bond Index Master Portfolio usually are principal transactions and ordinarily are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or broker-dealer. The Bond Index Master Portfolio does not usually pay brokerage commissions in connection with such purchases and sales, but such transactions may be subject to mark-ups or mark-downs.
A Master Portfolio's purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other accounts that BGFA manages or advises, and for which it has brokerage placement authority. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of a Master Portfolio and one or more other accounts managed or advised by BGFA are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Master Portfolio and the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by BGFA. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Master Portfolio is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to a Master Portfolio. BGFA may deal, trade and invest for its own account in the types of securities in which a Master Portfolio may invest. BGFA may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf of and for the account of a Master Portfolio with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BGFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. The Master Portfolios will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by applicable SEC rule or regulation or by SEC exemptive order.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High portfolio turnover rates may result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses and larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to interestholders of a Master Portfolio and shareholders of a corresponding Fund. The variation in the portfolio turnover rate for the Bond Index Master Portfolio for the fiscal year ended 2006 (57%) as compared to the Master Portfolio's portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended 2005 (76%) is due to the Master Portfolio's decreased activity in mortgage pass-through securities on a when-issued or to-be-announced ("TBA") basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS. The table below sets forth the brokerage commissions paid by each Master Portfolio for the periods noted. Any differences in brokerage commissions paid by the Master Portfolios from year to year are due to changes in market conditions and the frequency and size of interestholder transactions. None of these brokerage commissions were paid to affiliated brokers.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED MASTER PORTFOLIO 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 ------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Bond Index Master Portfolio N/A N/A N/A S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio $103,291 $56,860 $85,982 |
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID TO AFFILIATES. During the past three fiscal years, the Master Portfolios did not pay brokerage commissions to affiliated brokers.
SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKERS-DEALERS. As of December 31, 2006, the Master Portfolios owned securities of its "regular brokers or dealers" (as defined in the 1940 Act), or their parents, as follows:
MASTER PORTFOLIO BROKER-DEALER OR PARENT AMOUNT ---------------------------- -------------------------- ----------- Bond Index Master Portfolio Citigroup Inc. $774,297 Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. $508,376 Morgan Stanley $430,257 JP Morgan Chase & Co. $414,799 |
MASTER PORTFOLIO BROKER-DEALER OR PARENT AMOUNT ------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------- Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The) $ 401,508 Bank of America Corp. $ 198,259 Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. $ 144,394 S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio Bank of America Corp. $50,850,718 Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. $19,620,714 Morgan Stanley $18,095,212 Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The) $18,091,411 Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. $ 8,836,309 |
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES. Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on funds and their shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of a fund's portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
Each Fund may invest only in interests of its respective Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing. MIP's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing activity because the Master Portfolios' holdings are valued as of the same time as of which the NAV for the Master Portfolios is calculated (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), which eliminates the potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Master Portfolios' holdings and the reflection of that change in the Master Portfolios' respective NAV. MIP's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the Master Portfolios are aggregated, and the process of aggregating is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the Master Portfolios' investment strategies.
The Trust's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, as described in the preceding paragraphs, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
BGI's ability to monitor trades that are placed by participants in plans that are shareholders in the Funds or other shareholders in the Funds that are trading through omnibus accounts maintained by intermediaries has been severely limited because BGI has not been receiving transaction information showing individual investment decisions. Upon request by the Funds, intermediaries will be required to provide certain transaction information that may enable the Funds to identify trading activity that is potentially harmful to the Funds. The Funds may, but do not have the obligation to, respond to any potentially harmful trading activity that is identified. In the event any potentially harmful trading activity is identified, responses may include the imposition of trading restrictions, the rejection of purchases, or such other steps the Funds determine are appropriate. Intermediaries' ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of their clients may, however, be affected by legal or technological limitations.
Distributions and Taxes
The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in the Prospectus entitled "Taxes." The Prospectus generally describes the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions by the Funds. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "IRC"), applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. The following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters.
A shareholder's tax treatment may vary depending upon his or her particular situation. This discussion only applies to shareholders who are U.S. persons, I.E., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and hold Fund shares as capital assets within the meaning of the IRC. Except as otherwise noted, it may
not apply to certain types of shareholders who may be subject to special rules, such as insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, shareholders holding Fund shares through tax-advantaged accounts (such as 401(k) plan accounts or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs")), financial institutions, broker-dealers, entities that are not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States, shareholders holding Fund shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction, and shareholders who are subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the foregoing discussion and the discussions in the Prospectuses applicable to each shareholder address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the Funds. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers and financial planners as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds, as well as the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign laws, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. Each Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the IRC, as long as such qualification is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. Each Fund will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the IRC applicable to regulated investment companies generally will apply separately to each Fund, rather than to the Trust as a whole. Furthermore, each Fund will separately determine its income, gains, losses and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC, each Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined in section 851(h) of the IRC). Pursuant to regulations that may be promulgated in the future, the IRS may limit qualifying income from foreign currency gains to the amount of such currency gains which are directly related to a Fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities. Each Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the value of its assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (B) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the regulated investment company's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the regulated investment company's total assets is invested in (A) the securities (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, (B) the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers that the regulated investment company controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (C) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The qualifying income and diversification requirements applicable to a Fund may limit the extent to which it can engage in transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements.
In addition, each Fund generally must distribute to its shareholders an amount
equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its "investment company taxable
income," as that term is defined in the IRC (which generally includes, among
other things, dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of any net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain
deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and
(ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income earned in each taxable year. A Fund
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the investment
company taxable income and net capital gain (I.E., the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its
shareholders. Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when
paid, if a Fund declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October,
November or December of one year and pays the distribution by January 31 of the
following year, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund
paid the distribution by December 31 of the calendar year in which it is
declared. Each Fund intends to distribute its net income and gain in a timely
manner to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and eliminate
Fund-level U.S. federal income taxation of such income and gain. However, no
assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income
taxation.
If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC or fails to meet the distribution requirements, such Fund would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and all distributions from the Fund's earnings and profits (including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and
net long-term capital gains) to its shareholders also would be taxable as ordinary income at the shareholder level. To qualify again to be taxed as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund may be required to pay an interest charge and penalty to the IRS as well as distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-regulated investment company years. In addition, if the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
EXCISE TAX. A 4% non-deductible excise tax will be imposed on each Fund's capital gain net income to the extent it fails to distribute during each calendar year (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (excluding capital gains and losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98% of its capital gain net income for the 12 month period ending on October 31, and (3) all of its ordinary capital gain net income from previous years that were not distributed or subject to tax during such years. Each Fund intends to actually or be deemed to distribute substantially all of its net income and gains, if any, by the end of each calendar year and, thus, expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to the excise tax.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRY-FORWARDS. A Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss from any year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss. A Fund's capital loss carry-forward is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. If future capital gains are offset by carried-forward capital losses, such future capital gains are not subject to Fund-level U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the Funds do not expect to distribute such capital gains. The Funds cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses. As of December 31, 2006, the Funds had capital loss carry-forwards approximating the amount indicated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, expiring in the years indicated:
EXPIRING EXPIRING EXPIRING EXPIRING EXPIRING EXPIRING FUND 12/31/2008 12/31/2010 12/31/2011 12/31/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 ------------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ------------- Bond Index Fund $1,845,447 - $159,923 - $ 1,501,172 $ 2,280,081 S&P 500 Stock Fund - $72,553,461 - $1,601,227 $21,068,837 $31,394,394 |
EQUALIZATION ACCOUNTING. Under the IRC, a Fund may use the so-called "equalization method" of accounting to allocate a portion of its "earnings and profits," which generally equals a Fund's undistributed net investment income and realized capital gains, with certain adjustments, to redemption proceeds. This method permits a Fund to achieve more balanced distributions for both continuing and redeeming shareholders. Although using this method generally will not affect a Fund's total returns, it may reduce the amount that the Fund would otherwise distribute to continuing shareholders by reducing the Fund's required distributions amounts by a portion of the redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders. However, the IRS may not have expressly sanctioned the equalization accounting method used by the Funds, and thus the use of this method may be subject to IRS scrutiny.
INVESTMENT THROUGH MASTER PORTFOLIOS. Each Fund seeks to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets in a Master Portfolio. Each Master Portfolio is treated as a non-publicly traded partnership (or, in the event that a Fund is the sole investor in a Master Portfolio, as disregarded from the Fund) for U.S. federal income tax purposes rather than as a regulated investment company or a corporation under the IRC. Under the rules applicable to a non-publicly traded partnership (or disregarded entity), a proportionate share of any interest, dividends, gains and losses of a Master Portfolio will be deemed to have been realized by (I.E., "passed-through" to) its investors, including the Fund, regardless of whether any amounts are actually distributed by the Master Portfolio. Each investor in a Master Portfolio will be taxable on such share, as determined in accordance with the governing instruments of the particular Master Portfolio, the IRC and Treasury Regulations. Therefore, to the extent that a Master Portfolio were to accrue but not distribute any income or gains, a Fund would be deemed to have realized its proportionate share of such income or gains without receipt of any corresponding distribution. However, each Master Portfolio will seek to minimize recognition by its investors (such as a Fund) of income and gains without a corresponding distribution. Furthermore, each Master Portfolio's assets, income and distributions will be managed in such a way that an investor in a Master Portfolio will be able to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets through the Master Portfolio.
TAXATION OF FUND INVESTMENTS. In general, if a Fund realizes gains or losses on the sale of portfolio securities, such gains or losses. If the Fund has held the disposed securities for more than one year at the time of disposition such gains and losses generally are treated as long-term capital gains or losses.
If a Fund purchases a debt obligation with original issue discount ("OID"), generally at a price less than its principal amount, such as a zero-coupon bond, the Fund may be required to annually include in its taxable income a portion of the OID as ordinary income, even though the Fund will not receive cash payments for such discount until maturity or disposition of the obligation. A portion of the OID includible in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Gains recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including a municipal obligation) purchased by a Fund at a market discount, generally at a price less than its principal amount, generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of market discount which accrued, but was not previously recognized pursuant to an available election, during the term that the Fund held the debt obligation. A Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the OID on debt securities that is currently includible in income, even though the cash representing such income may not have been received by the Fund. Cash to pay such distributions may be obtained from borrowing or from sales proceeds of securities held by a Fund which the Fund otherwise might have continued to hold.
If an option granted by a Fund lapses or is terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund generally will realize a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund in the closing transaction. Some capital losses may be deferred if they result from a position that is part of a "straddle," discussed below. If securities are sold by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a call option granted by it, the Fund will add the premium received to the sale price of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.
Some regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts, and non-equity listed options used by a Fund will be deemed "Section 1256 contracts." A Fund will be required to "mark to market" any such contracts held at the end of the taxable year by treating them as if they had been sold on the last day of that year at fair market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on all dispositions of Section 1256 contracts, including deemed dispositions under the "mark-to-market" rule, generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 40% will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Transactions that qualify as designated "hedging transactions," as defined in Section 1221(b)(2) of the IRC, are excepted from the mark-to-market rule and the "60%/40%" rule.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the IRC, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of the Fund's income. Under future Treasury Regulations, any such transactions that are not directly related to a Fund's investments in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% income test described above. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year exceeds a Fund's investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years.
Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain financial forward, futures or options contracts may be considered, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to constitute "straddles." "Straddles" are defined to include "offsetting positions" in actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of "straddles" is governed by Section 1092 of the IRC which, in certain circumstances, overrides or modifies the provisions of Section 1256. If a Fund is treated as entering into "straddles" by engaging in certain financial forward, futures or option contracts, such straddles could be characterized as "mixed straddles" if one or more (but not all) of the futures, forward, or option contracts or other positions comprising a part of such straddles are governed by Section 1256 of the IRC, described above. A Fund may make one or more elections with respect to "mixed straddles." Depending upon which election is made, if any, the results with respect to a Fund may differ. Generally, to the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by a Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle and the conversion transaction rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain may be characterized as short-term capital gain or ordinary income. Further, the Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than deduct currently, any interest expense on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry any positions that are part of a straddle. Because the application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains and losses, defer losses, and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income of long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a Fund that had not engaged in such transactions.
If a Fund enters into a "constructive sale" of any appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest, or certain debt instruments, the Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale occurs when a Fund enters into one of the following transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the property. Losses from a constructive sale of property will be recognized when the property is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the property and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the IRC. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to a transaction if such transaction is closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, the Fund holds the appreciated financial position throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed, and the Fund's risk of loss with respect to such position is not reduced at any time during such 60-day period.
The amount of long-term capital gain a Fund may recognize from derivative transactions is limited with respect to certain pass-through entities. The amount of long-term capital gain is limited to the amount of such gain a Fund would have had if the Fund directly invested in the pass-through entity during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain in excess of this amount is treated as ordinary income. An interest charge is imposed on the amount of gain that is treated as ordinary income.
"Passive foreign investment corporations" ("PFICs") are generally defined as foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income. If a Fund acquires any equity interest (which generally includes not only stock, but may also include an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond under Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future) in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and IRS interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. Excess distributions will be characterized as ordinary income even though, absent the application of PFIC rules, some excess distributions would have been classified as capital gain.
A Fund will not be permitted to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for taxes and interest charges incurred with respect to PFICs. Elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require a Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. Investments in PFICs could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Funds may limit and/or manage their holdings in PFICs to minimize their tax liability or maximize their returns from these investments. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC in advance of acquiring shares in the corporation, however, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Rules governing the U.S. federal income tax aspects of swap agreements are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while each Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner it deems to be appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of a Fund as a regulated investment company might be jeopardized. The Funds intend to monitor developments in this area. Certain requirements that must be met under the IRC in order for each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which a Fund will be able to engage in swap agreements.
In addition to the investments described above, prospective shareholders should be aware that other investments made by the Funds may involve sophisticated tax rules that may result in income or gain recognition by the Funds without corresponding current cash receipts. Although the Funds seek to avoid significant non-cash income, such non-cash income could be recognized by the Funds, in which case the Funds may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above. In this regard, the Funds could be required at times to liquidate investments prematurely in order to satisfy their minimum distribution requirements.
TAXATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Fund's earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the Fund's taxable year and are allocated pro rata to distributions made throughout the entire year. All distributions paid out of a Fund's earnings and profits (as determined at the end of the year), whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund, generally are deemed to be taxable distributions and must generally be reported on each Fund shareholder's U.S. federal income tax return. Distributions in excess of a Fund's earnings and profits will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a
shareholder's tax basis in the shareholder's Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis as capital gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. A Fund may make distributions in excess of earnings and profits to a limited extent, from time to time.
In general, assuming that each Fund has sufficient earnings and profits, distributions from investment company taxable income either are taxable as ordinary income or, if so designated by a Fund and certain other conditions are met, as "qualified dividend income" taxable at a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate to individual shareholders.
Dividend income distributed to individual shareholders will qualify as "qualified dividend income" as that term is defined in Section 1(h)(11)(B) of the IRC to the extent such distributions are attributable to income from the Fund's investments in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain qualified foreign corporations provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and the shareholders. Since the income of the Bond Index Fund is not generally from sources that pay qualified dividend income, none of the distributions to shareholders of that Fund are expected to be taxable as qualified dividend income.
A distribution that is attributable to qualified dividend income of a Fund that is paid by the Fund to an individual shareholder will not be taxable as qualified dividend income to such shareholder if (1) the dividend is received with respect to any share of the Fund held for fewer than 61 days during the 121 day-period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share became ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) the shareholder elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. The "ex-dividend" date is the date on which the owner of the share at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such share even if the share is sold by the owner on that date or thereafter.
Distributions designated by a Fund as a capital gain dividend will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the Fund's actual net capital gain for the taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Each Fund will designate capital gain dividends, if any, in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year. The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
Some states will not tax distributions made to individual shareholders that are attributable to interest a Fund earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government if the Fund meets the state's minimum investment or reporting requirements, if any. Investments in GNMA or FNMA securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities generally do not qualify for tax-free treatment. This exemption may not apply to corporate shareholders.
SALES OF FUND SHARES. Redemptions generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transaction. In general, if Fund shares are sold, a shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held such Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the sale.
If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to any Fund share and such Fund share is held for six months or less, then (unless otherwise disallowed) any loss on the sale or exchange of that Fund share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend. If a shareholder realizes a loss on a disposition of Fund shares, the loss will be disallowed to the extent that the shareholder purchases substantially identical shares within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of a Fund of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of
whether or not the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
FOREIGN TAXES. Amounts realized by a Fund on foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year were to consist of securities of non-U.S. corporations, the Fund would be eligible to file an annual election with the IRS pursuant to which the Fund could pass-through to its shareholders on a pro rata basis foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund, which could be claimed, subject to certain limitations, either as a tax credit or deduction by shareholders. However, none of the Funds expect to qualify for this election.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATES. As of the printing of this SAI, the maximum stated individual U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to (i) ordinary income generally is 35%; (ii) qualified dividend income is 15%; (iii) capital gain dividend is 15%; and (iv) long-term capital gains is 15%.
An individual shareholder also should be aware that the benefits of the favorable tax rates applicable to capital gain dividends, long-term capital gains, and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax.
The maximum stated corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, capital gain dividends and long-term capital gain is generally 35%. Actual marginal tax rates may be higher for some shareholders, for example, through reductions in deductions. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by any taxpayer will be affected by a combination of tax laws covering, for example, deductions, credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters. Federal income tax rates are set to increase in future years under various "sunset" provisions of laws enacted in 2001 and 2003.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Trust may be required to withhold, subject to certain exemptions, at a rate of 28% ("backup withholding") on all distributions and redemption proceeds (including proceeds from exchanges and redemptions in-kind) paid or credited to a Fund shareholder, unless the shareholder generally certifies under penalties of perjury that the "taxpayer identification number" ("TIN"), generally the shareholder's social security or employer identification number, provided is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder's TIN is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding. This tax is not an additional U.S. federal income tax imposed on the shareholder, and the shareholder may claim the tax withheld as a tax payment on his or her U.S. federal income tax return, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. An investor must provide a valid TIN upon opening or reopening an account. If a shareholder fails to furnish a valid TIN upon request, the shareholder can also be subject to IRS penalties. The rate of backup withholding is set to increase in future years under "sunset" provisions of a law enacted in 2001.
TAX-DEFERRED PLANS. The shares of the Funds may be available for a variety of tax-deferred retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts, including IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plans ("SEP-IRAs"), Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees ("SIMPLE Plans"), Roth IRAs, and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. Prospective investors should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged plan or account.
CORPORATE SHAREHOLDERS. Subject to limitations and other rules, a corporate shareholder of the S&P 500 Stock Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction on Fund distributions to the extent that such distributions are attributable to dividends from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such deduction. In general, a distribution by a Fund attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will only be eligible for the deduction if: (i) the corporate shareholder holds the Fund shares upon which the distribution is made for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days prior to the date upon which the shareholder becomes entitled to the distribution; and (ii) the Fund holds the shares of the domestic corporation producing the dividend income in an unleveraged position for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days prior to the date upon which the Fund becomes entitled to such dividend income. A longer holding period applies to investments in preferred stock.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. With respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008, certain distributions, if designated by a Fund as "interest-related dividends," generally attributable to the Fund's net interest income earned on certain debt obligations paid to a non-resident alien individual, foreign trust (I.E., a trust other than a trust which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of that trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control substantial decisions of that trust), foreign estate (I.E., the income of which is not subject to U.S. tax regardless of source) or a foreign corporation (each, a "foreign shareholder") generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax withholding tax, provided the Fund obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status from such foreign shareholder ("exempt
foreign shareholder"). Each Fund may choose to designate any interest-related dividends in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year. Other distributions made to exempt foreign shareholders attributable to net investment income, such as dividends received by a Fund, generally will be subject to non-refundable U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a distribution described above is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment) of the recipient foreign shareholder, U.S. federal income tax withholding and exemptions attributable to foreign persons will not apply and the distribution will be subject to the tax, reporting and withholding requirements generally applicable to U.S. persons.
In general, a foreign shareholder's capital gains realized on the disposition
of Fund shares, capital gain distributions and, with respect to taxable years
of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008,
"short-term capital gain distributions" (defined below) are not subject to U.S.
federal income tax withholding, provided that the Fund obtains a properly
completed and signed certificate of foreign status, unless: (i) such gains or
distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (or, if
an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment) of
the foreign shareholder; (ii) in the case of an individual foreign shareholder,
the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods
aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other
conditions are met; or (iii) with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning
on or after January 1, 2005, and before January 1, 2008, such gains or
distributions are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real
property interest. If such gains or distributions are effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business or are attributable to a U.S. permanent
establishment of the foreign shareholder pursuant to an income tax treaty, the
tax, reporting and withholding requirements applicable to U.S. persons
generally apply. If such gains or distributions are not effectively connected
for this purpose, but the foreign shareholder meets the requirements of clause
(ii) described above, such gains and distributions will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so
provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Gains or distributions
attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests
are taxed to a foreign shareholder as if that gain were effectively connected
with the shareholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, and therefore such
gains or distributions may be required to be reported by a foreign shareholder
on a U.S. federal income tax return. Such gains or distributions also will be
subject to U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. holders and/or may
be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding. While the Funds do not
expect Fund shares to constitute U.S. real property interests, a portion of a
Fund's distributions may be attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of
U.S. real property interests. Foreign shareholders should contact their tax
advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of such
distributions. "Short-term capital gain distributions" are certain
distributions that a Fund may choose to designate as such in a written notice
mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close
of the Fund's taxable year generally attributable to its net short-term capital
gain.
If a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the U.S. at the time of the shareholder's death, Fund shares will be deemed to be property situated in the U.S. and will be subject to federal estate taxes (at current graduated rates of 18% to 45% of the total value, less allowable deductions and credits). With respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2008, if a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the United States at the time of the shareholder's death, Fund shares will not be deemed to be property situated in the United States in the proportion that, at the end of the quarter of the Fund's taxable year immediately preceding the shareholder's date of death, the assets of the Fund that were "qualifying assets" (I.E., bank deposits, debt obligations or property not within the United States) with respect to the decedent bore to the total assets of the Fund. In general, no federal gift tax will be imposed on gifts of Fund shares made by foreign shareholders.
The availability of reduced U.S. taxes pursuant to the 1972 Convention or the applicable estate tax convention depends upon compliance with established procedures for claiming the benefits thereof, and may, under certain circumstances, depend upon the foreign shareholder making a satisfactory demonstration to U.S. tax authorities that the shareholder qualifies as a foreign person under federal income tax laws and the 1972 Convention.
Special rules apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships.
Capital Stock
As of the date of this SAI, the beneficial interests in the Trust are divided into transferable shares of eleven separate and distinct series authorized and established by the Board of Trustees. The number of shares of each series, and class thereof, is unlimited and
each share has no par value. The Board of Trustees may, in the future, authorize the issuance of other series representing shares of additional investment portfolios or funds.
Although the Trust is not required to hold regular annual shareholder meetings, occasional annual or special meetings may be required for purposes such as electing and removing Trustees, approving advisory contracts, and changing a Fund's investment objective or fundamental investment policies.
VOTING. All shares of the Trust will be voted separately by individual series, except: (i) when required by the 1940 Act, shares will be voted in the aggregate and not by individual series; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one series, then the shareholders of all such affected series will be entitled to vote thereon in the aggregate and not by individual series. The Trustees also may determine that a matter affects only the interests of one or more classes of a series, in which case any such matter will be voted on separately by such class or classes. For example, a change in a Fund's fundamental investment policy would be voted upon only by shareholders of that Fund. Additionally, approval of a Master Portfolio's Advisory Contract is a matter to be determined separately by each Master Portfolio. Approval by the shareholders of a Fund is effective as to that Fund whether or not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other investment portfolios to approve the proposal as to those investment portfolios. As used in the Prospectus of each Fund and in this SAI, the term "1940 Act majority," when referring to approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Fund, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The term "majority," when referring to the approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Trust as a whole, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the Trust's shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares.
Each share will entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each dollar (and each fractional dollar thereof) of NAV (number of shares owned times NAV per share) of shares outstanding in such holder's name on the books of the Trust. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Depending on the terms of a particular benefit plan and the matter being submitted to a vote, a sponsor may request direction from individual participants regarding a shareholder vote. For additional voting information and a discussion of the possible effects of changes to a Master Portfolio's objective or policies on a Fund, as an interestholder in the Master Portfolio, or the Fund's shareholders, see "Master/Feeder Structure" above.
The Trust may dispense with an annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which it is not required to elect Trustees under the 1940 Act. However, the Trust will hold a special meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of voting on the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees if requested in writing by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding voting securities, and to assist in communicating with other shareholders as required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportional interest in the Fund with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to the Fund as are declared in the discretion of the Trustees. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets attributable to the Fund that are available for distribution, and a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular investment portfolio that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights. All shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. MIP is an open-end, series management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on October 20, 1993. MIP's Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of MIP are not binding upon its Trustees individually but only upon the property of MIP and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's office.
The interests in each Master Portfolio of MIP have voting and other rights
generally corresponding to those rights enumerated above for shares of the
Funds. MIP also intends to dispense with annual meetings, but is required by
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act to hold a special meeting and assist investor
communications under the circumstances described above with respect to the
Trust. Whenever a Fund is requested to vote on a matter with respect to its
Master Portfolio, the Fund will follow its voting procedures, as described in
"Voting" above.
Additional Information on the Funds
The Trust provides annual and semi-annual reports to all shareholders. The annual reports contain audited financial statements and other information about the Funds, including additional information on performance. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Trust's most recent annual or semi-annual reports without charge by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) or e-mailing the Funds at BGIFUNDS@seic.com.
The registration statement, including the Prospectus, this SAI and the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Statements contained in the Prospectus or this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or in the Prospectus 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, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectus, this SAI and in the Trust's official sales literature in connection with the offer of the Funds' shares and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust. This SAI does not constitute an offer in any state in which, or to any person to whom, such offering may not lawfully be made.
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements, including the schedule of investments, financial highlights and independent registered public accounting firm's reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for each Fund and related Master Portfolio are hereby incorporated by reference to the Trust's annual report, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2007. The audited financial statements are attached to all SAIs delivered to shareholders or prospective shareholders.
Appendix
Description of certain ratings assigned by S&P, Moody's and Fitch:
"AAA"
An obligor rated `AAA' has EXTREMELY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.
"AA"
An obligor rated `AA' has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest rated obligors only in small degree.
"A"
An obligor rated `A' has STRONG capacity to meets its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher rated categories.
"BBB"
An obligor rated `BBB' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"BB"
An obligor rated `BB' is LESS VULNERABLE in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligor rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE than the obligors rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments.
"CCC"
An obligor rated `CCC' is CURRENTLY VULNERABLE, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meets its financial commitments.
"CC"
An obligor rated `CC' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE.
Obligors rated `BB', `B', `CCC', and `CC' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. `BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and `CC' the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)
The ratings from `AA' to `CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligation on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
"PUBLIC INFORMATION RATINGS"
Ratings with a `pi' subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer's published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer's management and are therefore based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a `pi' subscript. Ratings with a `pi' subscript are reviewed annually based on each new year's financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer's credit quality.
Outlooks are not provided for ratings with a `pi' subscript, nor are they subject to potential CreditWatch listings. Ratings with a `pi' subscript generally are not modified with `+' or `-' designations. However, such designations may be assigned when the issuer's credit rating is constrained by sovereign risk or the credit quality of a parent company or affiliated group.
"A-1"
An obligor rated `A-1' has STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments is EXTREMELY STRONG.
"A-2"
An obligor rated `A-2' has SATISFACTORY capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
"A-3"
An obligor rated `A-3' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligation rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE to non-payment then obligations rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"C"
A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated `C' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE to non-payment. The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this
obligation are being continued. A `C' also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of S&P analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
"AAA"
Obligations rated `Aaa' are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
"AA"
Obligations rated `Aa' are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
"A"
Obligations rated `A' are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
"BAA"
Obligations rated `Baa' are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
"BA"
Obligations rated `Ba' are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
"B"
Obligations rated `B' are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
"CAA"
Obligations rated `Caa' are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
"CA"
Obligations rated `Ca' are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
"C"
Obligations rated `C' are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
NOTE: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
"P-1"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-1' have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-2"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-2' have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-3"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-3' have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
"NP"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Not Prime' do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch's long-term credit ratings represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt. The ratings take into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current financial condition and operative performance of the issuer and of any guarantor, as well as the political and economic environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
"AAA"
Highest credit quality. `AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
"AA"
Very high credit quality. `AA' ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
"A"
High credit quality. `A' ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
"BBB"
Good credit quality. `BBB' ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
"BB"
Speculative. `BB' ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
"B"
Highly speculative. `B' ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"CCC", "CC" AND "C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic development. A `CC' rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. `C' ratings signal imminent default.
"RD"
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due on 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.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the `AAA' long-term category, to categories below `CCC', or to short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
Fitch's short-term credit ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment notes.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
"F-1"
Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
"F-2"
Good credit quality. Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
"F-3"
Fair credit quality. Indicates the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
"B"
Speculative. Indicates minimal capacity for timely payments of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
"C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Indicates capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"D"
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
AON CAPTIVES SHARES
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objective .. 1 Principal Investment 2 Strategy Principal Risk Factors 3 Investment Returns .... 4 Fees and Expenses ..... 5 Management of the Fund 7 Shareholder 9 Information Financial Highlights .. 15 |
Investment Objective(1)
The investment objective for the Institutional Money Market Fund is to seek a high level of income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital.
(1)The Institutional Money Market Fund (the "Fund") invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the Fund. All discussion of the investment objective, strategies and risks of the Fund refers also to the investment objective, strategies and risks of its Master Portfolio, unless otherwise indicated. A detailed description of the relationship of the Fund to its Master Portfolio appears under the heading "Master/Feeder Mutual Fund Structure" in this Prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategy
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to invest at least 95% of its assets in any combination of such investments, which may include certificates of deposit, high-quality debt obligations, such as corporate debt, certain obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certain repurchase agreements and obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises).
The Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) in the obligations of domestic banks.
Principal Risk Factors
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
While some of the Fund's portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Fund's income to fluctuate as the market value of the Fund's securities fluctuates.
The Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so.
The Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
The risks generally associated with concentrating investments in the banking industry include interest rate risk, credit risk, and the risk of negative regulatory or market developments affecting the banking and financial services industries.
FOR A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUND'S MASTER PORTFOLIO'S PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUND'S STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUND
The Fund is designed for investors who seek income from a high quality portfolio and/or wish to maintain the value of their investment in the long- and short-term.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar chart and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of
investing in the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund by showing the changes in
their performance from year to year. The bar chart shows the return of the Aon
Captives Shares of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Fund's
inception date. The average annual total return table compares the average
annual total return of the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund to those of a group
of corresponding funds for various periods of time. How the Fund performed in
the past is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future.
Institutional Money Market Fund - Aon Captives Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2000 6.46% 2001 4.12% 2002 1.70% 2003 1.04% 2004 1.29% 2005 3.19% 2006 5.00% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.66% in the 4th quarter of 2000; the worst was 0.23% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2003 and the 1st quarter of 2004.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
SINCE INCEPTION 1 YEAR 5 YEARS (AUGUST 4, 1999) ---------- --------- ----------------- Institutional Money 5.00% 2.43% 3.36% Market Fund-Aon Captives Shares MFR Averages/FTIA(1) 4.79% 2.20% 3.13%(2) |
(1)The Aon Captives Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund are
tracked against the Money Fund Report ("MFR") First Tier Institutional
Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(2)The MFR average is calculated from July 31, 1999.
The Fund's seven-day yield, also called the current yield, annualizes the amount of income the Fund generates over a seven-day period by projecting the amount for an entire year.
To learn the Fund's current seven-day yield, call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Aon Captives Shares of the Fund.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND (AON CAPTIVES SHARES) -------------- Management fees(1) 0.10% Distribution (12b-1) fees 0.10% Other expenses 0.05% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Total annual class 0.25% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.03)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.22% |
(1)Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA"), the investment adviser of the
Fund's Master Portfolio, has contractually agreed to waive a portion of
its management fee through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such
contractual waiver, the management fee will be 0.07%.
(2)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the
Independent Trustees of the Fund and the Master Portfolio, counsel to the
Independent Trustees of the Fund and the Master Portfolio and the
independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and
non-audit services in connection with the Fund and the Master Portfolio
that are allocated to the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund. Barclays Global
Investors, N.A. ("BGI") and BGFA, as applicable, have contractually agreed
to reimburse, or provide offsetting credits to, the Aon Captives Shares of
the Fund and the Master Portfolio for Independent Expenses through April
30, 2009. After giving effect to such contractual arrangements,
Independent Expenses will be 0.00%.
(3) Total annual class operating expenses in the above table and the
following example reflect the expenses of both the Fund and the Master
Portfolio in which it invests.
(4) The Fund's service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees
or reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this
table does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Aon Captives Shares of the Fund with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Aon Captives Shares of the Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE FUND DOES NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
AON CAPTIVES SHARES
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Institutional Money $23 $74 $134 $312 Market Fund |
Management of the Fund
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio
that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and
policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as
investment adviser to the Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the
Master Portfolio's assets and provides the Master Portfolio with investment
guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management,
subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees. For its
services to the Master Portfolio, BGFA is entitled to receive an advisory fee
at the annual rate of 0.10% (0.07% pursuant to the current contractual fee
waiver) of the Master Portfolio's average daily net assets.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invests.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreement with BGFA is available in the Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Fund's Administrator:
[] Supervise the Fund's administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Fund.
BGI is entitled to a receive fee for these services at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Fund's independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. No additional administration fees are charged at the Master Portfolio level.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Fund for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Fund, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Fund's other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Fund's distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), for the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund. This Distribution Plan is used to pay for distribution-related services, including ongoing compensation to selling agents, including Aon Securities Corporation. The fees are paid out of the Aon Captives Shares' assets on an ongoing basis. Over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The fees paid under the Distribution Plan are at an annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
The minimum initial investment amount for the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund is $500,000; however, in certain situations, this minimum initial investment amount may be reduced or waived. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), the Fund's custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, on any day the Fund is open (a "Business Day") by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day. The Fund is generally open Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and generally closed on all other days that the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities are closed or the Fedwire Funds Service is closed.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars and funds must be received via the Fedwire Funds Service by its close, or by such other means as the Fund may from time to time determine. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Fund generally remits the proceeds from a sale the same Business Day after receiving a properly executed order to sell. The Fund can delay payment for one day, or longer than one day under extraordinary circumstances. Generally, those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of a Fund's investment is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by order may permit. The Fund reserves the right to suspend your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds, as permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act and other applicable laws. The Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds, which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your shares. For example, the Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any
charge relating to a transaction effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares, as provided from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, the Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS
An existing shareholder who has established an account with the Fund can add to
or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Share Class Number:
1126 (Institutional Money Market Fund - Aon Captives Shares)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the
Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time).
IBT will employ procedures designed to confirm that your order is valid. These
may include asking for identifying information and recording the phone call.
Neither IBT nor the Fund may be held liable for acting on telephone
instructions that IBT reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds
directly to your designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include the Fund's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] To invest or redeem shares online, please contact IBT for information about how to access online trading features.
[] An existing shareholder can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When an existing shareholder purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
(1)The following procedures are intended to help prevent fraud. If you wish
to make a change to your list of authorized traders, you must provide a
written request on letterhead signed by an authorized signer on your
account. If you wish to change your bank wire instructions or list of
authorized signers, you must make your request in writing on letterhead
and include a medallion signature guarantee. You can obtain a medallion
signature guarantee from most banks and securities dealers. A medallion
signature guarantee is not a notarized signature.
(2) If you direct the sale proceeds to someone other than your account's
owner of record, to an address other than your account's address of record
or to a bank not designated previously, you must make your request in
writing and include a medallion signature guarantee to help prevent fraud.
You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee from most banks and
securities dealers. A medallion signature guarantee is not a notarized
signature.
CALCULATING THE FUND'S SHARE PRICE
The Fund's share price (also known as the Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
The Fund's NAV is calculated at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolio's portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). The NAV of the Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Fund's SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolio's investments.
The Fund seeks to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, although it can offer no assurance that it will be able to do so.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund declares distributions of its net investment income daily and distributes them monthly to shareholders. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
You begin earning distributions on your shares the day your purchase order takes effect. You continue earning daily distributions on your shares up to but not including the date you sell them.
The Fund credits distributions earned on weekends and holidays to the preceding Business Day. If you sell shares before the monthly distribution payment date, the Fund remits any distributions declared but not yet paid on the next distribution payment date. If you sell all shares before the monthly distribution payment date, the Fund remits all distributions accrued with the sale proceeds.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
The Fund invests only in interests of the Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolio and the Fund have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. The Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objective and strategy of the Master Portfolio. The Fund's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Fund in light of the nature of the Fund's investment in the Master Portfolio, the policies of the Master Portfolio, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Fund.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from the Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and based on the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you and your tax rate.
Distributions from the Fund generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------- Income .................. Ordinary income(1) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(2) |
Normally, the Fund does not expect to realize or distribute a significant amount of long-term capital gains.
After the end of each year, the Fund will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Fund if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Fund does not have its own investment adviser. Instead, the Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to the Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolio may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolio and, therefore, the Fund.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Fund, bear the Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Fund's Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw the Fund's assets from the Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw the Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
SHARE CLASS
The Fund offers additional share classes with different expenses and expected returns than those described in this Prospectus, including share classes you may be eligible to purchase. Call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) for additional information.
Financial Highlights
The financial table in this section is intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Aon Captives Share of the Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Aon Captives Shares of the Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is included in the Fund's annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - AON CAPTIVES SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------- ------- --------- -------- ------ BEGINNING OF YEAR INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.02 Net realized gain 0.00 (a) 0.00 (a) 0.00 (a) 0.00 (a) - ------- ------- --------- -------- ------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.02 ------- ------- --------- -------- ------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) Net realized gain - - - (0.00)(a) - ------- ------- --------- -------- ------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) ------- ------- --------- -------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ========= ======== ======= YEAR TOTAL RETURN 5.00% 3.19% 1.29% 1.04% 1.70% ======= ======= ========= ======== ======= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of year $69,083 $77,899 $106,433 $ 55,399 $ 8,211 (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(b) 0.19% 0.15% 0.15% 0.22% 0.22% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.23% 0.22% 0.22% n/a n/a reductions(b) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(b) 4.86% 3.07% 1.35% 0.97% 1.42% |
(b) These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available, without charge, upon request, by calling the number below. For more detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Fund, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Fund, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Fund or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGICash@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about the Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BGICash FROM BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objectives . 1 Principal Investment 2 Strategies Principal Risk Factors 3 Investment Returns .... 4 Fees and Expenses ..... 7 Management of the 9 Funds Shareholder 10 Information Financial Highlights .. 16 |
Investment Objectives(1)
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Institutional Money Market Fund and the
Prime Money Market Fund is to seek a high level of income consistent with
liquidity and the preservation of capital.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AND TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
(1)Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Prime Money Market Fund, the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the Fund. All discussion of the investment objective, strategies and risks of a particular Fund refers also to the investment objective, strategies and risks of its Master Portfolio, unless otherwise indicated. A detailed description of the relationship of the Funds to their Master Portfolios appears under the heading "Master/Feeder Mutual Fund Structure" in this Prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategies
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. Each Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Prime Money Market Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to invest at least 95% of its assets in any combination of such investments, which may include certificates of deposit, high-quality debt obligations, such as corporate debt, certain obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certain repurchase agreements and obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises).
Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Prime Money Market Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) in the obligations of domestic banks.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with regard to such obligations, and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, in repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and in other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund.
It is further intended that under normal circumstances, 100% of the Fund's investments will be in U.S. Treasury obligations or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
Principal Risk Factors
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND, PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND AND GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a Fund.
While some of the Funds' portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Funds' income to fluctuate as the market value of the Funds' securities fluctuates.
Each Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so.
Each Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
The risks generally associated with concentrating investments in the banking industry include interest rate risk, credit risk, and the risk of negative regulatory or market developments affecting the banking and financial services industries.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
While some of the Fund's portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Fund's income to fluctuate as the market value of the Fund's securities fluctuates.
The Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. However, the Fund minimizes this risk by investing only in U.S. Treasury obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations.
The Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
FOR A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUNDS' MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUNDS' COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUNDS
The Funds are designed for investors who seek income from a high quality portfolio and/or wish to maintain the value of their investment in the long- and short-term.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Institutional Shares of the Funds by showing the changes in their performance from year to year. The bar charts show the return of the Institutional Shares of the Funds for each full calendar year since the Funds' respective inception dates. The average annual total return table compares the average annual total return of the Institutional Shares of the Funds to those of a group of corresponding funds for various periods of time. How the Funds performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
Institutional Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2000 6.55% 2001 4.23% 2002 1.83% 2003 1.14% 2004 1.39% 2005 3.29% 2006 5.11% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.68% in the 4th quarter of 2000; the worst was 0.25% in the 1st quarter of 2004.
Prime Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2004 1.40% 2005 3.26% 2006 5.07 % |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.33% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006; the worst was 0.26% in the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2004.
Government Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.28% 2006 5.04% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.33% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.62% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Treasury Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.20% 2006 5.04% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.33% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.59% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
1 YEAR 5 YEARS SINCE INCEPTION ---------- --------- ---------------- Institutional Money 5.11% 2.54% 3.47% Market Fund-Institutional Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% 2.20% 3.13%(5) Prime Money Market 5.07% N/A 2.83% Fund-Institutional Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% N/A 2.47%(5) Government Money Market 5.04% N/A 3.83% Fund-Institutional Shares(1) MFR Averages/GIA(3) 4.61% N/A 3.36%(5) Treasury Money Market 5.04% N/A 3.78% Fund-Institutional Shares(1) MFR Averages/T&RIA(4) 4.60% N/A 3.34%(5) |
(1)The returns for Institutional Shares of the Institutional Money Market
Fund, Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury
Money Market Fund are calculated since inception, August 4, 1999, April
16, 2003, September 1, 2004 and September 1, 2004, respectively.
(2) The Institutional Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund and Prime
Money Market Fund are tracked against the Money Fund Report ("MFR") First
Tier Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(3) The Institutional Shares of the Government Money Market Fund are tracked
against the MFR Government Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet,
Inc.
(4) The Institutional Shares of the Treasury Money Market Fund are tracked
against the MFR Treasury and Repo Institutional Average, a service of
iMoneyNet, Inc.
(5) The MFR averages for the Institutional Shares of the Institutional Money
Market Fund, Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and
Treasury Money Market Fund are calculated from July 31, 1999, March 31,
2003, August 31, 2004 and August 31, 2004, respectively.
Each Fund's seven-day yield, also called the current yield, annualizes the amount of income each Fund generates over a seven-day period by projecting the amount for an entire year.
To learn each Fund's current seven-day yield, call 1-877-BGI-1544
(1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of the Funds.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
INSTITUTIONAL PRIME GOVERNMENT TREASURY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Other expenses 0.05% 0.05% 0.08% 0.09% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Total annual class 0.15% 0.15% 0.18% 0.19% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.03)% (0.03)% (0.06)% (0.07)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% 0.12% |
(1)Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA"), the investment adviser of each Fund's Master Portfolio, has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fees through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such contractual waiver, the management fees will be 0.07%.
(2)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the
Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, counsel to
the Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios and the
independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and
non-audit services in connection with the Funds and the Master Portfolios
that are allocated to the Institutional Shares of the Funds. Barclays
Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI") and BGFA, as applicable, have contractually
agreed to reimburse, or provide offsetting credits to, the Institutional
Shares of the Funds and the Master Portfolios for Independent Expenses
through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such contractual
arrangements, Independent Expenses will be 0.00%.
(3) Total annual class operating expenses in the above table and the
following example reflect the expenses of both the Funds and the Master
Portfolios in which they invest.
(4) The Funds' service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees
or reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this
table does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Institutional Shares of the Funds with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Institutional Shares of each Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE FUNDS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Institutional Money $12 $42 $78 $186 Market Fund Prime Money Market Fund $12 $42 $78 $186 Government Money Market $12 $45 $89 $218 Fund Treasury Money Market $12 $47 $93 $228 Fund |
Management of the Funds
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios, BGFA is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.10% (0.07% pursuant to the current contractual fee waiver) of each Master Portfolio's average daily net assets.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Funds' Administrator:
[] Supervise the Funds' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Funds.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Institutional Shares of each Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Funds, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Funds' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. No additional administration fees are charged at the Master Portfolio level.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Funds' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
The minimum initial investment amount for the Institutional Shares of each Fund is $100 million; however, in certain situations, this minimum initial investment amount may be reduced or waived. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), the Funds' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Institutional Shares that differ from those of the Funds, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, on any day the Funds are open (a "Business Day") by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and generally closed on all other days that the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities are closed or the Fedwire Funds Service is closed.
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars and funds must be received via the Fedwire Funds Service by its close, or by such other means as the Funds may from time to time determine. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Funds generally remit the proceeds from a sale the same Business Day after
receiving a properly executed order to sell. Each Fund can delay payment for
one day, or longer than one day under extraordinary circumstances. Generally,
those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii)
trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal or valuation of a Fund's investment is not reasonably
practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") by order may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend
your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds, as
permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other
applicable laws. Each Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem
your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds,
which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your
shares. For example, a Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse
the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full
payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction
effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares, as provided
from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a Fund can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Share Class Numbers:
1127 (Institutional Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares)
1197 (Prime Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares)
1097 (Government Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares)
1107 (Treasury Money Market Fund - Institutional Shares)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the
Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time).
IBT will employ procedures designed to confirm that your order is valid. These
may include asking for identifying information and recording the phone call.
Neither IBT nor the Funds may be held liable for acting on telephone
instructions that IBT reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds
directly to your designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your Fund's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] To invest or redeem shares online, please contact IBT for information about how to access online trading features.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
(1)The following procedures are intended to help prevent fraud. If you wish
to make a change to your list of authorized traders, you must provide a
written request on letterhead signed by an authorized signer on your
account. If you wish to change your bank wire instructions or list of
authorized signers, you must make your request in writing on letterhead
and include a medallion signature guarantee. You can obtain a medallion
signature guarantee from most banks and securities dealers. A medallion
signature guarantee is not a notarized signature.
(2) If you direct the sale proceeds to someone other than your account's
owner of record, to an address other than your account's address of record
or to a bank not designated previously, you must make your request in
writing and include a medallion signature guarantee to help prevent fraud.
You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee from most banks and
securities dealers. A medallion signature guarantee is not a notarized
signature.
CALCULATING THE FUNDS' SHARE PRICE
Each Fund's share price (also known as a Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each Fund's NAV is calculated at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Funds' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments.
The Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, although they can offer no assurance that they will be able to do so.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares distributions of its net investment income daily and distributes them monthly to shareholders. A Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by a Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Fund unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
You begin earning distributions on your shares the day your purchase order takes effect. You continue earning daily distributions on your shares up to but not including the date you sell them.
Each Fund credits distributions earned on weekends and holidays to the preceding Business Day. If you sell shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits any distributions declared but not yet paid on the next distribution payment date. If you sell all shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits all distributions accrued with the sale proceeds.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
The Funds invest only in interests of the Master Portfolios, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objective and strategy of the Master Portfolios. The Funds' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in the Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and based on the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you and your tax rate.
Distributions from the Funds generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------- Income .................. Ordinary income(1) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(2) |
(2) As the Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, sales of the Funds' shares generally will not result in taxable gain or loss.
Normally, the Funds do not expect to realize or distribute a significant amount of long-term capital gains.
After the end of each year, the Funds will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Funds if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD
CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Funds do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the Funds.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Funds, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Funds' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a Fund's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
SHARE CLASS
The Funds offer additional share classes with different expenses and expected returns than those described in this Prospectus, including share classes you may be eligible to purchase. Call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) for additional information.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Institutional Shares of each Fund since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Institutional Share of each Fund. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Institutional Shares of a given Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- BEGINNING OF YEAR INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.02 Net realized gain (loss) (0.00)(a) (0.00)(a) (0.00)(a) 0.00 (a) - ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.02 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) Net realized gain - - - (0.00)(a) (0.00)(a) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.02) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ========== ========== ========== ========== =========== YEAR TOTAL RETURN 5.11% 3.29% 1.39% 1.14% 1.83% ========== ========== ========== ========== =========== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of year $4,198,724 $3,485,876 $3,624,503 $3,998,225 $3,327,652 (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(b) 0.10% 0.05% 0.06% 0.12% 0.12% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.14% 0.12% 0.12% n/a n/a reductions(b) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(b) 4.97% 3.26% 1.37% 1.13% 1.77% |
(b) These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED APR. 16, 2003(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 TO DEC. 31, 2003 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 Net realized gain (loss) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00)(b) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) Net realized gain - - (0.00)(b) (0.00)(b) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ========== ========== ========== ========== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.07% 3.26% 1.40% 0.80%(c) ========== ========== ========== ========== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $5,915,836 $6,521,818 $6,000,944 $2,967,075 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.11% 0.08% 0.04% 0.03% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.14% 0.12% 0.12% n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.93% 3.28% 1.45% 1.10% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- -------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.04% 3.28% 0.64%(b) ======= ======== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 395 $169,200 $448,100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.12% 0.03% 0.00% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.16% 0.12% 0.12% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.75% 3.04% 1.93% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) -------- -------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) -------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======== ======== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.04% 3.20% 0.61%(b) ======== ======== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $126,518 $100,343 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.19% 0.12% 0.12% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 5.03% 4.03% 1.82% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information can be found on our website at www.bgicash.com. For more
detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Funds, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Funds, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Funds or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGICash@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information visit
our website at www.bgicash.com or call
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-IS0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
PREMIUM SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BGICash FROM BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objectives . 1 Principal Investment 2 Strategies Principal Risk Factors 3 Investment Returns .... 4 Fees and Expenses ..... 7 Management of the 9 Funds Shareholder 10 Information Financial Highlights .. 16 |
Investment Objectives(1)
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Institutional Money Market Fund and the
Prime Money Market Fund is to seek a high level of income consistent with
liquidity and the preservation of capital.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AND TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
(1)Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Prime Money Market Fund, the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the Fund. All discussion of the investment objective, strategies and risks of a particular Fund refers also to the investment objective, strategies and risks of its Master Portfolio, unless otherwise indicated. A detailed description of the relationship of the Funds to their Master Portfolios appears under the heading "Master/Feeder Mutual Fund Structure" in this Prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategies
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. Each Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Prime Money Market Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to invest at least 95% of its assets in any combination of such investments, which may include certificates of deposit, high-quality debt obligations, such as corporate debt, certain obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certain repurchase agreements and obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises).
Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Prime Money Market Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) in the obligations of domestic banks.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with regard to such obligations, and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, in repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and in other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund.
It is further intended that under normal circumstances, 100% of the Fund's investments will be in U.S. Treasury obligations or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
Principal Risk Factors
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND, PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND AND GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a Fund.
While some of the Funds' portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Funds' income to fluctuate as the market value of the Funds' securities fluctuates.
Each Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so.
Each Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
The risks generally associated with concentrating investments in the banking industry include interest rate risk, credit risk, and the risk of negative regulatory or market developments affecting the banking and financial services industries.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
While some of the Fund's portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Fund's income to fluctuate as the market value of the Fund's securities fluctuates.
The Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. However, the Fund minimizes this risk by investing only in U.S. Treasury obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations.
The Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
FOR A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUNDS' MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUNDS' COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUNDS
The Funds are designed for investors who seek income from a high quality portfolio and/or wish to maintain the value of their investment in the long- and short-term.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Premium Shares of the Funds by showing the changes in their performance from year to year. The bar charts show the return of the Premium Shares of the Funds for each full calendar year since the Funds' respective inception dates. The average annual total return table compares the average annual total return of the Premium Shares of the Funds to those of a group of corresponding funds for various periods of time. How the Funds performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
Institutional Money Market Fund - Premium Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2003 1.10% 2004 1.34% 2005 3.24% 2006 5.05% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.33% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.24% in the 1st quarter of 2004.
Prime Money Market Fund - Premium Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2004 1.35% 2005 3.21% 2006 5.02 % |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006; the worst was 0.25% in the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2004.
Government Money Market Fund - Premium Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.23% 2006 4.99% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006; the worst was 0.61% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Treasury Money Market Fund - Premium Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.15% 2006 4.99% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.32% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.58% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION ---------- ---------------- Institutional Money 5.05% 2.64% Market Fund-Premium Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% 2.36%(5) Prime Money Market 5.02% 2.77% Fund-Premium Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% 2.47%(5) Government Money Market 4.99% 3.78% Fund-Premium Shares(1) MFR Averages/GIA(3) 4.61% 3.36%(5) Treasury Money Market 4.99% 3.73% Fund-Premium Shares(1) MFR Averages/T&RIA(4) 4.60% 3.34%(5) |
(1)The returns for Premium Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund,
Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury Money
Market Fund are calculated since inception, December 2, 2002, April 16,
2003, September 1, 2004 and September 1, 2004, respectively.
(2) The Premium Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund and Prime Money
Market Fund are tracked against the Money Fund Report ("MFR") First Tier
Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(3) The Premium Shares of the Government Money Market Fund are tracked
against the MFR Government Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet,
Inc.
(4) The Premium Shares of the Treasury Money Market Fund are tracked against
the MFR Treasury and Repo Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet,
Inc.
(5) The MFR averages for the Premium Shares of the Institutional Money Market
Fund, Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury
Money Market Fund are calculated from November 30, 2002, March 31, 2003,
August 31, 2004 and August 31, 2004, respectively.
Each Fund's seven-day yield, also called the current yield, annualizes the amount of income each Fund generates over a seven-day period by projecting the amount for an entire year.
To learn each Fund's current seven-day yield, call 1-877-BGI-1544
(1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Premium Shares of the Funds.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
INSTITUTIONAL PRIME GOVERNMENT TREASURY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Other expenses 0.10% 0.10% 0.13% 0.14% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Total annual class 0.20% 0.20% 0.23% 0.24% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.03)% (0.03)% (0.06)% (0.07)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.17% 0.17% 0.17% 0.17% |
(1)Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA"), the investment adviser of each
Fund's Master Portfolio, has contractually agreed to waive a portion of
its management fees through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such
contractual waiver, the management fees will be 0.07%.
(2)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the
Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, counsel to
the Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios and the
independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and
non-audit services in connection with the Funds and the Master Portfolios
that are allocated to the Premium Shares of the Funds. Barclays Global
Investors, N.A. ("BGI") and BGFA, as applicable, have contractually agreed
to reimburse, or provide offsetting credits to, the Premium Shares of the
Funds and the Master Portfolios for Independent Expenses through April 30,
2009. After giving effect to such contractual arrangements, Independent
Expenses will be 0.00%.
(3) Total annual class operating expenses in the above table and the
following example reflect the expenses of both the Funds and the Master
Portfolios in which they invest.
(4) The Funds' service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees
or reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this
table does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Premium Shares of the Funds with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Premium Shares of each Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE FUNDS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
PREMIUM SHARES
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Institutional Money $17 $58 $106 $249 Market Fund Prime Money Market Fund $17 $58 $106 $249 Government Money Market $17 $62 $117 $281 Fund Treasury Money Market $17 $63 $121 $291 Fund |
Management of the Funds
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios, BGFA is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.10% (0.07% pursuant to the current contractual fee waiver) of each Master Portfolio's average daily net assets.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Funds' Administrator:
[] Supervise the Funds' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Funds.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Premium Shares of each Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Funds, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Funds' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. No additional administration fees are charged at the Master Portfolio level.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Funds' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase Premium Shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an individual retirement account ("IRA");
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the Funds' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the Funds' Shareholder Servicing Agents; or
[] Initially invest a minimum of $10 million directly through IBT.
The minimum initial investment amount for the Premium Shares of each Fund is $10 million; however, in certain situations, this minimum initial investment amount may be reduced or waived. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Premium Shares that differ from those of the Funds, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, on any day the Funds are open (a "Business Day") by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios'
portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and generally closed on all other days that the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities are closed or the Fedwire Funds Service is closed.
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars and funds must be received via the Fedwire Funds Service by its close, or by such other means as the Funds may from time to time determine. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Funds generally remit the proceeds from a sale the same Business Day after
receiving a properly executed order to sell. Each Fund can delay payment for
one day, or longer than one day under extraordinary circumstances. Generally,
those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii)
trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal or valuation of a Fund's investment is not reasonably
practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") by order may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend
your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds, as
permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other
applicable laws. Each Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem
your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds,
which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your
shares. For example, a Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse
the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full
payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction
effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares, as provided
from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a Fund can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Share Class Numbers:
1128 (Institutional Money Market Fund - Premium Shares)
1198 (Prime Money Market Fund - Premium Shares)
1098 (Government Money Market Fund - Premium Shares)
1108 (Treasury Money Market Fund - Premium Shares)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the
Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time).
IBT will employ procedures designed to confirm that your order is valid. These
may include asking for identifying information and recording the phone call.
Neither IBT nor the Funds may be held liable for acting on telephone
instructions that IBT reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds
directly to your designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your Fund's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] To invest or redeem shares online, please contact IBT for information about how to access online trading features.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
(1)The following procedures are intended to help prevent fraud. If you wish
to make a change to your list of authorized traders, you must provide a
written request on letterhead signed by an authorized signer on your
account. If you wish to change your bank wire instructions or list of
authorized signers, you must make your request in writing on letterhead
and include a medallion signature guarantee. You can obtain a medallion
signature guarantee from most banks and securities dealers. A medallion
signature guarantee is not a notarized signature.
(2) If you direct the sale proceeds to someone other than your account's
owner of record, to an address other than your account's address of record
or to a bank not designated previously, you must make your request in
writing and include a medallion signature guarantee to help prevent fraud.
You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee from most banks and
securities dealers. A medallion signature guarantee is not a notarized
signature.
CALCULATING THE FUNDS' SHARE PRICE
Each Fund's share price (also known as a Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each Fund's NAV is calculated at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Funds' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments.
The Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, although they can offer no assurance that they will be able to do so.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares distributions of its net investment income daily and distributes them monthly to shareholders. A Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by a Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Fund unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
You begin earning distributions on your shares the day your purchase order takes effect. You continue earning daily distributions on your shares up to but not including the date you sell them.
Each Fund credits distributions earned on weekends and holidays to the preceding Business Day. If you sell shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits any distributions declared but not yet paid on the next distribution payment date. If you sell all shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits all distributions accrued with the sale proceeds.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
The Funds invest only in interests of the Master Portfolios, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objective and strategy of the Master Portfolios. The Funds' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in the Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and based on the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you and your tax rate.
Distributions from the Funds generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------- Income .................. Ordinary income(1) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(2) |
(2) As the Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, sales of the Funds' shares generally will not result in taxable gain or loss.
Normally, the Funds do not expect to realize or distribute a significant amount of long-term capital gains.
After the end of each year, the Funds will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Funds if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Funds do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the Funds.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Funds, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Funds' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a Fund's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
SHARE CLASS
The Funds offer additional share classes with different expenses and expected returns than those described in this Prospectus, including share classes you may be eligible to purchase. Call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) for additional information.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Premium Shares of each Fund since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Premium Share of each Fund. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Premium Shares of a given Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - PREMIUM SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 2, 2002(A) TO DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- --------------- ------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.00 (b) Net realized gain (loss) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00)(b) 0.00 (b) - ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.00 (b) ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.00)(b) Net realized gain - - - (0.00)(b) - ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) (0.00)(b) ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ========== ========== ========== ======== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.05% 3.24% 1.34% 1.10% 0.11%(c) ========== ========== ========== ======== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $1,321,042 $1,803,171 $1,217,388 $290,099 $ 5 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.15% 0.10% 0.10% 0.17% 0.25% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.19% 0.17% 0.17% n/a n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.93% 3.24% 1.45% 0.98% 1.51% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND - PREMIUM SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED APR. 16, 2003(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 TO DEC. 31, 2003 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 Net realized gain (loss) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) (0.00)(b) ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 0.01 ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) Net realized gain - - (0.00)(b) (0.00)(b) ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) (0.01) ---------- ---------- ---------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ========== ========== ========== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.02% 3.21% 1.35% 0.75%(c) ========== ========== ========== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $1,551,648 $3,233,738 $5,247,105 $964,243 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.16% 0.13% 0.07% 0.09% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.19% 0.17% 0.17% n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.88% 3.08% 1.62% 1.02% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND - PREMIUM SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) -------- -------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) -------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======== ======== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.99% 3.23% 0.62%(b) ======== ======== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $123,532 $183,243 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.17% 0.08% 0.05% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.21% 0.17% 0.17% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.88% 3.54% 1.86% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND - PREMIUM SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.99% 3.15% 0.59%(b) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 2,112 $ 2,546 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.05% 0.05% 0.05% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.23% 0.17% 0.17% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.61% 3.83% 1.77% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information can be found on our website at www.bgicash.com. For more
detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Funds, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Funds, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Funds or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGICash@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information visit
our website at www.bgicash.com or call
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-PS0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
SELECT SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BGICash FROM BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objectives . 1 Principal Investment 2 Strategies Principal Risk Factors 3 Investment Returns .... 4 Fees and Expenses ..... 7 Management of the 9 Funds Shareholder 10 Information Financial Highlights .. 16 |
Investment Objectives(1)
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Institutional Money Market Fund and the
Prime Money Market Fund is to seek a high level of income consistent with
liquidity and the preservation of capital.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AND TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
(1)Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Prime Money Market Fund, the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the Fund. All discussion of the investment objective, strategies and risks of a particular Fund refers also to the investment objective, strategies and risks of its Master Portfolio, unless otherwise indicated. A detailed description of the relationship of the Funds to their Master Portfolios appears under the heading "Master/Feeder Mutual Fund Structure" in this Prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategies
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. Each Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Prime Money Market Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to invest at least 95% of its assets in any combination of such investments, which may include certificates of deposit, high-quality debt obligations, such as corporate debt, certain obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certain repurchase agreements and obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises).
Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Prime Money Market Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) in the obligations of domestic banks.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with regard to such obligations, and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, in repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and in other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund.
It is further intended that under normal circumstances, 100% of the Fund's investments will be in U.S. Treasury obligations or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
Principal Risk Factors
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND, PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND AND GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a Fund.
While some of the Funds' portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Funds' income to fluctuate as the market value of the Funds' securities fluctuates.
Each Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so.
Each Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
The risks generally associated with concentrating investments in the banking industry include interest rate risk, credit risk, and the risk of negative regulatory or market developments affecting the banking and financial services industries.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
While some of the Fund's portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Fund's income to fluctuate as the market value of the Fund's securities fluctuates.
The Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. However, the Fund minimizes this risk by investing only in U.S. Treasury obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations.
The Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
FOR A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUNDS' MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUNDS' COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUNDS
The Funds are designed for investors who seek income from a high quality portfolio and/or wish to maintain the value of their investment in the long- and short-term.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Select Shares of the Funds by showing the changes in their performance from year to year. The bar charts show the return of the Select Shares of the Funds for each full calendar year since the Funds' respective inception dates. The average annual total return table compares the average annual total return of the Select Shares of the Funds to those of a group of corresponding funds for various periods of time. How the Funds performed in the past is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
Institutional Money Market Fund - Select Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.19% 2006 5.00% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006; the worst was 0.59% in the1st quarter of 2005.
Prime Money Market Fund - Select Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.16% 2006 4.97% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.59% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Government Money Market Fund - Select Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.18% 2006 4.94% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.59% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Treasury Money Market Fund - Select Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 3.10% 2006 4.94% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.31% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.57% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION ---------- ---------------- Institutional Money 5.00% 3.20% Market Fund-Select Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% 2.97%(5) Prime Money Market 4.97% 3.18% Fund-Select Shares(1) MFR Averages/FTIA(2) 4.79% 2.97%(5) Government Money Market 4.94% 3.73% Fund-Select Shares(1) MFR Averages/GIA(3) 4.61% 3.36%(5) Treasury Money Market 4.94% 3.68% Fund-Select Shares(1) MFR Averages/T&RIA(4) 4.60% 3.34%(5) |
(1)The returns for Select Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund,
Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury Money
Market Fund are calculated since inception, January 26, 2004, January 26,
2004, September 1, 2004 and September 1, 2004, respectively.
(2) The Select Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund and Prime Money
Market Fund are tracked against the Money Fund Report ("MFR") First Tier
Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(3) The Select Shares of the Government Money Market Fund are tracked against
the MFR Government Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(4) The Select Shares of the Treasury Money Market Fund are tracked against
the MFR Treasury and Repo Institutional Average, a service of iMoneyNet,
Inc.
(5) The MFR averages for the Select Shares of the Institutional Money Market
Fund, Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury
Money Market Fund are calculated from January 31, 2004, January 31, 2004,
August 31, 2004 and August 31, 2004, respectively.
Each Fund's seven-day yield, also called the current yield, annualizes the amount of income each Fund generates over a seven-day period by projecting the amount for an entire year.
To learn each Fund's current seven-day yield, call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Select Shares of the Funds.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
INSTITUTIONAL PRIME GOVERNMENT TREASURY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Other expenses 0.15% 0.15% 0.18% 0.19% (Administration fees(1); Independent Expenses(2)) Total annual class 0.25% 0.25% 0.28% 0.29% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.05)% (0.05)% (0.08)% (0.09)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% |
(1)Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA"), the investment adviser of each
Fund's Master Portfolio, has contractually agreed to waive a portion of
its management fees through April 30, 2009. Barclays Global Investors,
N.A. ("BGI"), the administrator of the Funds, has contractually agreed to
waive a portion of its administration fees through April 30, 2008. After
giving effect to such contractual waivers, the management fees will be
0.07% and the administration fees will be 0.13%.
(2)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the
Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, counsel to
the Independent Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios and the
independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and
non-audit services in connection with the Funds and the Master Portfolios
that are allocated to the Select Shares of the Funds. BGI and BGFA, as
applicable, have contractually agreed to reimburse, or provide offsetting
credits to, the Select Shares of the Funds and the Master Portfolios for
Independent Expenses through April 30, 2009. After giving effect to such
contractual arrangements, Independent Expenses will be 0.00%.
(3) Total annual class operating expenses in the above table and the
following example reflect the expenses of both the Funds and the Master
Portfolios in which they invest.
(4) The Funds' service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees
or reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this
table does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Select Shares of the Funds with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Select Shares of each Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waiver with BGFA is in effect for two years, and in the case of BGI, the contractual fee waiver of administration fees is in effect for one year and the contractual fee waiver of Independent Expenses is in effect for two years.
THE FUNDS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
SELECT SHARES
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Institutional Money $20 $72 $132 $310 Market Fund Prime Money Market Fund $20 $72 $132 $310 Government Money Market $20 $76 $143 $342 Fund Treasury Money Market $20 $77 $147 $352 Fund |
Management of the Funds
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios, BGFA is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.10% (0.07% pursuant to the current contractual fee waiver) of each Master Portfolio's average daily net assets.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Funds' Administrator:
[] Supervise the Funds' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Funds.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.15% (0.13% pursuant to the current contractual fee waiver) of the average daily net assets of the Select Shares of each Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Funds, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Funds' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. No additional administration fees are charged at the Master Portfolio level.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their
clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Funds' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase Select Shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an individual retirement account ("IRA");
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the Funds' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the Funds' Shareholder Servicing Agents; or
[] Initially invest a minimum of $1 million directly through IBT.
The minimum initial investment amount for the Select Shares of each Fund is $1 million; however, in certain situations, this minimum initial investment amount may be reduced or waived. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Select Shares that differ from those of the Funds, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, on any day the Funds are open (a
"Business Day") by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and generally closed on all other days that the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities are closed or the Fedwire Funds Service is closed.
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars and funds must be received via the Fedwire Funds Service by its close, or by such other means as the Funds may from time to time determine. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Funds generally remit the proceeds from a sale the same Business Day after
receiving a properly executed order to sell. Each Fund can delay payment for
one day, or longer than one day under extraordinary circumstances. Generally,
those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii)
trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of
which disposal or valuation of a Fund's investment is not reasonably
practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") by order may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend
your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds, as
permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other
applicable laws. Each Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem
your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds,
which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your
shares. For example, a Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse
the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full
payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction
effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares, as provided
from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a Fund can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Share Class Numbers:
1122 (Institutional Money Market Fund - Select Shares)
1199 (Prime Money Market Fund - Select Shares)
1099 (Government Money Market Fund - Select Shares)
1109 (Treasury Money Market Fund - Select Shares)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the
Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time).
IBT will employ procedures designed to confirm that your order is valid. These
may include asking for identifying information and recording the phone call.
Neither IBT nor the Funds may be held liable for acting on telephone
instructions that IBT reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds
directly to your designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your Fund's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] To invest or redeem shares online, please contact IBT for information about how to access online trading features.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
(1)The following procedures are intended to help prevent fraud. If you wish
to make a change to your list of authorized traders, you must provide a
written request on letterhead signed by an authorized signer on your
account. If you wish to change your bank wire instructions or list of
authorized signers, you must make your request in writing on letterhead
and include a medallion signature guarantee. You can obtain a medallion
signature guarantee from most banks and securities dealers. A medallion
signature guarantee is not a notarized signature.
(2) If you direct the sale proceeds to someone other than your account's
owner of record, to an address other than your account's address of record
or to a bank not designated previously, you must make your request in
writing and include a medallion signature guarantee to help prevent fraud.
You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee from most banks and
securities dealers. A medallion signature guarantee is not a notarized
signature.
CALCULATING THE FUNDS' SHARE PRICE
Each Fund's share price (also known as a Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each Fund's NAV is calculated at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Funds' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments.
The Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, although they can offer no assurance that they will be able to do so.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares distributions of its net investment income daily and distributes them monthly to shareholders. A Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by a Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Fund unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
You begin earning distributions on your shares the day your purchase order takes effect. You continue earning daily distributions on your shares up to but not including the date you sell them.
Each Fund credits distributions earned on weekends and holidays to the preceding Business Day. If you sell shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits any distributions declared but not yet paid on the next distribution payment date. If you sell all shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits all distributions accrued with the sale proceeds.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
The Funds invest only in interests of the Master Portfolios, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objective and strategy of the Master Portfolios. The Funds' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in the Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and based on the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you and your tax rate.
Distributions from the Funds generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------- Income .................. Ordinary income(1) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(2) |
(2) As the Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, sales of the Funds' shares generally will not result in taxable gain or loss.
Normally, the Funds do not expect to realize or distribute a significant amount of long-term capital gains.
After the end of each year, the Funds will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Funds if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Funds do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the Funds.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Funds, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Funds' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a Fund's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
SHARE CLASS
The Funds offer additional share classes with different expenses and expected returns than those described in this Prospectus, including share classes you may be eligible to purchase. Call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) for additional information.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Select Shares of each Fund since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Select Share of each Fund. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Select Shares of a given Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - SELECT SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED JAN. 26, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 Net realized gain - 0.00 (b) - ------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 5.00% 3.19% 1.22%(c) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 1,229 $24,940 $ 6,712 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.19% 0.15% 0.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.23% 0.22% 0.22% reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.55% 3.50% 1.93% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND - SELECT SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED JAN. 26, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 Net realized gain 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) - ------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.97% 3.16% 1.23%(c) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $21,642 $81,359 $170,336 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.21% 0.18% 0.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.24% 0.22% 0.22% reduction(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.67% 3.05% 2.11% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND - SELECT SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.94% 3.18% 0.60%(b) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $42,683 $40,712 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.21% 0.13% 0.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.26% 0.22% 0.22% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.84% 3.90% 1.81% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND - SELECT SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.94% 3.10% 0.58%(b) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $55,919 $ 103 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.30% 0.22% 0.22% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 5.15% 3.06% 1.70% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information can be found on our website at www.bgicash.com. For more
detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Funds, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Funds, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Funds or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGICash@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information visit
our website at www.bgicash.com or call
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-SS0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
TRUST SHARES
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BGICash FROM BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Investment Objectives . 1 Principal Investment 2 Strategies Principal Risk Factors 3 Investment Returns .... 4 Fees and Expenses ..... 7 Management of the 9 Funds Shareholder 10 Information Financial Highlights .. 16 |
Investment Objectives(1)
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND The investment objective for both the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Prime Money Market Fund is to seek a high level of income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AND TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The investment objective for both the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity.
Principal Investment Strategies
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND AND PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND The Funds seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. Each Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Prime Money Market Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to invest at least 95% of its assets in any combination of such investments, which may include certificates of deposit, high-quality debt obligations, such as corporate debt, certain obligations of U.S. and foreign banks, certain repurchase agreements and obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises).
Each of the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Prime Money Market Fund reserves the right to concentrate its investments (I.E., invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in a particular industry) in the obligations of domestic banks.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements with regard to such obligations, and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that, at the time of investment, have remaining maturities of 397 days or less from the date of acquisition. The Fund's portfolio will maintain an average weighted maturity of 90 days or less. In general, the Fund expects to maintain an average weighted maturity of 60 days or less. Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, in repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and in other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund.
It is further intended that under normal circumstances, 100% of the Fund's investments will be in U.S. Treasury obligations or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations and other money market funds that have substantially the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The principal and interest of all securities held by the Fund are payable in U.S. dollars.
Principal Risk Factors
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND, PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND AND GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND An investment in a Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a Fund.
While some of the Funds' portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Funds' income to fluctuate as the market value of the Funds' securities fluctuates.
Each Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so.
Each Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
The risks generally associated with concentrating investments in the banking industry include interest rate risk, credit risk, and the risk of negative regulatory or market developments affecting the banking and financial services industries.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
While some of the Fund's portfolio securities are issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, such securities are subject to the risk of sharply rising or falling interest rates that could cause the Fund's income to fluctuate as the market value of the Fund's securities fluctuates.
The Fund's income and/or share price could also be affected by downgrades or defaults of any of the Fund's holdings. However, the Fund minimizes this risk by investing only in U.S. Treasury obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, or repurchase agreements with regard to U.S. Treasury obligations.
The Fund's yield will vary as the securities in its portfolio mature or are sold and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
FOR A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THE FUNDS' MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE FUNDS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FUNDS' COMBINED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI").
WHO MAY WANT TO INVEST IN THE FUNDS
The Funds are designed for investors who seek income from a high quality portfolio and/or wish to maintain the value of their investment in the long- and short-term.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of
investing in the Trust Shares of the Funds by showing the changes in their
performance from year to year. The bar charts show the return of the Trust
Shares of the Funds for each full calendar year since the Funds' respective
inception dates. The average annual total return table compares the average
annual total return of the Trust Shares of the Funds to those of a group of
corresponding funds for various periods of time. How the Funds performed in the
past is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
Institutional Money Market Fund - Trust Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 2.96% 2006 4.76% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.26% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.54% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Prime Money Market Fund - Trust Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 2.93% 2006 4.72 % |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.24% in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2006; the worst was 0.53% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Government Money Market Fund - Trust Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 2.94% 2006 4.69% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.24% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.54% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
Treasury Money Market Fund - Trust Shares
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
2005 2.86% 2006 4.70% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 1.25% in the 4th quarter of 2006; the worst was 0.51% in the 1st quarter of 2005.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
1 YEAR SINCE INCEPTION ---------- ---------------- Institutional Money 4.76% 3.29% Market Fund-Trust Shares(1) MFR Averages/All 4.50% 2.99%(5) Taxable(2) Prime Money Market 4.72% 3.27% Fund-Trust Shares(1) MFR Averages/All 4.50% 2.99%(5) Taxable(2) Government Money Market 4.69% 3.49% Fund-Trust Shares(1) MFR Averages/AGA(3) 4.47% 3.22%(5) Treasury Money Market 4.70% 3.44% Fund-Trust Shares(1) MFR Averages/T&RRA(4) 4.20% 2.96%(5) |
(1)The returns for Trust Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund, Prime
Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury Money Market
Fund are calculated since inception, June 10, 2004, June 10, 2004, September
1, 2004 and September 1, 2004, respectively.
(2) The Trust Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund and Prime Money
Market Fund are tracked against the Money Fund Report ("MFR") All Taxable
Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(3) The Trust Shares of the Government Money Market Fund are tracked against the
MFR All Government Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(4) The Trust Shares of the Treasury Money Market Fund are tracked against the
MFR Treasury and Repo Retail Average, a service of iMoneyNet, Inc.
(5) The MFR averages for the Trust Shares of the Institutional Money Market
Fund, Prime Money Market Fund, Government Money Market Fund and Treasury
Money Market Fund are calculated from May 31, 2004, May 31, 2004, August 31,
2004 and August 31, 2004, respectively.
Each Fund's seven-day yield, also called the current yield, annualizes the amount of income each Fund generates over a seven-day period by projecting the amount for an entire year.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Trust Shares of the Funds.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
INSTITUTIONAL PRIME GOVERNMENT TREASURY MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND --------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% Other expenses 0.38% 0.38% 0.41% 0.42% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Total annual class 0.48% 0.48% 0.51% 0.52% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.03)% (0.03)% (0.06)% (0.07)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% 0.45% |
(2)"Independent Expenses" consist of those fees and expenses of the Independent
Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, counsel to the Independent
Trustees of the Funds and the Master Portfolios and the independent
registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services
in connection with the Funds and the Master Portfolios that are allocated to
the Trust Shares of the Funds. Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI") and
BGFA, as applicable, have contractually agreed to reimburse, or provide
offsetting credits to, the Trust Shares of the Funds and the Master
Portfolios for Independent Expenses through April 30, 2009. After giving
effect to such contractual arrangements, Independent Expenses will be 0.00%.
(3) Total annual class operating expenses in the above table and the following
example reflect the expenses of both the Funds and the Master Portfolios in
which they invest.
(4) The Funds' service providers may voluntarily waive certain of their fees or
reimburse certain expenses, as they determine, from time to time; this table
does not reflect such waivers or reimbursements.
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Trust Shares of the Funds with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Trust Shares of each Fund over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE FUNDS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
TRUST SHARES
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- Institutional Money $46 $148 $262 $598 Market Fund Prime Money Market Fund $46 $148 $262 $598 Government Money Market $46 $151 $273 $629 Fund Treasury Money Market $46 $152 $276 $639 Fund |
Management of the Funds
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each Fund is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios, BGFA is entitled to receive an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.10% (0.07% pursuant to the current contractual fee waiver) of each Master Portfolio's average daily net assets.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each Fund's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the Funds' Administrator:
[] Supervise the Funds' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the Funds.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.38% of the average daily net assets of the Trust Shares of each Fund. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the Funds, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the Funds' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. No additional administration fees are charged at the Master Portfolio level.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus Fund accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the Funds' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Funds' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase Trust Shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an individual retirement account ("IRA");
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the Funds' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the Funds' Shareholder Servicing Agents; or
[] Initially invest a minimum of $100,000 directly through IBT.
The minimum initial investment amount for the Trust Shares of each Fund is $100,000; however, in certain situations, this minimum initial investment amount may be reduced or waived. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Trust Shares that differ from those of the Funds, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the Funds, as described below.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may buy Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, on any day the Funds are open (a "Business Day") by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) to purchase shares at that day's net asset value ("NAV"). Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios'
portfolio securities close early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and generally closed on all other days that the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities are closed or the Fedwire Funds Service is closed.
Each Fund reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars and funds must be received via the Fedwire Funds Service by its close, or by such other means as the Funds may from time to time determine. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the Fund has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may sell Fund shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities closes early, at such closing time) to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities closes early, at such closing time) will be executed on the next Business Day.
The Funds generally remit the proceeds from a sale the same Business Day after receiving a properly executed order to sell. Each Fund can delay payment for one day, or longer than one day under extraordinary circumstances. Generally, those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of a Fund's investment is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by order may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds, as permitted under Section 22(e) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other applicable laws. Each Fund further reserves the right to automatically redeem your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds, which would reflect the NAV on the day the Fund automatically redeems your shares. For example, a Fund may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for your benefit that is applicable to the Fund's shares, as provided from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each Fund reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a Fund can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
Fund Share Class Numbers:
1124 (Institutional Money Market Fund-Trust Shares) 1194 (Prime Money Market Fund-Trust Shares) 1094 (Government Money Market Fund-Trust Shares)
1104 (Treasury Money Market Fund-Trust Shares)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the Fund of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the Fund's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the
Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). IBT
will employ procedures designed to confirm that your order is valid. These may
include asking for identifying information and recording the phone call.
Neither IBT nor the Funds may be held liable for acting on telephone
instructions that IBT reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds
directly to your designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your Fund's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] To invest or redeem shares online, please contact IBT for information about how to access online trading features.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases Fund shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the Fund may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
CALCULATING THE FUNDS' SHARE PRICE
Each Fund's share price (also known as a Fund's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each Fund's NAV is calculated at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day (or, if the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities close early, at such closing time). The NAV of each Fund is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the Fund invests. The Funds' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments.
The Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, although they can offer no assurance that they will be able to do so.
FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
Each Fund declares distributions of its net investment income daily and distributes them monthly to shareholders. A Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you by a Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Fund unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
You begin earning distributions on your shares the day your purchase order takes effect. You continue earning daily distributions on your shares up to but not including the date you sell them.
Each Fund credits distributions earned on weekends and holidays to the preceding Business Day. If you sell shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits any distributions declared but not yet paid on the next distribution payment date. If you sell all shares before the monthly distribution payment date, each Fund remits all distributions accrued with the sale proceeds.
FREQUENT TRADING IN FUND SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
The Funds invest only in interests of the Master Portfolios, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the Funds have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objective and strategy of the Master Portfolios. The Funds' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light of the nature of the Funds' investment in the Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Funds and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and based on the amount and character of the Fund's distributions to you and your tax rate.
Distributions from the Funds generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------- Income .................. Ordinary income(1) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(2) |
(1)Distributions from the Funds paid to corporate shareholders will not qualify
for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporate
taxpayers. Since each Fund's income is derived from sources that do not pay
"qualified dividend income," income distributions from the net investment
income of each Fund generally will not qualify for taxation at the maximum
15% U.S. federal income tax rate available to individuals on qualified
dividend income.
(2) As the Funds seek to maintain a constant NAV of $1.00 per share, sales of
the Funds' shares generally will not result in taxable gain or loss.
Normally, the Funds do not expect to realize or distribute a significant amount of long-term capital gains.
After the end of each year, the Funds will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the Funds if you fail to provide the Funds with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The Funds do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each Fund invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the Fund. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the Funds.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the Funds, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the Funds' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a Fund's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a Fund's assets, it would then consider whether the Fund should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
SHARE CLASS
The Funds offer additional share classes with different expenses and expected returns than those described in this Prospectus, including share classes you may be eligible to purchase. Call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) for additional information.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Trust Shares of each Fund since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Trust Share of each Fund. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Trust Shares of a given Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - TRUST SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED JUN. 10, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 --------- ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 Net realized gain 0.00 (b) - - --------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 --------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) --------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) --------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ========= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.76% 2.96% 0.74%(c) ========= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $197,480 $ 103 $ 101 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.43% 0.38% 0.35% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.47% 0.45% 0.45% reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.95% 2.92% 1.33% |
(b) Rounds to less than $0.01.
(c) Not annualized.
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
PRIME MONEY MARKET FUND - TRUST SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED JUN. 10, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC.31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 Net realized gain 0.00 (b) 0.00 (b) - ------- ------- -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.72% 2.93% 0.75%(c) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 108 $ 103 $ 101 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.45% 0.41% 0.34% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.47% 0.45% 0.45% reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 4.63% 2.89% 1.34% |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND - TRUST SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.69% 2.94% 0.53%(b) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 108 $ 103 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.45% 0.36% 0.33% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.49% 0.45% 0.45% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.60% 2.91% 1.58% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND - TRUST SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEP. 1, 2004(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 TO DEC. 31, 2004 --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.05 0.03 0.01 ------ ------ -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.05) (0.03) (0.01) ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 4.70% 2.86% 0.50%(b) ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $ 108 $ 103 $ 100 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.33% 0.33% 0.33% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 0.52% 0.45% 0.45% reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 4.60% 2.83% 1.49% |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and other information can be found on our website at www.bgicash.com. For more
detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the Funds, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the Funds, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the Funds or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGICash@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a Fund (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY FUND AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information visit
our website at www.bgicash.com or call
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-TS0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Statement of Additional Information
Dated May 1, 2007
Prime Money Market Fund
Institutional Money Market Fund
Government Money Market Fund
Treasury Money Market Fund
(Premium, Institutional, Select, Trust and Aon Captives Shares)
Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust" or "BGIF") is an open-end, series management investment company. This combined Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") contains additional information about the Premium, Institutional, Select and Trust Shares of the following series of the Trust - the Prime Money Market Fund, the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund (each, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"). This SAI also contains information about the Aon Captives Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund.
Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in a master portfolio of the Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"). The Institutional Money Market Fund invests in the Money Market Master Portfolio; the Prime Money Market Fund invests in the Prime Money Market Master Portfolio; the Government Money Market Fund invests in the Government Money Market Master Portfolio; and the Treasury Money Market Fund invests in the Treasury Money Market Master Portfolio (each, a "Master Portfolio" and collectively, the "Master Portfolios"). Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA" or the "Investment Adviser") serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. References to the investments, investment policies and risks of a Fund, unless otherwise indicated, should be understood as references to the investments, investment policies and risks of each Fund's Master Portfolio.
This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with each Fund's current prospectus (each, a "Prospectus" and collectively, the "Prospectuses"), each dated May 1, 2007 and as amended from time to time, for the relevant class of shares. Each Fund's financial statements, which include the schedules of investments and independent auditor's reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Copies of the Prospectuses and annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to Barclays Global Investors Funds, c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, or by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free), or e-mailing the Funds at BGICash@seic.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ----- History of the Trust 1 Description of the Funds and their 1 Investments and Risks Investment Objectives and 1 Policies Master/Feeder Structure 1 Fundamental Investment 2 Restrictions Non-Fundamental Investment 2 Restrictions Investments and Risks 3 Asset-Backed and Commercial 4 Mortgage-Backed Securities Bank Obligations 4 Commercial Paper and Short-Term 5 Corporate Debt Instruments Floating- and Variable-Rate 5 Obligations Foreign Obligations 5 Forward Commitments, 6 When-Issued Purchases and Delayed-Delivery Transactions Funding Agreements 6 Illiquid Securities 6 Investment Company Securities 6 Letters of Credit 6 Loans of Portfolio Securities 6 Loan Participation Agreements 7 Mortgage Pass-Through Securities 7 Municipal Securities 8 Participation Interests 8 Repurchase Agreements 8 Restricted Securities 8 Unrated Investments 8 U.S. Government Obligations 9 U.S. Treasury Obligations 9 Portfolio Holdings Information 9 Service Providers 9 Third-Party Feeder Funds 10 Securities and Exchange 10 Commission Filings Other Public Disclosure 10 Approved Recipients 11 Management 11 Committees 13 Beneficial Equity Ownership 13 Information |
PAGE ----- Ownership of Securities of 14 Certain Entities Codes of Ethics 14 Shareholder Communications to 14 the Board of Trustees Compensation of Trustees 14 Control Persons and Principal 15 Holders of Securities Investment Adviser and Other 18 Service Providers Investment Adviser 18 Advisory Fees 18 Administrator 19 Distributor 21 Institutional Money Market Fund 21 - Aon Captives Shares Distributio n Plan Shareholder Servicing Agents 22 Custodian 23 Transfer and Dividend 23 Disbursing Agent Independent Registered Public 23 Accounting Firm Legal Counsel 23 Determination of Net Asset Value 23 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing 24 of Shares Terms of Purchase and Redemption 24 In-Kind Purchases 24 Suspension of Redemption Rights 24 or Payment of Redemption Proceeds Portfolio Transactions 24 General 24 Portfolio Turnover 25 Securities of Regular 25 Broker-Dealers Frequent Trading of Fund Shares 25 Distributions and Taxes 26 Qualification as a Regulated 26 Investment Company Excise Tax 27 Capital Loss Carry-Forwards 27 Investment through the Master 27 Portfolios Taxation of Fund Investments 28 Taxation of Distributions 29 Sales of Fund Shares 29 Foreign Taxes 29 Federal Income Tax Rates 30 Backup Withholding 30 |
PAGE ----- Tax-Deferred Plans 30 Foreign Shareholders 30 Capital Stock 31 Voting 31 Dividends and Distributions 32 The Master Portfolios 32 Additional Information on the Funds 32 Financial Statements 32 Appendix A-1 |
History of the Trust
The Trust was organized on December 4, 2001 as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. On August 21, 2001, the Board of Directors of Barclays Global Investors Funds, Inc. (the "Company") approved a proposal to redomicile the Company from a Maryland corporation to a Delaware statutory trust (the "Redomiciling"). Shareholders of the Company approved the Redomiciling on November 16, 2001. The Trust was established with multiple series, including the Funds, corresponding to, and having identical designations as, the Company's series. The Redomiciling was effected on January 11, 2002, at which time the Trust assumed the operations of the Company and adopted the Company's registration statement. Shortly thereafter, the Company was dissolved.
The Trust's principal office is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Fund invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP (as shown below), which has substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the related Fund.
FUND MASTER PORTFOLIO IN WHICH THE FUND INVESTS ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- Prime Money Market Fund Prime Money Market Master Portfolio Institutional Money Market Money Market Master Portfolio Fund Government Money Market Fund Government Money Market Master Portfolio Treasury Money Market Fund Treasury Money Market Master Portfolio |
Each series of the Trust issues shares in multiple classes, currently including Premium, Institutional, Select and Trust Shares, and with respect only to the Institutional Money Market Fund, Aon Captives Shares. On August 14, 2002, the Trust's board of trustees (the "Board of Trustees" or the "Board") approved changing the name of the Institutional Money Market Fund's Distributor Shares to the "Aon Captives Shares."
Description of the Funds and their Investments and Risks
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES. The Trust is an open-end, series management investment company. Each Fund and Master Portfolio has adopted an investment objective and investment policies that may be fundamental or non-fundamental. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund or Master Portfolio, as the case may be. Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust or MIP (the "Trustees"), as the case may be, at any time.
The Funds and the Master Portfolios in which they invest are diversified funds as defined in the 1940 Act. Each Fund's investment objective is set forth in its Prospectus. Each Fund's investment objective is non-fundamental and can be changed by the Trust's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. The investment objective and investment policies of a Fund determine the types of portfolio securities in which the Fund invests, the degree of risk to which the Fund is subject and, ultimately, the Fund's performance. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of any Fund will be achieved.
MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE. Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP. The Trust's Board of Trustees believes that under normal circumstances, none of the Funds or their shareholders will be adversely affected by investing Fund assets in a Master Portfolio. However, if a mutual fund or other investor redeems its interests from a Master Portfolio, the economic efficiencies (E.G., spreading fixed expenses over a larger asset base) that the Trust's Board of Trustees believes may be available through a Fund's investment in such Master Portfolio may not be fully achieved. In addition, given the relative novelty of the master/feeder structure, accounting or operational difficulties, although unlikely, could arise.
The fundamental policies of each Master Portfolio cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Master Portfolio's outstanding interests. Whenever a Fund, as an interestholder of a Master Portfolio, is requested to vote on any matter submitted to interestholders of the Master Portfolio, a Fund will either hold a meeting of its shareholders to consider such matters and cast its votes in proportion to the votes received from its shareholders (shares for which
a Fund receives no voting instructions will be voted in the same proportion as the votes received from the other Fund shareholders) or cast its votes, as an interestholder of the Master Portfolio, in proportion to the votes received by the Master Portfolio from all other interestholders of the Master Portfolio.
Certain policies of the Master Portfolios that are non-fundamental may be changed by vote of a majority of MIP's Trustees without interestholder approval. If a Master Portfolio's investment objective or fundamental or non-fundamental policies are changed, a Fund may elect to change its objective or policies to correspond to those of the related Master Portfolio. Each Fund may redeem its interests from its Master Portfolio only if the Trust's Board of Trustees determines that such action is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, for this or any other reason. Prior to such redemption, the Trust's Board of Trustees would consider alternatives, including whether to seek a new investment company with a matching investment objective in which to invest or retain its own investment adviser to manage the Fund's portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. In the latter case, a Fund's inability to find a substitute investment company in which to invest or equivalent management services could adversely affect shareholders' investments in the Fund.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Funds are subject to the following investment restrictions, all of which are fundamental policies. Each Fund may not:
(1) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the value of the Fund's investments in that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the Fund's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies, (ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities; and further provided that, with respect to the Prime Money Market Fund and the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Fund reserves the right to concentrate in the obligations of domestic banks (as such term is interpreted by the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC") or its staff);
(2) Purchase the securities of any single issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Fund's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's cash or cash items, investments in U.S. government securities, or investments in securities of other investment companies;
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder;
(4) Make loans to other parties, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans;
(5) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with the Fund's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting; and provided further, that the purchase by the Fund of securities issued by an open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund shall not constitute an underwriting for purposes of this paragraph;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business); and
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, provided that: (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
With respect to paragraph (3) above, the 1940 Act currently allows each Fund to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. With respect to paragraph (4) above, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations currently limit the percentage of each Fund's securities that may be loaned to one-third of the value of its total assets.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The Funds have adopted the following investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies. These restrictions may be changed without shareholder approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust at any time.
(1) Each Fund may invest in shares of other open-end management investment companies, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder;
(2) Each Fund may not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (i) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale, (ii) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that have maturities of more than seven days, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
(3) Each Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, in amounts not to exceed (in the aggregate) one-third of a Fund's total assets. Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked to market daily. Each Fund will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.
(4) Each Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management; provided that a Fund may invest all of its assets in a diversified, open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund, without regard to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.
The Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund have adopted the following investment restriction as a non-fundamental policy:
Each Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice of any change to the Fund's non-fundamental policy to invest at least 80% of the Fund's assets in the types of securities described in the Fund's principal investment strategies. The notice will be provided in plain English in a separate written document, and will contain the following prominent statement or similar statement in bold-face type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." This statement will appear on both the notice and the envelope in which it is delivered, unless it is delivered separately from other communications to investors, in which case the statement will appear either on the notice or the envelope in which the notice is delivered.
The Prime Money Market Fund and the Institutional Money Market Fund have adopted the following investment restrictions as non-fundamental policies:
(1) Each Fund may not purchase interests, leases, or limited partnership interests in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs.
(2) Each Fund may not write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads, warrants, options or any combination thereof, except that the Fund may purchase securities with put rights in order to maintain liquidity.
(3) Each Fund may not purchase securities on margin (except for short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions) or make short sales of securities.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction (whether or not fundamental), each Fund may (and does) invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies and limitations as the Fund.
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS. To the extent set forth in this SAI, each Fund, through its investment in a related Master Portfolio, may invest in the securities described below. To avoid the need to refer to both the Funds and the Master Portfolios in every instance, the following sections generally refer to the Funds only.
The assets of each Fund consist only of obligations maturing within 397 calendar days from the date of acquisition (as determined in accordance with the regulations of the SEC), and the dollar-weighted average maturity of a Fund may not exceed 90 days. Under normal circumstances, the Prime Money Market Fund, the Government Money Market Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund expect to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 60 days or less. The securities in which each Fund invests may not yield as high a level of current income as may be achieved from securities with less liquidity and less safety. There can be no assurance that a Fund's investment objective will be realized as described in its Prospectus.
The Treasury Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, as described below. The Government Money Market Fund invests exclusively in U.S. government obligations, as described below. Practices described below relating to illiquid securities, investment company securities, loans of portfolio securities and repurchase agreements also apply to the Treasury Money Market Fund and the Government Money Market Fund. The Prime Money Market Fund and the Institutional Money Market Fund may invest in any of the instruments or engage in any practice described below.
ASSET-BACKED AND COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. The Funds may invest in asset-backed and commercial mortgaged-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by installment contracts, credit-card receivables or other assets. Commercial mortgage-backed securities are securities backed by commercial real estate properties. Both asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of assets in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are made on a regular basis. The payments are, in effect, "passed through" to the holder of the securities (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). The average life of asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities varies with the maturities of the underlying instruments and, as a result of prepayments, can often be less than the original maturity of the assets underlying the securities. For this and other reasons, an asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed security's stated maturity may be shortened, and the security's total return may be difficult to predict. The Funds may invest in such securities up to the limits prescribed by Rule 2a-7 and other provisions of or under the 1940 Act.
BANK OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may invest in bank obligations, including certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances and other short-term obligations of domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks, foreign branches of domestic banks, and domestic branches of foreign banks, domestic savings and loan associations and other banking institutions.
Certificates of deposit ("CDs") are negotiable certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time.
Time deposits ("TDs") are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. TDs that may be held by the Funds will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").
Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity. The other short-term obligations may include uninsured, direct obligations bearing fixed, floating- or variable-interest rates.
Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to have their deposits insured by the FDIC. Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities and are members of the Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. In addition, state banks whose CDs may be purchased by the Funds are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to a Fund, depending on the principal amount of the CDs of each bank held by the Fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation. As a result of federal or state laws and regulations, domestic branches of domestic banks whose CDs may be purchased by the Funds generally are required, among other things, to maintain specified levels of reserves, are limited in the amounts that they can loan to a single borrower and are subject to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness. However, not all of such laws and regulations apply to the foreign branches of domestic banks.
Obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks, such as CDs and TDs, may be general obligations of the parent banks in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and/or governmental regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than are those of domestic banks. These risks include foreign economic and political developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange controls and foreign withholding and other taxes on amounts realized on the obligations. These foreign branches and subsidiaries are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as mandatory reserve requirements, loan limitations, and accounting, auditing and financial record keeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a foreign branch of a domestic bank or about a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.
Obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation or by federal or state regulation, as well as governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office. A domestic branch of a foreign bank with assets in excess of $1 billion may be subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System or by the state in which the branch is located if the branch is licensed in that state.
In addition, federal branches licensed by the Comptroller of the Currency and branches licensed by certain states ("State Branches") may be required to: (1) pledge to the appropriate regulatory authority, by depositing assets with a designated bank within the relevant state, a certain percentage of their assets as fixed from time to time by such regulatory authority; and (2) maintain assets within the relevant state in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate amount of liabilities of the
foreign bank payable at or through all of its agencies or branches within the state. The deposits of federal and State Branches generally must be insured by the FDIC if such branches take deposits of less than $100,000.
COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHORT-TERM CORPORATE DEBT INSTRUMENTS. The Funds may invest in commercial paper (including variable amount master demand notes), which consists of short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and usually has a maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding nine months. Variable amount master demand notes are demand obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to arrangements between the issuer and a commercial bank acting as agent for the payee of such notes whereby both parties have the right to vary the amount of the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. BGFA monitors on an ongoing basis the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand.
The Funds also may invest in non-convertible corporate debt securities (E.G., bonds and debentures) with not more than thirteen months remaining to maturity at the date of settlement. A Fund will invest only in such corporate bonds and debentures that are deemed appropriate by BGFA in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Subsequent to its purchase by a Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Fund. BGFA will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the obligation. To the extent the Fund continues to hold the obligation, it may be subject to additional risk of default.
FLOATING- AND VARIABLE-RATE OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may purchase debt instruments with interest rates that are periodically adjusted at specified intervals or whenever a benchmark rate or index changes. The floating- and variable-rate instruments that the Funds may purchase include certificates of participation in such instruments. The interest rate adjustments generally limit the increase or decrease in the amount of interest received on the debt instruments. Floating- and variable-rate instruments are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.
The Funds may purchase floating- and variable-rate obligations. The Funds may purchase floating- and variable-rate demand notes and bonds, which are obligations ordinarily having stated maturities in excess of thirteen months, but which permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any time, or at specified intervals not exceeding 397 days, as defined in accordance with Rule 2a-7 and the 1940 Act. Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes. Master demand notes are obligations that permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between a Fund, as lender, and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate from time to time. The issuer of such obligations ordinarily has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days' notice to the holders of such obligations. The interest rate on a floating-rate demand obligation is based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable-rate demand obligation is adjusted automatically at specified intervals. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks.
These obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower. There may not be an established secondary market for these obligations, although they are redeemable at face value. Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, a Fund's right to redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and a Fund may invest in obligations that are not so rated only if BGFA determines that at the time of investment the obligations are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which a Fund may invest. BGFA considers on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuers of the floating- and variable-rate demand obligations in a Fund's portfolio.
FOREIGN OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may invest in certain securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or potentially confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, potential restrictions of the flow of international capital and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Foreign issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy with respect to growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.
The Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities that are determined by BGFA to be of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Funds may invest. The Funds may also invest in debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote economic
reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. The percentage of each Fund's assets invested in obligations of foreign governments and supranational entities will vary depending on the relative yields of such securities, the economic and financial markets of the countries in which the investments are made and the interest rate climate of such countries.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED PURCHASES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS.
The Funds may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis and make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a
future date beyond customary settlement time. Securities purchased or sold on a
when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis involve a risk of
loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines or the value of the
security to be sold increases before the settlement date. Although the Funds
will generally purchase securities with the intention of acquiring them, the
Funds may dispose of securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or
a forward commitment basis before settlement when deemed appropriate by BGFA.
FUNDING AGREEMENTS. The Funds may invest in short-term funding agreements. A funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding agreements will also guarantee the return of principal and may guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement has a fixed maturity and may have either a fixed-, variable- or floating-interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed for a fixed time period. The Funds will purchase short-term funding agreements only from banks and insurance companies. The Funds may also purchase Guaranteed Investment Contracts ("GICs").
The secondary market, if any, for these funding agreements is limited; thus, such investments purchased by the Funds may be treated as illiquid. If a funding agreement is determined to be illiquid it will be valued at its fair market value as determined by procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the value of each Fund's assets than if the value were based on available market quotations.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with its investment objective. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as privately issued securities and other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, floating- and variable-rate demand obligations as to which the Fund cannot exercise a demand feature on not more than seven days' notice and as to which there is no secondary market, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days after notice.
INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in shares of open-end
investment companies, including investment companies that are affiliated with
the Funds and BGFA, that invest exclusively in high-quality short-term
securities to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules,
regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder; provided, however, that a
Fund, if it has knowledge that its beneficial interests are purchased by
another investment company investor pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940
Act, will not acquire any securities of registered open-end management
investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on
Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. Other investment companies
in which a Fund invests can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses,
such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition
to those charged by the Fund. A Fund may also purchase shares of exchange
listed closed-end funds to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. Under the
1940 Act, a Fund's investment in investment companies is limited to, subject to
certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one
investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund's total assets with respect to any one
investment company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund's total assets with respect to
investment companies in the aggregate. To the extent allowed by law or
regulation, each Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment
companies that are money market funds, including those advised by BGFA or
otherwise affiliated with BGFA, in excess of the limits discussed above.
LETTERS OF CREDIT. Certain of the debt obligations (including municipal securities, certificates of participation, commercial paper and other short-term obligations) that the Funds may purchase may be backed by an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, savings and loan association or insurance company that assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer. Only banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to issuers of other permitted investments of the Funds may be used for letter of credit-backed investments.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including borrowers affiliated with BGFA. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value
of the securities loaned plus any accrued interest or dividends. A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. Each Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those managed by BGFA.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (I.E., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), "gap" risk (I.E., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower does not return a Fund's securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities.
A Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI") acts as securities lending agent for the Funds subject to the overall supervision of BGFA. BGI receives a portion of the revenues generated by securities lending activities as compensation for its services in this regard.
LOAN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS. Each Fund may purchase interests in loan participations that typically represent direct participation in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by an intermediary bank or other financial institution or lending syndicate. Under these loan participation arrangements, a Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled from the bank selling the loan participation upon receipt by the bank of the payments from the borrower. The borrower in the underlying loan will be deemed to be the issuer of the participation interest except to the extent the Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank that sold the loan participation. Such loans must be made to issuers in whose obligations the Funds may invest.
Because the bank issuing the loan participation does not guarantee the participation in any way, the participation is subject to the credit risks associated with the underlying corporate borrower. In addition, it may be necessary under the terms of the loan participation for the Funds to assert their rights against the underlying corporate borrower in the event that the underlying corporate borrower should fail to pay principal and interest when due. Thus, the Funds could be subject to delays, expenses, and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Funds had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower. Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, the Funds may be regarded as creditors of the issuing bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Funds also may be subject to the risk that the issuing bank may become insolvent. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, the loan participation might be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the issuing bank.
The secondary market, if any, for these loan participation interests is limited; thus, such participations purchased by the Funds may be treated as illiquid. If a loan participation is determined to be illiquid it will be valued at its fair market value as determined by procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the value of each Fund's assets than if the value were based on available market quotations.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in mortgage pass-through securities, which are a category of pass-through securities backed by pools of mortgages and issued by one of several U.S. government-sponsored enterprises including: the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. In the basic mortgage pass-through structure, mortgages with similar issuer, term and coupon characteristics are collected and aggregated into a "pool" consisting of multiple mortgage loans. The pool is assigned a CUSIP number and undivided interests in the pool are traded and sold as pass-through securities. The holder of the security is entitled to a pro rata share of principal and interest payments (including unscheduled prepayments) from the pool of mortgage loans.
An investment in a specific pool of pass-through securities requires an analysis of the specific prepayment risk of mortgages within the covered pool (since mortgagors typically have the option to prepay their loans). The level of prepayments on a pool of
mortgage securities is difficult to predict and can impact the subsequent cash flows and value of the mortgage pool. In addition, when trading specific mortgage pools, precise execution, delivery and settlement arrangements must be negotiated for each transaction. These factors combine to make trading in mortgage pools somewhat cumbersome. For these and other reasons, the Funds may obtain exposure to U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities primarily through the use of "to-be-announced" or "TBA transactions." "TBA" refers to a commonly used mechanism for the forward settlement of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities, and not to a separate type of mortgage-backed security. Most transactions in mortgage pass-through securities occur through the use of TBA transactions. TBA transactions generally are conducted in accordance with widely-accepted guidelines that establish commonly observed terms and conditions for execution, settlement and delivery. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller decide on general trade parameters, such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to the settlement date. The Funds may use TBA transactions in several ways. For example, the Funds may regularly enter into TBA agreements and "roll over" such agreements prior to the settlement date stipulated in such agreements. This type of TBA transaction is sometimes known as a "TBA roll." In a "TBA roll," a Fund generally will sell the obligation to purchase the pools stipulated in the TBA agreement prior to the stipulated settlement date and will enter into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage pass-through securities. In addition, a Fund may enter into TBA agreements and settle such transactions on the stipulated settlement date by accepting actual receipt or delivery of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities stipulated in the TBA agreement. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose a Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. To minimize this risk, the Funds will enter into TBA transactions only with established counterparties (such as major broker-dealers) and BGFA will monitor the creditworthiness of such counterparties. The use of "TBA rolls" may cause the Funds to experience higher portfolio turnover and to pay higher capital gain distributions, which may result in larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to shareholders.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Each Fund may invest in municipal securities. Municipal securities are generally issued by states and local governments and their agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are subject to interest rate, credit and market risk. The ability of a municipal security issuer to make payments on that security could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Lower rated municipal bonds are subject to greater credit and market risk than higher quality municipal bonds. Municipal securities in which the Funds may invest include, but are not limited to, municipal lease obligations and securities issued by entities whose underlying assets are municipal bonds.
Each Fund will invest in high-quality, long-term municipal bonds, municipal notes and short-term commercial paper with remaining maturities not exceeding 397 calendar days.
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS. Each Fund may invest in participation interests in any type of security in which the Fund may invest. A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in the underlying securities in the proportion that the Fund's participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the underlying securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Each Fund will enter into repurchase agreements with certain counterparties. Repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase financial instruments and to resell those instruments back to the same counterparty at an agreed-upon date and price, which price reflects a rate of interest unrelated to a coupon rate or maturity of the purchased instruments. The value of the instruments purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase them. As protection against the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation, the instruments are marked to market daily and are maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. The Funds will only enter into repurchase agreements with counterparties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by BGFA.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling restricted securities may result in a loss or be costly to the Funds. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the restricted security's holder may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time the holder decides to seek registration and the time the holder may be permitted to sell the security under an effective registration statement. If, during that period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
UNRATED INVESTMENTS. Each Fund may purchase instruments that are not rated if, in the opinion of BGFA, such obligations are of an investment quality that is comparable to other rated investments that are permitted for purchase by a Fund, and they are
purchased in accordance with the Trust's procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Such procedures require approval or ratification by the Board of Trustees of the purchase of unrated securities. After purchase by a Fund, a security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require an immediate sale of such security by a Fund provided that, when a security ceases to be rated, BGFA determines that such security presents minimal credit risks and, provided further that, when a security rating is downgraded below the eligible quality for investment or no longer presents minimal credit risks, BGFA finds that the sale of such security would not be in a Fund's shareholders' best interests.
To the extent the ratings given by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization ("NRSRO") may change as a result of changes in such organization or its rating systems, the Funds will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for investments in accordance with the investment policies contained in their Prospectuses and this SAI. The ratings of NRSROs are more fully described in the Appendix of this SAI.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Each Fund may invest in U.S. government obligations, including securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations (i) may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (as with U.S. Treasury obligations and GNMA certificates), or (ii) may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself (as with FNMA notes). In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. U.S. Treasury obligations are direct obligations of the U.S. government that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. U.S. Treasury obligations include, among other things, U.S. Treasury bills, notes, bonds, and the separately traded principal and interest components of securities guaranteed or issued by the U.S. Treasury if such components are traded independently under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities Program ("STRIPS").
Portfolio Holdings Information
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP have adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of portfolio holdings information that requires that such information be disclosed in a manner that (a) is consistent with applicable legal requirements and in the best interests of each Fund's and Master Portfolio's respective shareholders or interestholders, as applicable; (b) does not put the interests of the Investment Adviser, the Funds' distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor" or "SEI"), or any affiliated person of the Funds, the Master Portfolios, the Investment Adviser or the Distributor, above those of the Funds' shareholders and the Master Portfolios' interestholders; (c) does not advantage any current or prospective Fund shareholders or Master Portfolio interestholders over any other current or prospective Fund shareholders or Master Portfolio interestholders; and (d) does not provide selective access to portfolio holdings information except pursuant to the procedures outlined below and to the extent appropriate confidentiality arrangements and/or control mechanisms (such as by virtue of duties to the Funds or the Master Portfolios) limiting the use of such information are in effect. None of the Funds, the Master Portfolios, the Investment Adviser or BGI receive any compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the arrangements described below.
The policy described herein only relates to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Funds and the Master Portfolios.
SERVICE PROVIDERS. Daily access to information concerning portfolio holdings is permitted, without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed, (i) to personnel of the Investment Adviser who manage the Master Portfolios' assets ("Portfolio Managers") or who provide administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to the Portfolio Managers ("Support Staff"), and (ii) to other personnel of the Investment Adviser and the Trust's and Master Portfolios' service providers, such as BGI, Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT") and SEI, who deal directly with, or assist in, functions related to investment management, administration, custody, and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the Funds and the terms of their respective current registration statements. Portfolio Managers and Support Staff may also release and discuss portfolio holdings information with various broker-dealers, including broker-dealers affiliated with the Investment Adviser, in connection
with managing the Master Portfolios' assets and settling the Master Portfolios' transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the Funds and the terms of their respective current registration statements.
From time to time, portfolio holdings information may also be provided, in the ordinary course of business without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed (provided that such information is provided no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of such information), to other persons and entities, including, among others, the Trust's and MIP's Trustees; the auditors of the Funds and the Master Portfolios; counsel to the Trust or MIP, and counsel to the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or MIP (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the "Independent Trustees"); pricing service vendors; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; rating or ranking organizations; or as otherwise required by law or regulation. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities to which the Funds and the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information in the ordinary course of business without any lag as described above: Moody's Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), Lipper, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., as the rating organizations for certain of the Master Portfolios; and Interactive Data Corp. and Reuters, as the pricing services for the Master Portfolios. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected. Generally, the above persons and entities are subject to duties of confidentiality arising under law or contract that the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP believe provide an adequate safeguard for such information.
THIRD-PARTY FEEDER FUNDS. Each Master Portfolio provides portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for feeder funds sponsored by institutions not affiliated with BGFA that invest in such Master Portfolio (each, a "third-party feeder fund") as may be necessary to (i) conduct business of the third-party feeder funds in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the third-party feeder funds and the terms of the Master Portfolio's current registration statement, or (ii) satisfy legal requirements applicable to the third-party feeder funds. Such portfolio holdings information may be provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed. Each third-party feeder fund is subject to the terms and duties of confidentiality of its own portfolio holdings disclosure policy as adopted by its board of directors or trustees (which policy may be different than the Trust's and MIP's policy described herein), and none of BGFA, BGI or the Board of Trustees of the Trust or MIP exercises control over any third-party feeder fund's policies. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of third-party feeder funds and their service providers with which the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information: Barclays Global Investors Cayman Prime Money Market Fund, Ltd., Barclays Global Investors Cash Advantage LLC, Barclays Global Investors Cayman Cash Advantage, Ltd. Fund, Hewitt Money Market Fund, Hewitt Series Trust, Hewitt Financial Services LLC, PayPal Money Market Reserve Fund, PayPal Funds, and PayPal Asset Management, Inc. Such information is generally provided within five business days following month-end. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected.
BGFA, BGI and the Master Portfolios may also provide portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for a potential third-party feeder fund to the extent necessary for such entities to evaluate a potential investment in the relevant Master Portfolio, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information to that purpose.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS. Each Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the SEC on a quarterly basis, based on such Fund's fiscal year, within 70 days after the end of the calendar quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.
OTHER PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. A Fund or its related Master Portfolio may voluntarily disclose portfolio holdings information in advance of required filings with the SEC to persons and entities that make such information generally available to interested persons, such as institutional investors and their advisers and representatives. These persons and entities may make such information available through a variety of methods, including without limitation via websites, e-mail and other forms of publication. Such portfolio holdings information may be provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed, provided that such information is provided no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of such information. No conditions or restrictions are placed on the use of such information because the Funds and the Master Portfolios intend that the persons and entities to which such information is provided will make such information generally available to all interested persons. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities with which the Funds or the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information and the frequency with which such information is provided: iMoney Net (weekly), Bloomberg (monthly) and Micropal (monthly). Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected.
APPROVED RECIPIENTS. The Funds' and the Master Portfolios' Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy.
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP review the above policy and the procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually. There can be no assurance that the Trust's and MIP's policy and procedures with respect to disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by persons that receive such information.
Management
The Trust's Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Officers generally serve at the pleasure of the Trustees. BGIF, MIP, iShares Trust and iShares, Inc. are considered to be members of the same fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act. Lee T. Kranefuss also serves as a Trustee of MIP and iShares Trust and as a Director of iShares, Inc. Each other Trustee of BGIF also serves as a Trustee for MIP. The address for each Trustee and officer, unless otherwise noted in the tables below, is Barclays Global Investors, N.A., c/o Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
The Trust's Independent Trustees have designated Leo Soong as the Lead Independent Trustee.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Trustee (since 2001), (1961) President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2002). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------ --------------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Chief Executive Officer (since 149 Director (since 2003) of BGI (1961) 2005) of the Global Index and Cayman Prime Money Market Markets Group of BGI; Chief Fund, Ltd.; Trustee (since Executive Officer (since 2003) of 2001) of MIP; Trustee (since the Intermediary Investors and 2003) of iShares Trust; Director Exchange Traded Products (since 2001) of iShares, Inc. Business of BGI; Director (since 2005) of Barclays Global Advisors; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors Services; Chief Executive Officer (1999-2003) of the Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
*Lee T. Kranefuss is deemed to be an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BGFA, the investment adviser of the Master Portfolios, BGI, the parent company of BGFA and the administrator of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, and Barclays Global Investors Services, an affiliate of BGFA and BGI.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman Trustee (since 2001) (1944) and Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee (since 2006). A. John Gambs Trustee (since 2006) (1945) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since 2006). Wendy Paskin-Jordan Trustee (since 2006). (1956) Leo Soong Trustee (since 2000) (1946) and Lead Independent Trustee (since 2006). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ----------------------------------- ------------ --------------------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman President (since 2004) and 24 Trustee (since 2001) of MIP; (1944) Director (since 2002) of the Director (since 1984) and Lead Bernard Osher Foundation; Independent Director (since Director (2003-2004) of Osher 2000) of the Bank of Hawaii; Lifelong Learning Institutes; Director (since 2002) and President and Chief Executive Chairman of the Board (since Officer (2002-2003) of The James 2005) of PBS (Public Irvine Foundation; President and Broadcasting Service). Chief Executive Officer (1993- 2002) of KQED, Inc. A. John Gambs Retired. 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP. (1945) Wendy Paskin-Jordan Managing Partner (since 1999) of 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP; (1956) Paskin & Kahr Capital Director (since 2001) of the Management; Registered California State Automobile Representative (since 2005) of Association; Director (since ThinkEquity Partners (broker- 2001) of Maier Siebel Baber. dealer); Registered Representative (1999-2005) of ePlanning Securities Inc. (broker-dealer). Leo Soong President (since 2002) of Trinity 24 Trustee (since 2000) of MIP; (1946) Products LLC (healthy beverage Vice Chairman (since 2005) of company); Managing Director the California Pacific Medical (since 1989) of CG Roxane LLC Center; Director (since 1990) of (water company); Co-Founder the California State Automobile (President through 1999) of Association; Director (since Crystal Geyser Water Co. 2002) of the American Automobile Association. |
OFFICER
POSITION(S), LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------------- Michael A. Latham Secretary, Treasurer Head of Americas iShares (since (1965) and Chief Financial 2007); Chief Operating Officer Officer (since 2003). (since 2003) of the Intermediary Investors and Exchange Traded Products Business of BGI; Director and Chief Financial Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director (2000-2003) of Mutual Fund Delivery in the U.S. Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
COMMITTEES. There are two standing committees of the Board of Trustees - the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee. Members of the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee include each
Independent Trustee. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for
recommending to the Board persons to be nominated for election as Trustees by
the shareholders or for appointment as Trustees by the sitting Trustees, when
permissible. Pursuant to the rules under the 1940 Act, only Independent
Trustees may select and nominate other Independent Trustees for BGIF. The
Nominating and Governance Committee generally does not consider nominees
recommended by shareholders, but may do so if the Nominating and Governance
Committee deems it appropriate. Shareholders who want to recommend nominees can
contact the Nominating and Governance Committee by sending a signed letter that
provides relevant information regarding the nominee and includes: (a) the
shareholder's name and address; (b) the number of shares owned by the
shareholder; (c) the Fund or Funds of which the shareholder owns shares; and
(d) if such shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner. The letter should be addressed to BGIF
Board of Trustees - Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Barclays Global
Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco,
CA 94105. Mary G. F. Bitterman serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and
Governance Committee. Prior to August 29, 2006, the Nominating and Governance
Committee was known as the Nominating Committee. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, the Nominating and Governance Committee held four meetings.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a separate charter and is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the Funds' accounting and financial reporting practices, reviewing the results of the annual audits of the Funds' financial statements and interacting with the Funds' independent auditors on behalf of the full Board. A. John Gambs serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
BENEFICIAL EQUITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION. The table below shows for each Trustee the amount of interests in each Fund beneficially owned by the Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities within the same family of investment companies, stated as one of the following ranges: 0 = $0; A = $1-$10,000; B = $10,001-$50,000; C = $50,001-$100,000; and D = over $100,000.
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY IN THE FAMILY MONEY MONEY PRIME MONEY MONEY OF INVESTMENT INTERESTED TRUSTEE MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND COMPANIES -------------------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Lee T. Kranefuss 0 0 0 0 D |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY IN THE FAMILY MONEY MONEY PRIME MONEY MONEY OF INVESTMENT INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND MARKET FUND COMPANIES ---------------------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman 0 0 0 0 0 A. John Gambs 0 0 0 0 0 Wendy Paskin-Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 Leo Soong 0 0 0 0 0 |
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN ENTITIES. As of December 31, 2006, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own any securities of BGFA, the Distributor, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BGFA or the Distributor, unless noted above.
CODES OF ETHICS. The Trust, BGFA and SEI have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Master Portfolios. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees has
established a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board of
Trustees. Shareholders may contact the Board of Trustees by mail.
Correspondence should be addressed to Barclays Global Investors Funds Board of
Trustees, c/o Barclays Global Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45
Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Shareholders' communications to the
Board of Trustees should include the following information: (a) the name and
address of the shareholder; (b) the number of shares owned by the shareholder;
(c) the Fund(s) of which the shareholder owns shares; and (d) if these shares
are owned indirectly through a broker, financial intermediary or other record
owner, the name of the broker, financial intermediary or other record owner.
All correspondence received as set forth above shall be reviewed by the
Secretary of the Trust and reported to the Board of Trustees.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $17,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,500 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members receive a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust pays the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $2,500 and the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee an annual fee of $1,250. The Lead Independent Trustee receives an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
Prior to January 2007, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $12,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,000 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members received a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust paid the Audit Committee Chairperson an annual base fee of $2,500 and the Lead Independent Trustee an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
The Trust reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending Board and committee meetings. Currently, the Trustees do not receive any retirement benefits or deferred compensation from the fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act.
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) --------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss $0 $0 |
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) ----------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman $25,000 $ 50,000 Jack S. Euphrat(3) $ 8,625 $ 17,250 A. John Gambs(4) $18,755 $ 37,511 Richard K. Lyons $26,337 $ 154,413(5) Wendy Paskin-Jordan(4) $18,375 $ 36,750 Leo Soong $29,880 $ 59,761 |
(1)The Trustees were paid in 2006 for a Nominating Committee meeting that
they attended during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
(2) Includes compensation for services on the Board of Trustees of MIP.
(3) Served as Trustee of the Trust through March 14, 2006.
(4) Compensation for A. John Gambs and Wendy Paskin-Jordan reflects their
appointment to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust effective March
16, 2006.
(5) Includes compensation as Trustee of iShares Trust and Director of
iShares, Inc. Mr. Lyons served as Trustee of the Trust through November 6,
2006.
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities
As of April 2, 2007, the shareholders below were known by the Trust to own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the specified Fund or share class, as the case may be, in the following capacity:
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF NAME OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF FUND OWNERSHIP ------------------------ --------------------------------- ------------ ---------- Prime Money Market Fund Institutional Shares INVESTORS BANK AND TRUST 30% Record 200 CLARENDON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 15% Record 200 N COLLEGE ST, 3RD FLR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 Premium Shares GOLDMAN SACHS 30% Record 71 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE CHICAGO, IL 60606 CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE INC 13% Record 20 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 500 CHICAGO, IL 60606 HARE & CO 10% Record 11 SANDERS CREEK PARKWAY EAST SYRACUSE, NY 13057 CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC 9% Record 333 WEST 34TH ST NEW YORK, NY 10001 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF NAME OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF FUND OWNERSHIP -------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- MELLON BANK NA 8% Record ONE MELLON BANK CENTER 500 GRANT STREET ROOM 151-0440 PITTSBURGH, PA 15258 MELLON FINANCIAL BANK NA 6% Record ONE MELLON BANK CENTER 500 GRANT STREET ROOM 151-0440 PITTSBURGH, PA 15258 Select Shares BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 89% Record 200 N COLLEGE ST, 3RD FLR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 Trust Shares BARCLAYS CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 100% Record 33RD FLOOR 45 FREMONT STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 Institutional Money Market Fund Aon Captives Shares BARCLAYS NOMINEES (MANX) LIMITED 52% Record BARCLAYS HOUSE VICTORIA STREET, PO BOX 9 DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN, UK IM99 1AJ BARCLAYS NOMINEES (MANX) LIMITED 13% Record BARCLAYS HOUSE VICTORIA STREET, PO BOX 9 DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN, UK IM99 1AJ NRI INSURANCE COMPANY 19% Record 76 ST PAUL STREET SUITE 500 BURLINGTON, VT 05401-4477 BOM AMBIENTE INSURANCE COMPANY 10% Record PO BOX 69 GT GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS Institutional Shares INVESTORS BANK & TRUST 11% Record MAIL CODE TRD 18 200 CLARENDON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 DELOITTE & TOUCHE USA LLP 20% Record SELLS DRIVE HERMITAGE, TN 37076 UBS INVESTMENT GROUP 9% Record 677 WASHINGTON BLVD STAMFORD, CT 06912 QUALCOMM INC 5% Record 5775 MOREHOUSE DR SAN DIEGO, CA 92121 Premium Shares CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE INC 41% Record 30 SOUTH WALKER DRIVE CHICAGO, IL 60606 CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE INC 24% Record 30 SOUTH WALKER DRIVE CHICAGO, IL 60606 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF NAME OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF FUND OWNERSHIP ----------------------------- --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- BEAR STEARNS SECURITIES CORP 10% Record ONE METROTECH CENTER NORTH BROOKLYN, NY 11201 BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 7% Record 200 N COLLEGE ST, 3RD FLR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 PFPC INC 6% Record 760 MOORE ST KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406 Select Shares BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 63% Record 200 N COLLEGE ST, 3RD FLR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 BEAR STEARNS SECURITIES CORP 6% Record ONE METROTECH CENTER NORTH BROOKLYN, NY 11201 Trust Shares FTCI AGENT REVENUE 92% Record 600 FIFTH ST NEW YORK, NY 10020 FTCI AGENT 8% Record 600 FIFTH ST NEW YORK, NY 10020 Government Money Market Fund Institutional Shares CHARLES SCHWAB TRUST CO 96% Record 101 MONTGOMERY STREET, SUITE 215 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 Premium Shares CALHOUN AND CO 37% Record 411 W LAFAYETTE MC 3455 DETROIT, MI 48226 BEAR STEARNS SECURITIES CORP 46% Record ONE METROTECH CENTER NORTH BROOKLYN, NY 11201 BEAR STEARNS SECURITIES CORP 17% Record ONE METROTECH CENTER NORTH BROOKLYN, NY 11201 Select Shares CAROLINA FIRST BANK 100% Record 1501 MAIN STREET 3RD FLOOR COLUMBIA, SC 29201 Trust Shares BARCLAYS CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 100% Record 33RD FLOOR 45 FREMONT STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Shares COUNTY OF FAIRFAX 100% Record 12000 GOVERNMENT CENTER PARKWAY FAIRFAX, VA 22035 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF NAME OF FUND NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF FUND OWNERSHIP --------------- --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Premium Shares MELLON BANK NA 99% Record ONE MELLON BANK CENTER 500 GRANT STREET ROOM 151-0440 PITTSBURGH, PA 15258 Select Shares BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 100% Record 200 N COLLEGE ST, 3RD FLR CHARLOTTE, NC 28255 Trust Shares BARCLAYS CALIFORNIA CORPORATION 100% Record 33RD FLOOR 45 FREMONT STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 |
For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to "control" such company. Accordingly, to the extent that a shareholder identified in the foregoing table is identified as the beneficial holder of more than 25% of a Fund, or is identified as the holder of record of more than 25% of a Fund and has voting and/or investment powers, such shareholder may be presumed to control such Fund.
As of April 2, 2007, Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers
INVESTMENT ADVISER. The Funds are feeder funds in a master/feeder structure. As a result each Fund invests all of its assets in a related Master Portfolio of MIP. The Master Portfolios have retained BGFA as the investment adviser to manage their assets.
ADVISORY FEES. BGFA is entitled to receive monthly fees at the annual rate of 0.10% of each Master Portfolio's average daily net assets. From time to time, BGFA may waive such fees in whole or in part. Any such waiver will reduce the expenses of each Master Portfolio and, accordingly, have a favorable impact on its performance. BGFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fees and accept payment at an annual rate of 0.07% from May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2009 with respect to each Master Portfolio. BGFA does not engage an investment sub-adviser, but instead manages the Master Portfolios' assets itself. Pursuant to the advisory contracts between BGFA and the Master Portfolios ("Advisory Contracts"), BGFA furnishes MIP's Board of Trustees with periodic reports on the investment strategy and performance of the Master Portfolios.
BGFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI. BGI is a national bank which is in turn, a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.
The applicable Advisory Contract is subject to annual approval by (i) MIP's Board of Trustees or (ii) the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting interests of such Master Portfolio, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of MIP's Board of Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of MIP, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The applicable Advisory Contract is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' written notice, by either party. The applicable Advisory Contract will terminate automatically, as to the relevant Master Portfolio, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
For the fiscal period and years shown below, the related Master Portfolio of each Fund paid with respect to the Funds the following advisory fees to BGFA:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund $1,715,240 $9,771,810 $6,970,881 Institutional Money Market Fund $2,435,562 $3,442,469 $4,184,973 Government Money Market Fund* $ 0 $ 121,718 $ 119,967 Treasury Money Market Fund* $ 0 $ 0 ($23,305) |
For the fiscal period and years shown below, BGFA waived the following advisory fees with respect to the Funds:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund $3,874,593 $2,766,658 $1,703,570 Institutional Money Market Fund $2,426,836 $3,129,635 $1,272,918 Government Money Market Fund* $ 133,897 $ 799,065 $ 31,382 Treasury Money Market Fund* $ 134 $ 17,151 $ 85,545 |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of MIP, counsel to the Independent Trustees of MIP, and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Master Portfolios (collectively referred to as the "MIP Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the Master Portfolios. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGFA voluntarily agreed to cap the expenses of the Master Portfolios at the rate at which the Master Portfolios paid advisory fees to BGFA and, therefore, BGFA provided an offsetting credit against the advisory fees paid by the Master Portfolios in an amount equal to the MIP Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to each Master Portfolio for such MIP Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal period and years shown below, BGFA provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against advisory fees paid with respect to the Master Portfolios:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund N/A N/A $87,361 Institutional Money Market Fund N/A N/A $57,289 Government Money Market Fund* N/A N/A $24,138 Treasury Money Market Fund* N/A N/A $23,305 |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
ADMINISTRATOR. The Trust has engaged BGI to provide certain administration services to the Funds. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Trust, BGI provides as administration services, among other things: supervision of the administrative operation of the Trust and the Funds, provision of management reporting and treasury administration services, financial reporting, legal and tax services, and preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports for the Funds. BGI also furnishes office space and certain facilities required for conducting the business of the Trust together with all other administrative services that are not being furnished by the Funds' Investment Adviser. BGI also pays the compensation of the Trust's Trustees who are not Independent Trustees and of officers and employees who are affiliated with the Trust. For providing such services, BGI is entitled to a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.05% of each Fund's average daily net assets for the Aon Captives Shares and Institutional Shares, 0.10% of each Fund's average daily net assets for the Premium Shares, 0.15% of each Fund's average daily net assets for the Select Shares (0.13% pursuant to BGI's contractual agreement to waive a portion of its administration fees for the Select Shares from September 1, 2006 through April 30, 2008), and 0.38% of each Fund's average daily net assets for the Trust Shares. BGI has contracted with IBT to provide certain sub-administration services pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust.
BGI also may engage and supervise Shareholder Servicing Agents and Servicing Agents, as defined in "Shareholder Servicing Agents" below, on behalf of the Funds.
In addition, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of the Funds' and the Trust's operations, including, in the case of each Fund's Institutional Shares, shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.05%, in the case of each Fund's Premium Shares, shareholder servicing
fees of up to 0.10%, in the case of each Fund's Select Shares, shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.15%, and, in the case of each Fund's Trust Shares, shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.25% and processing fees of up to 0.13%, but not including brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution plan expenses, certain fees and expenses related to the Trust's Independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses.
BGI is not entitled to compensation for providing administration services to a Master Portfolio for so long as BGI is entitled to compensation for providing administration services to the Fund that invests substantially all of its assets in the Master Portfolio, or BGI or an affiliate receives advisory fees from the Master Portfolio. Each Fund having multiple classes allocates all expenses of the Master Portfolio, including the Master Portfolio's advisory fee, to each share class in proportion to the aggregate net asset value of such class as compared to all classes of the Fund, in accordance with the Fund's multi-class plan under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
For the fiscal period and years shown below, the Funds paid the following administration fees to BGI:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund $936,988 $2,960,690 $4,288,650 Institutional Money Market Fund $909,702 $1,247,007 $1,982,245 Government Money Market Fund* $ 162 $ 124,446 $ 127,639 Treasury Money Market Fund* $ 162 $ 1,572 ($9,603) |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
For the fiscal period and years shown below, BGI waived the following administration fees with respect to the Funds:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund $1,118,034 $2,322,017 $ 462,858 Institutional Money Market Fund $ 472,072 $1,312,234 $1,182,953 Government Money Market Fund* $ 26,775 $ 163,899 $ 2,845 Treasury Money Market Fund* $ 25 $ 3,428 $ 39,028 |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Trust, and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Funds (collectively referred to as the "BGIF Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the Funds. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGI voluntarily agreed to provide an offsetting credit against the administration fees paid by the Funds in an amount equal to the BGIF Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to the Funds for such BGIF Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal period and years shown below, BGI provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against administration fees paid with respect to the Funds:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Prime Money Market Fund N/A N/A $80,681 Institutional Money Market Fund N/A N/A $54,048 Government Money Market Fund* N/A N/A $17,259 Treasury Money Market Fund* N/A N/A $16,432 |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
DISTRIBUTOR. SEI is the distributor for the Funds' shares. SEI is a registered broker-dealer located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. Since 1968, SEI has been a leading provider of outsourced investment business solutions for fund administration and distribution, asset management and investment systems and processing.
SEI, as the principal underwriter of the Funds within the meaning of the 1940 Act, has entered into a distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with the Trust pursuant to which SEI has the responsibility for distributing Fund shares. The Distribution Agreement provides that SEI shall act as agent for the Funds for the sale of Fund shares, and may enter into sales support agreements with selling agents that wish to make available Fund shares to their respective customers ("Selling Agents"). BGI presently acts as a Selling Agent, but does not receive any fee from the Funds for such activities. In addition, SEI provides certain compliance related, sales related and other services for the Funds pursuant to a Service Standards Agreement with BGI, and BGI compensates SEI for these services.
INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND - AON CAPTIVES SHARES DISTRIBUTION PLAN. With respect solely to the Institutional Money Market Fund, the Fund has adopted a distribution plan (a "Plan") under Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder for its Aon Captives Shares. The Plan was adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Plan was adopted because of its anticipated benefits to the Fund. The anticipated benefits include: easier and more effective management as a result of steady inflows of cash from the sale of new shares, a reduction in the expense ratio as a result of achieving economies of scale, lower transaction costs or better prices as a result of the ability to purchase larger blocks of securities, and avoidance of the forced sale of securities to meet redemptions that might adversely affect the performance of the Fund. The Institutional Money Market Fund currently does not have a distribution plan in place for its Premium, Institutional, Select or Trust Shares. Shareholders of the Premium, Institutional, Select or Trust Shares of each Fund do not pay any fees for distribution services.
Under the Plan and pursuant to the related Distribution Agreement, the Institutional Money Market Fund pays an annual fee of 0.10% of the average daily net asset value ("NAV") of the Institutional Money Market Fund's Aon Captives Shares as compensation for distribution-related services or as reimbursement for distribution-related expenses. Aon Securities Corporation ("Aon") has executed a Selling Group Agreement with SEI that enables Aon to serve as the exclusive distributor for the Aon Captives Shares. The Aon Captives Shares are sold primarily to captive insurance companies administered by Aon Insurance Managers, the captive management and risk finance consulting arm of Aon.
For the fiscal years shown below, the Aon Captives Shares of the Institutional Money Market Fund paid the following distribution fees under the Plan:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ Institutional Money Market Fund (Aon Captives Shares) $84,379 $95,721 $76,420 |
The actual fee payable to the Distributor by the Institutional Money Market Fund's Aon Captives Shares is determined, within such limits, from time to time by mutual agreement between the Trust and the Distributor and will not exceed the maximum sales charges payable by mutual funds sold by members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") under the Conduct Rules of the NASD. The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with one or more selling agents under which such agents may receive compensation for distribution-related services from the Distributor, including, but not limited to, commissions or other payments to such agents based on the average daily net assets of Institutional Money Market Fund shares attributable to their customers. The Distributor may retain any portion of the total distribution fee payable thereunder to compensate it for distribution-related services provided by it or to reimburse it for other distribution-related expenses.
The Plan will continue in effect from year to year if such continuance is approved by a majority vote of both the Board of Trustees and, voting separately, the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement related to the Plan also must be approved by such vote of the Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned, and may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Aon Captives Shares of the Fund or by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees on not more than 60 days' written notice. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amounts payable thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan may be made except by a majority of both the Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees.
The Plan requires that the Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended (and purposes therefor) under the Plan. Rule 12b-1 also requires that the selection and nomination of Independent Trustees be made by such Independent Trustees.
In addition to payments received from the Fund, selling or servicing agents may receive significant additional payments directly from BGI, BGFA, SEI or their affiliates in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENTS. The Institutional, Premium, Select and Trust Shares of the Funds have adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan pursuant to which they have entered into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with BGI and other entities, and BGI may enter into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with other entities (collectively, "Shareholder Servicing Agents") for the provision of certain services to Fund shareholders.
The Trust Shares of the Funds have also adopted a Shareholder Servicing and Processing Plan pursuant to which they or BGI have entered into Shareholder Servicing and Processing Agreements with certain financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals (collectively, "Servicing Agents") for providing services to the Trust Class shareholders.
The Shareholder Servicing Plan services provided by BGI or Shareholder Servicing Agents may include serving as an agent of the Funds for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, providing administrative support and account service such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus Fund accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the Funds, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts.
Pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust, as described in the section entitled "Administrator," BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding maximum fee rates approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees, for those shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and processing services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the Funds' other service providers. For providing some or all of these services, each Shareholder Servicing Agent is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of up to 0.05% of the average daily value of each Fund represented by Institutional Shares owned, up to 0.10% of the average daily value of each Fund represented by Premium Shares owned, up to 0.15% of the average daily value of each Fund represented by Select Shares owned, and up to 0.25% of the average daily value of each Fund represented by the Trust Shares owned during the period for which payment is being made by investors with whom the Shareholder Servicing Agent maintains a servicing relationship, or an amount that equals the maximum amount payable to the Shareholder Servicing Agent under applicable laws, regulations or rules, including the Conduct Rules of the NASD, whichever is less.
Pursuant to the Shareholder Servicing and Processing Plan for the Trust Shares, Servicing Agents provide personal services relating to the aggregation and processing of purchase and redemption orders, processing of dividend payments, certain sub-accounting services, transmission and receipt of funds in connection with purchase and redemption orders, verification of certain personal information in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares, and generating and distributing periodic statements and other information as required. For these services, each Servicing Agent is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of up to 0.13% of the average daily value of each Fund represented by Trust Shares owned during the period for which payment is being made by investors with whom the Servicing Agent maintains a servicing arrangement.
In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents or Servicing Agents for the services described above. From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the Distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of Fund shares.
As discussed above, BGI has agreed to pay the Shareholder Servicing Plan and Shareholder Servicing and Processing Plan fees pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust. For the fiscal period and years shown below, BGI paid shareholder servicing fees on behalf of the Funds in the following amounts:
FISCAL PERIOD ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED FUND 12/31/2004 12/31/2005 12/31/2006 -------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- Prime Money Market Fund $403,024 $ 490,258 $937,097 Institutional Money Market Fund $578,047 $1,985,566 $477,863 Government Money Market Fund* $ 0 $ 88,500 $ 78,215 Treasury Money Market Fund* $ 0 $ 506 $ 6,934 |
* Commenced operations September 1, 2004.
A Shareholder Servicing Agent (or Servicing Agent for the Trust Class) also may impose certain conditions on its customers, subject to the terms of this SAI, that are in addition to or different from those imposed by the Trust, such as requiring a minimum initial investment or payment of a separate fee for additional services.
CUSTODIAN. IBT has been retained to act as custodian for the Funds and the Master Portfolios and performs such services at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. The custodian, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of the Funds and the Master Portfolios; receives and delivers all assets for each Fund and each Master Portfolio upon purchase and upon sale or maturity, and collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of the Funds and the Master Portfolios. IBT is not entitled to compensation for providing custody services to each Fund and each Master Portfolio pursuant to the Custody Agreement so long as it receives compensation from BGI for providing sub-administration services to the Trust, on behalf of the Funds.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT. IBT has also been retained to act as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds and the Master Portfolios. For its services as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to the Funds and the Master Portfolios, IBT is paid fees based on the Funds' and the Master Portfolios' net assets. IBT is entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Transfer Agency Agreement. BGI has agreed to pay these fees and expenses pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust. In addition, the Transfer Agency Agreement contemplates that IBT will be reimbursed for other expenses incurred by it at the request or with the written consent of the Funds, including, without limitation, any equipment or supplies that the Trust specifically orders or requires IBT to order.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, serves as legal counsel to the Trust, MIP and BGFA.
Determination of Net Asset Value
The Master Portfolios use the amortized cost method to determine the value of their respective securities pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost and amortizing any discount or premium over the period until maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which the value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that the Funds would receive if the security were sold. During these periods the yield to a shareholder may differ somewhat from that which could be obtained from a similar fund that uses a method of valuation based upon market prices. Thus, during periods of declining interest rates, if the use of the amortized cost method results in a lower value of each Fund's portfolio on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Funds would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from making an investment in the Funds using solely market values, and existing Fund shareholders would receive correspondingly less income. The converse would apply during periods of rising interest rates.
Rule 2a-7 provides that in order to value their portfolios using the amortized cost method, the Funds must maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less, purchase securities having remaining maturities (as defined in Rule 2a-7) of 397 calendar days (about 13 months) or less and invest only in those high-quality securities that are determined by the Board of Trustees to present minimal credit risks. The maturity of an instrument is generally deemed to be the period remaining until the date when the principal amount thereof is due or the date on which the instrument is to be redeemed. However, Rule 2a-7 provides that the maturity of an instrument may be deemed shorter in the case of certain instruments, including certain variable- and floating-rate instruments subject to demand features. Pursuant to Rule 2a-7, the Board is required to establish procedures
designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, each Fund's price per share as computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions at $1.00. Such procedures include review of each Fund's portfolio holdings by the Board of Trustees, at such intervals as it may deem appropriate, to determine whether a Fund's net asset value calculated by using available market quotations deviates from the $1.00 per share based on amortized cost. The extent of any deviation will be examined by the Board of Trustees. If such deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Board will promptly consider what action, if any, will be initiated. In the event the Board determines that a deviation exists that may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Board will take such corrective action as it regards as necessary and appropriate, including the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity, withholding dividends or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations.
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
TERMS OF PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION. The Funds are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and are generally closed on all other days that the Fedwire Funds Service (the "Fedwire") is closed or the primary markets for the Master Portfolios' portfolio securities are closed. The holidays on which the Fedwire is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Each Fund reserves the right to change the amount of the minimum investment and subsequent purchases in the Fund. An investor's investment in the Funds and/or other investment vehicles managed or maintained by BGFA or its affiliates may be aggregated when determining whether an investor meets a minimum investment amount. The minimum initial investment amounts for the classes of the Funds may be reduced or waived by BGFA. On any day a Fund closes early, purchase and redemption orders received after the Funds' closing time will be executed on the next business day. In addition, the Funds reserve the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received to be executed on the same business day as permitted by the SEC.
IN-KIND PURCHASES. Payment for shares of the Funds may, at the discretion of
BGFA, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for
the Funds and must meet the investment objectives, policies and limitations of
the Funds as described in their Prospectuses. In connection with an in-kind
securities payment, the Funds may require, among other things, that the
securities (i) be valued on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing
methods used by the Funds or the Master Portfolios; (ii) are accompanied by
satisfactory assurance that the Funds will have good and marketable title to
such securities received by them; (iii) are not subject to any restrictions
upon resale by the Funds; (iv) be in proper form for transfer to the Funds; and
(v) are accompanied by adequate information concerning the basis and other tax
matters relating to the securities. All dividends, interest, subscription or
other rights pertaining to such securities shall become the property of the
Funds engaged in the in-kind purchase transaction and must be delivered to such
Fund or Funds by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. Securities acquired
through an in-kind purchase will be acquired for investment and not for
immediate resale. A Fund immediately will transfer to its Master Portfolio any
and all securities received by it in connection with an in-kind purchase
transaction, in exchange for interests in such Master Portfolio. Shares
purchased in exchange for securities generally cannot be redeemed until the
transfer has settled.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS OR PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS. The Trust
may suspend the right of redemption or postpone redemption payments for one day
or longer than one day for any period during which (i) the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings); (ii) trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as
a result of which disposal or valuation of a Master Portfolio's investments is
not reasonably practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the SEC by order
may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend investors' rights of
redemption and to delay delivery of redemption proceeds, as permitted under
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, and other applicable laws.
Portfolio Transactions
Since the Funds invest all of their assets in portfolios of MIP, set forth below is a description of the Master Portfolios' policies governing portfolio securities transactions.
GENERAL. BGFA assumes general supervision over placing orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, BGFA's policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any, execution capability, settlement capability, back office efficiency and the financial
condition of the broker or dealer, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by BGFA based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. While BGFA generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads on commissions, each Master Portfolio will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread on commission available.
BGFA does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Master Portfolios have adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Master Portfolio's interests or a Fund's shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of fixed income securities for the Master Portfolios usually are principal transactions and ordinarily are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or broker-dealer. The Master Portfolios do not usually pay brokerage commissions in connection with such purchases and sales, but such transactions may be subject to mark-ups or mark-downs. A Master Portfolio's purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other accounts that BGFA manages or advises, and for which it has brokerage placement authority. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of a Master Portfolio and one or more other accounts managed or advised by BGFA are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Master Portfolio and the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by BGFA. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Master Portfolio is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to a Master Portfolio. BGFA may deal, trade and invest for its own account in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios may invest. BGFA may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf of and for the account of a Master Portfolio with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BGFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. The Master Portfolios will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by applicable SEC rule or regulation or by SEC exemptive order.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. Because the portfolios of the Funds consist of securities with relatively short-term maturities, the Funds expect to experience high portfolio turnover. A high portfolio turnover rate should not adversely affect the Funds since portfolio transactions ordinarily will be made directly with principals on a net basis and, consequently, the Funds usually will not incur brokerage expenses or excessive transaction costs.
SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS. As of December 31, 2006, none of the Master Portfolios owned securities of their "regular brokers or dealers" (as defined in the 1940 Act), or their parents, except as disclosed below:
MASTER PORTFOLIO REGULAR BROKER-DEALER OR PARENT AMOUNT ----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------- Prime Money Market Master Portfolio Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. $ 400,000,000 Morgan Stanley $ 100,000,000 Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. $ 65,000,000 Money Market Master Portfolio Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. $ 60,000,000 |
FREQUENT TRADING OF FUND SHARES. Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on funds and their shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of a fund's portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of a fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's net asset value ("market timing").
The Funds invest only in interests of the Master Portfolios, and the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing, including the fact that money market funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to offer maximum liquidity. MIP's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing or any other frequent trading activity because of the investment objectives and strategies of the Master Portfolios. The Trust's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the Funds in light
of the nature of the Funds' investments in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the Funds.
Distributions and Taxes
The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in each Prospectus entitled "Taxes." The Prospectuses generally describe the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions by the Funds. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "IRC"), applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. The following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters.
A shareholder's tax treatment may vary depending upon his or her particular situation. This discussion only applies to shareholders who are U.S. persons, I.E., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and hold Fund shares as capital assets within the meaning of the IRC. Except as otherwise noted, it may not apply to certain types of shareholders who may be subject to special rules, such as insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, shareholders holding Fund shares through tax-advantaged accounts (such as 401(k) plan accounts or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs")), financial institutions, broker-dealers, entities that are not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States, shareholders holding Fund shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction, and shareholders who are subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the foregoing discussion and the discussions in the Prospectuses applicable to each shareholder address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the Funds. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers and financial planners as to the particular U.S. federal tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds, as well as the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign laws, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. Each Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year, as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the IRC, as long as such qualification is in the best interests of the Fund's shareholders. Each Fund will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the IRC applicable to regulated investment companies generally will apply separately to each Fund, even though each Fund is a series of a trust. Furthermore, each Fund separately determines its income, gains, losses and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC, each Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined in Section 851(h) of the IRC). Pursuant to regulations that may be promulgated in the future, the IRS may limit qualifying income from foreign currency gains to the amount of such currency gains that are directly related to a regulated investment company's principal business of investing in stock or securities. Each Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the value of its assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (B) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets is invested in (A) the securities (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, (B) the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (C) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The qualifying income and diversification requirements applicable to a Fund may limit the extent to which it can engage in transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements.
In addition, each Fund generally must distribute to its shareholders an amount
equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its "investment company taxable
income," as that term is defined in the IRC (which generally includes, among
other things, dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of any net short-term
capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain
deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and
(ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income earned in each taxable year. A Fund
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the investment
company taxable income and "net capital gain" (I.E., the excess of net
long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its
shareholders. Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when
paid, if a Fund declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October,
November or December of one year and pays the distribution by January 31 of the
following year, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund
paid the distribution by December 31 of the calendar year in which it was
declared. Each Fund intends to distribute its net income and gain in a timely
manner to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and eliminate
fund-level U.S. federal income taxation of such income and gain. However, no
assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income
taxation.
If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC or fails to meet the distribution requirements described above, the Fund would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary U.S. corporation without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and all distributions from the Fund's earnings and profits (including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains) to its shareholders would also be taxable as ordinary income at the shareholder level. To qualify again to be taxed as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund may be required to pay an interest charge and penalty to the IRS as well as distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-regulated investment company years. In addition, if the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
EXCISE TAX. A 4% non-deductible excise tax will be imposed on each Fund to the
extent it fails to distribute during each calendar year (1) at least 98% of its
ordinary income (excluding capital gains and losses), for the calendar year,
(2) at least 98% of its net capital gain income for the 12 month period ending
on October 31, and (3) all of its ordinary income and net capital gain income
from previous years that were not distributed or subject to tax during such
years. Each Fund intends to actually or be deemed to distribute substantially
all of its net income and gains, if any, by the end of each calendar year and,
thus, expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be
given that a Fund will not be subject to the excise tax.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRY-FORWARDS. A Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss from any year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss. A Fund's capital loss carry-forward is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. If future capital gains are offset by carried-forward capital losses, such future capital gains are not subject to Fund-level U.S. federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the Funds do not expect to distribute such capital gains. The Funds cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses. As a money market fund, each Fund does not expect to have material capital loss carry-forwards, but no assurance can be given to this effect.
As of December 31, 2006, the following Fund had capital loss carry-forwards approximating the amount indicated for U.S. federal income tax purposes and expiring in the year indicated, as follows:
EXPIRING FUND 12/31/2014 ---------------------------------- ----------- Institutional Money Market Fund $818 |
INVESTMENT THROUGH THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The Funds seek to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies by investing their assets through the Master Portfolios. Each Master Portfolio is treated as a non-publicly traded partnership (or, in the event that a Fund is the sole investor in a Master Portfolio, as disregarded from the Fund) for U.S. federal income tax purposes rather than as a regulated investment company or a corporation under the IRC. Under the rules applicable to a non-publicly traded partnership (or disregarded entity), a proportionate share of any interest, dividends, gains and losses of a Master Portfolio will be deemed to have been realized by (I.E., "passed-through" to) its investors, including the corresponding Fund, regardless of whether any amounts are actually distributed by the Master Portfolio. Each investor in a Master Portfolio will be taxable on such share, as determined in accordance with the governing instruments of the particular Master Portfolio, the IRC and Treasury Regulations. Therefore, to the extent that a Master Portfolio were to accrue but not distribute any income or gains, the corresponding Fund
would be deemed to have realized its proportionate share of such income or gains without receipt of any corresponding distribution. However, each of the Master Portfolios will seek to minimize recognition by its investors (such as the Funds) of income and gains without a corresponding distribution. Furthermore, each Master Portfolio's assets, income and distributions will be managed in such a way that an investor in a Master Portfolio will be able to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets through the Master Portfolio.
TAXATION OF FUND INVESTMENTS. In general, if a Fund realizes gains or losses on the sale of portfolio securities, such gains or losses are capital gains or losses. If the Fund has held the disposed securities for more than one year at the time of disposition, such gains and losses generally are treated as long-term capital gains or losses.
If a Fund purchases a debt obligation with original issue discount ("OID"), generally at a price less than its principal amount, such as a zero-coupon bond, the Fund may be required to annually include in its taxable income a portion of the OID as ordinary income, even though the Fund will not receive cash payments for such discount until maturity or disposition of the obligation. A portion of the OID includible in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Gains recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including a municipal obligation) purchased by a Fund at a market discount, generally at a price less than its principal amount, generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of market discount which accrued, but was not previously recognized pursuant to an available election, during the term that the Fund held the debt obligation. A Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the OID on debt securities that is currently includible in income, even though the cash representing such income may not have been received by the Fund. Cash to pay such distributions may be obtained from borrowing or from sales proceeds of securities held by a Fund which the Fund otherwise might have continued to hold.
If an option granted by a Fund lapses or is terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund generally will realize a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund in the closing transaction. If securities are sold by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a call option granted by it, the Fund will add the premium received to the sale price of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the IRC, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of the Fund's income. Under Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future, any such transactions that are not directly related to a Fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% income test described above. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year exceeds a Fund's investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years.
If a Fund enters into a "constructive sale" of any appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest, or certain debt instruments, the Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale occurs when a Fund enters into one of the following transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the property. Losses from a constructive sale of property will be recognized when the property is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the property and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the IRC. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to a transaction if such transaction is closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year, the Fund holds the appreciated financial position throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed, and the Fund's risk of loss with respect to such position is not reduced at any time during such 60-day period.
In addition to the investments described above, prospective shareholders should be aware that other investments made by the Funds may involve sophisticated tax rules that may result in income or gain recognition by the Funds without corresponding current cash receipts. Although the Funds seek to avoid significant non-cash income, such non-cash income could be recognized
by the Funds, in which case the Funds may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above. In this regard, the Funds could be required at times to liquidate investments prematurely in order to satisfy their minimum distribution requirements.
TAXATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Fund's earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the Fund's taxable year and are allocated pro rata to distributions made throughout the entire year. All distributions paid out of a Fund's earnings and profits (as determined at the end of the year), whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund, generally are deemed to be taxable distributions and must generally be reported on each Fund shareholder's U.S. federal income tax return. Distributions in excess of a Fund's earnings and profits will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder's tax basis in the shareholder's Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis as capital gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. A Fund may make distributions in excess of earnings and profits to a limited extent, from time to time.
In general, assuming that each Fund has sufficient earnings and profits, distributions from investment company taxable income are taxable as ordinary income. Since each Fund's income is derived from sources that do not pay "qualified dividend income," as defined in Section 1(h)(11)(B) of the IRC, distributions from investment company taxable income of the Funds generally will not qualify for taxation at the maximum 15% U.S. federal income tax rate available to individuals on qualified dividend income.
Distributions designated by a Fund as a capital gain dividend, if any, will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the Fund's actual net capital gain for the taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Each Fund will designate capital gains dividends, if any, in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of a Fund's taxable year.
Distributions from each Fund paid to corporate shareholders are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deductions generally available to corporate taxpayers. The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
Some states will not tax distributions made to individual shareholders that are attributable to interest a Fund earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government if the Fund meets the state's minimum investment or reporting requirements, if any. Investments in GNMA or FNMA securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities generally do not qualify for tax-free treatment. This exemption may not apply to corporate shareholders.
SALES OF FUND SHARES. Redemptions generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transaction. In general, if Fund shares are sold, a shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. As long as the Funds maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share, generally no gain or loss should be recognized upon the sale of Fund shares. If a shareholder recognizes gain or loss on the sale of Fund shares, this gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held such Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the sale. If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to any Fund share and such Fund share is held for six months or less, then (unless otherwise disallowed) any loss on the sale or exchange of that Fund share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend. Losses on redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the same Fund (including those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after a redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal tax basis of the shares acquired in the other investments.
FOREIGN TAXES. Amounts realized by a Fund on foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year were to consist of securities of non-U.S. corporations, the Fund would be eligible to file an annual election with the IRS pursuant to which the Fund could pass-through to its shareholders on a pro rata basis foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund, which could be claimed, subject to certain limitations, either as a tax credit or deduction by shareholders. However, none of the Funds expects to qualify for this election.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATES. As of the date of this SAI, the maximum stated individual U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to (i) ordinary income generally is 35%; (ii) capital gain dividends is 15%; and (iii) long-term capital gains generally is 15%.
The current maximum stated corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income, capital gain dividends, and long-term capital gains generally is 35%. Actual marginal tax rates may be higher for some shareholders, for example, through reductions in deductions. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by any taxpayer will be affected by a combination of tax laws covering, for example, deductions, credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters. U.S. federal income tax rates are set to increase in future years under various "sunset" provisions of laws enacted in 2001 and 2003.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Trust may be required to withhold, subject to certain exemptions, at a rate of 28% ("backup withholding") on all distributions and redemption proceeds (including proceeds from exchanges and redemptions in-kind) paid or credited to a Fund shareholder, unless the shareholder generally certifies under penalties of perjury that the "taxpayer identification number" ("TIN"), generally the shareholder's social security or employer identification number, provided is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder's TIN is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding. This tax is not an additional U.S. federal income tax imposed on the shareholder, and the shareholder may claim the tax withheld as a tax payment on his or her federal income tax return, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. An investor must provide a valid TIN upon opening or reopening an account. If a shareholder fails to furnish a valid TIN upon request, the shareholder can also be subject to IRS penalties. The rate of backup withholding is set to increase in future years under "sunset" provisions of a law enacted in 2001.
TAX-DEFERRED PLANS. The shares of the Funds may be available for a variety of tax-deferred retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts, including IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plans ("SEP-IRAs"), Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees ("SIMPLE Plans"), Roth IRAs, and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. Prospective investors should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged plan or account.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. With respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008, certain distributions, if designated by a Fund as "interest-related dividends," that are generally attributable to the Fund's net interest income earned on certain debt obligations paid to a non-resident alien individual, foreign trust (I.E., a trust other than a trust which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of that trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control substantial decisions of that trust), foreign estate (I.E., the income of which is not subject to U.S. tax regardless of source) or a foreign corporation (each, a "foreign shareholder") generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax withholding tax, provided the Fund obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status from such foreign shareholder ("exempt foreign shareholder"). Each Fund may choose to designate any interest-related dividends in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year. Other distributions made to exempt foreign shareholders attributable to net investment income, such as dividends received by a Fund, generally will be subject to non-refundable U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a distribution described above is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment) of the recipient foreign shareholder, U.S. federal income tax withholding and exemptions attributable to foreign persons will not apply and the distribution will be subject to the tax, reporting and withholding requirements generally applicable to U.S. persons.
In general, a foreign shareholder's capital gains realized on the disposition of Fund shares, capital gain distributions and, with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008, "short-term capital gain distributions" (defined below) are not subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding, provided that the Fund obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status, unless: (i) such gains or distributions are "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment) of the foreign shareholder; (ii) in the case of an individual foreign shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met; or (iii) with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2005, and before January 1, 2008, such gains or distributions are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest. If such gains or distributions are "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business or are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the foreign shareholder pursuant to an income tax treaty, the tax, reporting and withholding requirements applicable to U.S. persons generally apply. If such gains or distributions are not "effectively connected" for this purpose, but the foreign shareholder meets the requirements of clause (ii) described above, such gains and distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Gains or distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests are
taxed to a foreign shareholder as if that gain were "effectively connected" with the shareholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, and therefore such gains or distributions may be required to be reported by a foreign shareholder on a U.S. federal income tax return. Such gains or distributions also will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. holders and/or may be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding. While the Funds do not expect Fund shares to constitute U.S. real property interests, a portion of a Fund's distributions may be attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests. Foreign shareholders should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of such distributions. "Short-term capital gain distributions" are certain distributions that a Fund may choose to designate as such in a written notice mailed by the Fund to its shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year generally attributable to the Fund's net short-term capital gain.
If a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the United States at the time of the shareholder's death, Fund shares will be deemed to be property situated in the United States and will be subject to U.S. federal estate taxes (at current graduated rates of 18% to 45% of the total value, less allowable deductions and credits). With respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2003, and before January 1, 2008, if a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the United States at the time of the shareholder's death, Fund shares will not be deemed to be property situated in the United States in the proportion that, at the end of the quarter of the Fund's taxable year immediately preceding the shareholder's date of death, the assets of the Fund that were "qualifying assets" (I.E., bank deposits, debt obligations or property not within the United States) with respect to the decedent bore to the total assets of the Fund. In general, no U.S. federal gift tax will be imposed on gifts of Fund shares made by foreign shareholders.
The availability of reduced U.S. taxes pursuant to the 1972 Convention or the applicable estate tax convention depends upon compliance with established procedures for claiming the benefits thereof, and may, under certain circumstances, depend upon the foreign shareholder making a satisfactory demonstration to U.S. tax authorities that the shareholder qualifies as a foreign person under U.S. federal income tax laws and the 1972 Convention.
Special rules apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships.
Capital Stock
As of the date of this SAI, the beneficial interests in the Trust are divided into transferable shares of eleven separate and distinct series authorized and established by the Board of Trustees. The number of shares of each series, and class thereof, is unlimited and each share has no par value. The Board of Trustees may, in the future, authorize the issuance of other series representing shares of additional investment portfolios or funds.
Although the Trust is not required to hold regular annual shareholder meetings, occasional annual or special meetings may be required for purposes such as electing and removing Trustees, approving advisory contracts, and changing a Fund's investment objective or fundamental investment policies.
VOTING. All shares of the Trust have equal voting rights and will be voted separately by individual series, except: (i) when required by the 1940 Act, shares will be voted in the aggregate and not by individual series; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one series, then the shareholders of all such affected series will be entitled to vote thereon in the aggregate and not by individual series. The Trustees also may determine that a matter affects only the interests of one or more classes of a series, in which case any such matter will be voted on separately by such class or classes. For example, a change in a Fund's fundamental investment policy would be voted upon only by shareholders of that Fund. Additionally, approval of a Master Portfolio's Advisory Contract is a matter to be determined separately by each Master Portfolio. Approval by the shareholders of a Fund is effective as to that Fund whether or not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other investment portfolios to approve the proposal as to those investment portfolios. As used in the Prospectuses of each Fund and in this SAI, the term "1940 Act majority," when referring to approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Fund, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The term "majority," when referring to the approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Trust as a whole, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the Trust's shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares.
Each share will entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each dollar (and each fractional dollar thereof) of NAV (number of shares owned times NAV per share) of shares outstanding in such holder's name on the books of the Trust. There shall be no cumulative
voting in the election of Trustees. For additional voting information and a
discussion of the possible effects of changes to a Master Portfolio's objective
or policies on a Fund, as an interestholder in the Master Portfolio, or the
Fund's shareholders, see "Master/
Feeder Structure" above.
The Trust may dispense with an annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which it is not required to elect Trustees under the 1940 Act. However, the Trust will hold a special meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of voting on the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees if requested in writing by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding voting securities, and to assist in communicating with other shareholders as required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportional interest in the Fund with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to the Fund as are declared in the discretion of the Trustees. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets attributable to the Fund that are available for distribution, and a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular investment portfolio that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights. All shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. MIP is an open-end, series management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on October 20, 1993. MIP's Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of MIP are not binding upon its Trustees individually but only upon the property of MIP and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's office.
The interests in each Master Portfolio of MIP have voting and other rights
generally corresponding to those rights enumerated above for shares of the
Funds. MIP also intends to dispense with annual meetings, but is required by
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act to hold a special meeting and assist investor
communications under the circumstances described above with respect to the
Trust. Whenever a Fund is requested to vote on a matter with respect to its
Master Portfolio, the Fund will follow its voting procedures, as described in
"Voting" above.
Additional Information on the Funds
The Trust provides annual and semi-annual reports to all shareholders. The
annual reports contain audited financial statements and other information about
the Funds, including additional information on performance. Shareholders may
obtain a copy of the Trust's most recent annual or semi-annual reports without
charge by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) or e-mailing the
Funds at BGICash@seic.com.
The registration statement, including the Prospectuses, this SAI and the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Statements contained in the Prospectuses or this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or in the Prospectuses 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, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectuses, this SAI and in the Trust's official sales literature in connection with the offer of the Funds' shares and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust. This SAI does not constitute an offer in any state in which, or to any person to whom, such offering may not lawfully be made.
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements, including the schedule of investments, financial highlights and independent registered public accounting firm's reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for each Fund and related Master Portfolio are hereby incorporated by reference to the Trust's annual report, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2007. The audited financial statements are attached to all SAIs delivered to shareholders or prospective shareholders.
Appendix
Description of certain ratings assigned by S&P, Moody's and Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"):
"AAA"
An obligor rated `AAA' has EXTREMELY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.
"AA"
An obligor rated `AA' has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest rated obligors only in small degree.
"A"
An obligor rated `A' has STRONG capacity to meets its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher rated categories.
"BBB"
An obligor rated `BBB' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"BB"
An obligor rated `BB' is LESS VULNERABLE in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligor rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE than the obligors rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments.
"CCC"
An obligor rated `CCC' is CURRENTLY VULNERABLE, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meets its financial commitments.
"CC"
An obligor rated `CC' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE.
Obligors rated `BB', `B', `CCC', and `CC' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. `BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and `CC' the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)
The ratings from `AA' to `CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligation on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
"PUBLIC INFORMATION RATINGS"
Ratings with a `pi' subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer's published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer's management and are therefore based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a `pi' subscript. Ratings with a `pi' subscript are reviewed annually based on each new year's financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer's credit quality.
Outlooks are not provided for ratings with a `pi' subscript, nor are they subject to potential CreditWatch listings. Ratings with a `pi' subscript generally are not modified with `+' or `-' designations. However, such designations may be assigned when the issuer's credit rating is constrained by sovereign risk or the credit quality of a parent company or affiliated group.
"A-1"
An obligor rated `A-1' has STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments is EXTREMELY STRONG.
"A-2"
An obligor rated `A-2' has SATISFACTORY capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
"A-3"
An obligor rated `A-3' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligation rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE to non-payment then obligations rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"C"
A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated `C' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE to non-payment. The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this
obligation are being continued. A `C' also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of S&P analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
"AAA"
Obligations rated `Aaa' are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
"AA"
Obligations rated `Aa' are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
"A"
Obligations rated `A' are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
"BAA"
Obligations rated `Baa' are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
"BA"
Obligations rated `Ba' are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
"B"
Obligations rated `B' are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
"CAA"
Obligations rated `Caa' are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
"CA"
Obligations rated `Ca' are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
"C"
Obligations rated `C' are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
NOTE: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
"P-1"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-1' have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-2"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-2' have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-3"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-3' have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
"NP"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Not Prime' do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch's long-term credit ratings represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt. The ratings take into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current financial condition and operative performance of the issuer and of any guarantor, as well as the political and economic environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
"AAA"
Highest credit quality. `AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
"AA"
Very high credit quality. `AA' ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
"A"
High credit quality. `A' ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
"BBB"
Good credit quality. `BBB' ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
"BB"
Speculative. `BB' ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
"B"
Highly speculative. `B' ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"CCC", "CC" AND "C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic development. A `CC' rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. `C' ratings signal imminent default.
"RD"
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due on 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.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the `AAA' long-term category, to categories below `CCC', or to short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
Fitch's short-term credit ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment notes.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
"F-1"
Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
"F-2"
Good credit quality. Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
"F-3"
Fair credit quality. Indicates the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
"B"
Speculative. Indicates minimal capacity for timely payments of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
"C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Indicates capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"D"
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
LIFEPATH(REG. TM) PORTFOLIOS
CLASS I SHARES
LIFEPATH(REG. TM) RETIREMENT
LIFEPATH 2010(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2020(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2030(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2040(REG. TM)
THE FIRST MUTUAL FUNDS DESIGNED TO OFFER INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS COMPREHENSIVE ASSET ALLOCATION STRATEGIES THAT ADJUST OVER TIME.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Overview .............. 1 Investment Objectives . 3 Summary of Principal 4 Investment Strategies Summary of Principal 5 Risk Factors Investment Returns .... 6 Fees and Expenses ..... 10 A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies ............ 12 A Further Discussion 19 of Principal Risk Factors Management of the 22 LifePath Portfolios Shareholder 24 Information Financial Highlights .. 30 Disclaimers ........... 35 |
Overview
INTRODUCTION
The LifePath Portfolios(1) are designed to offer individual investors comprehensive asset allocation strategies tailored to the time when they expect to begin withdrawing assets. Asset allocation is the distribution of investments among broad types of asset classes: equity securities, bonds and money market instruments. Each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the LifePath Portfolio. To implement the assets allocation strategy, each Master Portfolio, in turn, invests in a combination of equity securities, bond and money market funds (the "Underlying Funds") in proportions based on its own comprehensive investment strategy that gradually becomes more conservative as the year in the LifePath Portfolio's name approaches, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio, which is already in its most conservative phase. Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA") is the investment advisor to the Master Portfolios.
WHICH LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO TO CONSIDER
The first step in choosing which LifePath Portfolio to consider is answering a key question: When will you need the money you are thinking of investing? Will it be in 10 years, when your kids are ready for college? Or 30 years, when you retire?
The number in the name of most of the LifePath Portfolios is actually a year - a "target year" when you might expect to begin withdrawing your money. Selecting the LifePath Portfolio that may be most appropriate for your investment may be as simple as matching your target year with the closest LifePath Portfolio target year.
For example, let's say that you are investing for retirement purposes, and that you expect to retire at age 60. If you are 45 years old, you have 15 years before retirement. By adding 15 to the current year, you can define your "target year." If you expect to retire in the year 2022, as in this example, you may conclude that the LifePath 2020 Portfolio is the most appropriate LifePath Portfolio for you.
(1)For simplicity's sake, all discussion of investment objective, strategies and risks of a particular LifePath Portfolio refers also to the investment objective, strategies and risks of the Master Portfolio, unless otherwise indicated. A detailed description of the relationship of the LifePath Portfolios to their Master Portfolios appears under the heading "Master/Feeder Mutual Fund Structure" in this Prospectus.
LIFEPATH(Reg. TM) PORTFOLIOS HOW THEY WORK
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
NOTE: THE ABOVE CHART IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE ACTUAL ALLOCATION PERCENTAGES OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS.
The chart shows that over time, the investment mix of each LifePath Portfolio gradually shifts from a greater concentration of higher-risk investments (namely, equity securities funds) to a greater concentration of lower-risk investments (namely, bond and money market funds), thereby making the LifePath Portfolio increasingly conservative.
In making your investment decision, you should keep in mind:
[] Each LifePath Portfolio's investment strategy derives from the risk tolerance of average investors with a particular time horizon.
[] Each LifePath Portfolio's time horizon is based on the year in its name, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio that is designed for investors who are currently withdrawing, or plan in the near future to begin withdrawing, a substantial portion of their investment.
If you are willing to accept a greater risk of short-term loss in exchange for the potential to achieve higher long-term returns, you may invest some or all of your assets in a LifePath Portfolio with a longer time horizon. If you desire a more conservative investment and are willing to forego some potential returns, you may invest some or all of your assets in a LifePath Portfolio with a shorter time horizon. The final choice is yours.
Investment Objectives
Each LifePath Portfolio seeks to maximize return consistent with the quantitatively measured risk that investors on average may be willing to accept given their investment time horizon. An investor's time horizon marks the point when the investor plans to start making net withdrawals from his or her investments. As a general rule, investors with a longer time horizon have a greater tolerance for risk than investors with a shorter time horizon. Long-term investors are more likely to accept a greater risk of short-term loss in exchange for the potential to achieve higher long-term returns. Each LifePath Portfolio has its own time horizon, which affects the targeted risk level of the LifePath Portfolio and, in turn, its asset allocation.
SPECIFICALLY:
[] LifePath Retirement Portfolio is managed for investors seeking income and moderate long-term growth of capital.
[] LifePath 2010 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2010.
[] LifePath 2020 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2020.
[] LifePath 2030 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2030.
[] LifePath 2040 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2040.
Each LifePath Portfolio's investment objective may be changed by the LifePath Portfolio's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
Summary of Principal Investment Strategies
Each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a corresponding Master Portfolio which allocates and reallocates its assets among the Underlying Funds. The Master Portfolios with longer time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in equity securities, which provide a greater opportunity for capital appreciation over the long-term but have a greater risk of short-term loss. The Master Portfolios with shorter time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in bonds and money market instruments, which typically offer reduced risk and price volatility but forego some potential returns. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, the LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons have lower expected returns than the LifePath Portfolios with longer time horizons.
[] LifePath Retirement Portfolio is designed for investors seeking income and moderate long-term growth of capital. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath Retirement Portfolio held approximately 38% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 62% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1)
[] LifePath 2010 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2010. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2010 Portfolio held approximately 46% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 54% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2020 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2020. As of March 31, 2007, LifePath 2020 Portfolio held approximately 65% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 35% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2030 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2030. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2030 Portfolio held approximately 80% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 20% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2040 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2040. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2040 Portfolio held approximately 92% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 8% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
Summary of Principal Risk Factors
As with any investment, your investment in the LifePath Portfolios could lose money or the Portfolios' performance could trail that of other investments.
EACH LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO HAS A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF RISK.
The value of your investment is subject to equity securities market risk, which means the price of the equity securities in which the Underlying Funds invest may fluctuate or fall in response to economic events or trends.
The value of your investment is also subject to bond investment risks, including interest rate risk, which means that the prices of bonds in which the Underlying Funds invest may fall because of a rise in interest rates; credit risk, which is the risk that the price of an individual bond may fall with the decline in an issuer's real or apparent ability to meet its financial obligations; extension risk, which is the risk that borrowers may extend the prepayment of their mortgages or loans for longer periods than expected, thereby affecting the security's average life and, potentially, its yield; and prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages or loans faster than expected, thereby affecting the security's average life and potentially its yield.
Investments in foreign securities by the Underlying Funds are subject to certain special risks and considerations, including potentially less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities traded in the U.S. markets.
The allocation of each LifePath Portfolio's assets is managed using a quantitative model that has been developed based on a number of factors. Neither the LifePath Portfolios nor BGFA, the investment adviser to the Master Portfolios, can offer any assurance that the recommended asset allocation will either maximize returns or minimize risk or be the appropriate allocation in all circumstances for every investor with a particular time horizon.
The LifePath Portfolios must maintain cash balances to meet redemption requests, which may lower overall Portfolio performance.
An investment in a LifePath Portfolio is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of investing in the LifePath Portfolios by showing the changes in their performance from year to year. The bar charts show the returns for Class I of each LifePath Portfolio for each of the last 10 calendar years. The average annual total return table compares the average annual total returns (before and after taxes) of Class I of each LifePath Portfolio to those of a corresponding index for various periods of time. Effective March 15, 2004, the returns for each LifePath Portfolio reflect its Master Portfolio's investment in Underlying Funds. For all periods prior to March 15, 2004, the returns for each LifePath Portfolio reflect the direct investment by its Master Portfolio in a portfolio of securities and also reflect the LifePath Portfolios' investment in accordance with a model that included "tactical," or short-term, shifts in allocation between stocks and bonds. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, BGFA made certain changes to its asset allocation strategies for the LifePath Portfolios, including a change to the frequency with which the LifePath Portfolios' respective holdings were rebalanced among asset classes from monthly to quarterly.
How the LifePath Portfolios performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO - CLASS I
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 10.71% 1998 10.49% 1999 4.85% 2000 4.73% 2001 3.60% 2002 -2.70% 2003 11.95% 2004 6.35% 2005 4.32% 2006 8.80% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 7.22% in the 2nd quarter of 2003; the worst was -4.24% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 16.60% 1998 16.04% 1999 9.48% 2000 0.71% 2001 -0.75% 2002 -8.32% 2003 15.66% 2004 7.38% 2005 5.20% 2006 10.15% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 10.12% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -8.38% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 21.21% 1998 19.97% 1999 14.12% 2000 -3.74% 2001 -6.42% 2002 -12.59% 2003 20.61% 2004 9.27% 2005 6.54% 2006 13.01% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 14.61% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -11.53% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 24.50% 1998 22.72% 1999 16.85% 2000 -5.65% 2001 -9.94% 2002 -15.73% 2003 23.86% 2004 10.78% 2005 7.63% 2006 15.12% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 18.02% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -13.69% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 26.85% 1998 25.58% 1999 21.38% 2000 -9.71% 2001 -13.41% 2002 -18.73% 2003 27.64% 2004 11.43% 2005 8.24% 2006 16.97 % |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 21.72% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -15.79% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
CLASS I SHARES(1)
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ---------- --------- --------- LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 8.80% 5.63% 6.23% Return After Taxes on 7.34% 4.48% 4.53% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 6.17% 4.25% 4.44% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath Retirement 9.46% 6.78% 7.22% Portfolio Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 10.15% 5.72% 6.93% Return After Taxes on 8.74% 4.82% 5.33% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 7.13% 4.49% 5.21% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2010 Portfolio 10.91% 6.94% 7.79% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 13.01% 6.76% 7.56% Return After Taxes on 12.28% 6.21% 6.36% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 8.65% 5.54% 6.00% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2020 Portfolio 13.84% 7.67% 8.16% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 15.12% 7.46% 8.07% Return After Taxes on 14.06% 6.69% 6.72% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 10.61% 6.16% 6.50% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2030 Portfolio 16.07% 8.26% 8.40% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 16.97% 7.91% 8.26% Return After Taxes on 16.59% 7.64% 7.27% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 11.33% 6.75% 6.86% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2040 Portfolio 17.99% 8.58% 8.67% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) S&P 1500 Index(4) 15.34% 6.79% 8.84% Lehman Brothers U.S. 4.33% 5 .06% 6.24% Aggregate Index(4) MSCI EAFE Index(4) 26.34% 14.98% 7.71% Citigroup 3-Month 4.76% 2.35% 3.67% Treasury Bill Index(4) |
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class I Shares of a LifePath Portfolio. The expenses are deducted from each LifePath Portfolio's assets, which means you pay them indirectly. This table does not reflect charges that may be imposed in connection with an account in which you hold the shares. A broker-dealer or financial institution maintaining the account in which you hold shares may charge a separate account, service or transaction fee on the purchase or sale of Class I Shares that would be in addition to the fees and expenses shown here.
The total annual operating expense ratios in the table and the example on the next page reflect the expenses of the Class I Shares of each LifePath Portfolio and its corresponding Master Portfolio and also reflect a weighted average of the total operating expense ratios of the Underlying Funds in which each Master Portfolio invests.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% Other expenses 0.52% 0.51% 0.51% 0.51% 0.51% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Acquired fund fees and 0.33% 0.33% 0.34% 0.34% 0.34% expenses (Underlying Funds)(3) Total annual class 1.20% 1.19% 1.20% 1.20% 1.20% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.35)% (0.34)% (0.34)% (0.34)% (0.34)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 0.85% 0.85% 0.86% 0.86% 0.86% |
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Class I Shares of the LifePath Portfolios with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Class I Shares of each LifePath Portfolio over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- LifePath Retirement $87 $310 $590 $1391 Portfolio LifePath 2010 Portfolio $87 $309 $587 $1381 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $88 $312 $592 $1392 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $88 $312 $592 $1392 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $88 $312 $592 $1392 |
A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies
INTRODUCTION
Each LifePath Portfolio pursues a common strategy of allocating and reallocating
its assets among the Underlying Funds. The LifePath Portfolios with longer time
horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that
invest in equity securities, which provide a greater potential to achieve higher
returns over the long-term but have a greater risk of short-term loss. In
addition to investing in Underlying Funds, each LifePath Portfolio may borrow,
lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions,
and may invest the collateral in certain high-quality money-market instruments
and U.S. government obligations, as described in greater detail in the LifePath
Portfolios' combined Statement of Additional Information ("SAI").
The LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in bonds and money market instruments, which typically offer reduced risk and price volatility but forego some potential returns. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, the LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons have lower expected returns than the LifePath Portfolios with longer time horizons. As each LifePath Portfolio approaches its designated time horizon, it systematically seeks to reduce the level of risk by allocating assets more conservatively among the Underlying Funds. This systematic shift toward more conservative investments is designed to reduce the risk of significant reductions in the value of an investment in a LifePath Portfolio as it approaches its time horizon.
For example, the LifePath Retirement Portfolio has entered its "retirement phase" and seeks to maximize returns consistent with the risk that an average investor in retirement may be willing to accept. This does not mean, however, that it invests exclusively in Underlying Funds that are money market funds. Rather, because BGFA, the LifePath Portfolios' investment adviser, believes that most investors are still willing to take some risks in pursuing returns even while drawing on their investments, a portion of the LifePath Retirement Portfolio's assets will continue to be allocated to Underlying Funds that are equity and bond funds, in addition to Underlying Funds that are money market funds.
In determining the allocation of assets to the Underlying Funds, BGFA uses a proprietary investment model that analyzes securities market data, including risk, asset class correlations, and expected returns, to provide portfolio allocations among the asset classes represented by the Underlying Funds. The allocations are periodically monitored and rebalanced in an effort to maximize expected return for a given level of risk. In managing the LifePath Portfolios, BGFA focuses on long-term targets and objectives. The progression over time of a LifePath Portfolio's asset allocation to more conservative asset classes is a relatively steady process resulting in only gradual changes to the asset allocation from quarter to quarter. The Underlying Funds invest in a mix of equity securities, bonds and money market instruments. Certain Underlying Funds invest in real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), foreign securities, emerging markets, below investment-grade bonds and derivatives, which are subject to additional risks, as described in the "Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors" section of this Prospectus. The investment model adjusts each LifePath Portfolio's risk level by gradually making it more conservative as the year in the LifePath Portfolio's name approaches, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio, which is already in its most conservative phase.
THE UNDERLYING FUNDS
Two of the Underlying Funds - the Active Stock Master Portfolio and the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio (collectively, the "Underlying Master Portfolios") - are diversified portfolios of Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"). The Active Stock Master Portfolio seeks to provide long-term appreciation of capital. BGFA invests the Active Stock Master Portfolio's assets using a proprietary quantitative model that is designed to select stocks based on an analysis of a wide range of company-specific factors. The CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio seeks to provide a combination of income and capital growth. BGFA invests the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio's assets pursuant to a systematic method that relies on
proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets among various bond sectors by evaluating each sector's relative value and risk-adjusted return.
The remaining Underlying Funds, other than the Barclays Global Investors Funds ("BGIF") Institutional Money Market Fund (the "Underlying Money Market Fund"), are exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that are part of the iShares family of funds ("Underlying iShares Funds"). Each of the Underlying iShares Funds seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. As a result, adverse performance of a particular security in an Underlying iShares Fund's portfolio will ordinarily not result in the elimination of the security from the Underlying iShares Fund's portfolio. Each Underlying iShares Fund offers and issues iShares at their net asset value per share only to certain institutional investors in aggregations of a specified number of iShares (each, a "Creation Unit"), generally in exchange for a basket of securities included in its Underlying Index (the "Deposit Securities"), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment. The iShares for these Underlying iShares Funds are listed and traded on national securities exchanges and also may be listed on certain non-U.S. exchanges. BGFA purchases iShares on behalf of the LifePath Master Portfolios in the secondary market.
The relative weightings for each LifePath Master Portfolio in the various Underlying Funds will vary over time, and BGFA is not required to invest any Master Portfolio's assets in each of the Underlying Funds or in any particular percentage. BGFA may add, eliminate or replace Underlying Funds at any time.
Each LifePath Master Portfolio currently expects to invest in some or all of the Underlying Funds described below.
ACTIVE STOCK MASTER PORTFOLIO
Seeks to provide long-term appreciation of capital. The Active Stock Master Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in common stocks. The Active Stock Master Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with capitalizations similar to the range of capitalizations represented in the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index. BGFA invests the Active Stock Master Portfolio's assets using a proprietary quantitative model that is designed to select stocks based on an analysis of a wide range of company-specific factors, such as relative values based on earnings and cash flows; earnings quality as measured by the company's financial condition and earnings reports; sentiment as expressed through management and market participant behavior; and industry classification. BGFA considers risk parameters in deciding upon the Active Stock Master Portfolio's aggregate holdings, and factors trading costs into its stock selection process.
COREALPHA BOND MASTER PORTFOLIO
Seeks to provide a combination of income and capital growth. BGFA invests the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio's assets pursuant to a systematic method that relies on proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets among various bond sectors by evaluating each sector's relative value and risk-adjusted return. BGFA's models also allocate assets among bonds of different maturities based on yield characteristics and expectations. Specific investment selection decisions are made on the basis of evaluations of relative value, credit quality and other factors. The CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in bonds. For the purposes of this strategy, "bonds" include the following: obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities, including U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities; commercial mortgage-backed securities; debt obligations of U.S. corporations; dollar-denominated debt obligations of foreign issuers; municipal securities; and asset-backed securities. The Master Portfolio invests a substantial portion of its assets in U.S.-registered, dollar-denominated bonds. The Master Portfolio may invest in bonds of any maturity or duration.
BGIF INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
Seeks a high level of income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. The Fund invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that include fixed rate, floating rate and variable rate debt securities. The Fund also may invest in high-quality, short-term U.S. and foreign government debt, including the debt of agencies and
instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Student Loan Marketing Association, U.S. and foreign bank obligations, corporate obligations, repurchase agreements, and asset-backed securities.
UNDERLYING ISHARES FUNDS
In managing each of the Underlying iShares Funds, BGFA uses one of two basic indexing strategies, replication or representative sampling. Replication is investing in substantially all of the securities in the relevant underlying index in approximately the same proportions as the index. Representative sampling is investing in a representative sample of securities in the underlying index, which have a similar investment profile as the index. Securities selected under a representative sampling strategy have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the applicable underlying index. Underlying iShares Funds that use representative sampling generally do not hold all of the securities that are included in the relevant underlying index.
ISHARES S&P 500 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The component stocks in the S&P 500 Index are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.
ISHARES S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The S&P MidCap 400 Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index have a market capitalization between $1 billion and $4 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets) and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.
ISHARES S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index measures the performance of the small capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The stocks in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index have a market capitalization between $300 million and $1 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets) and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.
ISHARES RUSSELL MIDCAP INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap(Reg. TM) Index. The Russell Midcap(Reg. TM) Index is a capitalization-weighted index consisting of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(Reg. TM) Index.
ISHARES RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index. The Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index measures the performance of the small capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index is a capitalization-weighted index of the approximately 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000(Reg. TM) Index.
ISHARES COHEN & STEERS REALTY MAJORS INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index (the "Cohen & Steers Index"). The Cohen & Steers Index consists of selected REITs. The objective of the Cohen & Steers Index is to represent relatively large and liquid REITs that may benefit from
future consolidation and securitization of the U.S. real estate industry. REITs are selected for inclusion in the Cohen & Steers Index based on a rigorous review of several factors, including management, portfolio quality, and sector and geographic diversification. The REITs selected for inclusion in the Cohen & Steers Index must meet minimum market capitalization and liquidity requirements. The Cohen & Steers Index is weighted according to the total market value of each REIT's outstanding shares and is adjusted quarterly so that no REIT represents more than 8% of the Cohen & Steers Index.
ISHARES MSCI CANADA INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Canadian market, as represented by the MSCI Canada Index. The MSCI Canada Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
ISHARES MSCI EAFE INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index has been developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc. ("MSCI") as an equity benchmark for international stock performance. The MSCI EAFE Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was developed by MSCI as an equity benchmark for international stock performance. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of March 31, 2007, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index consisted of the following 25 emerging market country indexes: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey; emerging market country indexes may be added to or deleted from MSCI Emerging Markets Index from time to time. In order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of other iShares Funds that seek to track the performance of equity securities in constituent countries of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. BGFA will not charge portfolio management fees on that portion of the Fund's assets invested in shares of other iShares Funds.
ISHARES LEHMAN 1-3 YEAR CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 1-3 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the short-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 3-7 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the intermediate-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to three years and less than seven years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 7-10 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the intermediate-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to seven years and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 10-20 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the long-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years and less than 20 years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 20+ YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the long-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of 20 or more years.
ISHARES LEHMAN AGGREGATE BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the total United States investment grade bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (the "Lehman Brothers Index"). The Lehman Brothers Index measures the performance of the U.S. investment grade bond market, which includes investment grade U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, mortgage pass-through securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities that are publicly offered for sale in the United States. The securities in the Lehman Brothers Index must have $250 million or more of outstanding face value and must have at least one year remaining to maturity. In addition, the securities must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed rate and non-convertible. Certain types of securities, such as state and local government series bonds, structured notes with embedded swaps or other special features, private placements, floating rate securities and Eurobonds are excluded from the Lehman Brothers Index. The Lehman Brothers Index is market capitalization weighted and the securities in the Lehman Brothers Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.
ISHARES LEHMAN CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar-denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year.
ISHARES LEHMAN GOVERNMENT/CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the U.S. government and investment grade U.S. corporate securities of the U.S. bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index measures the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related (I.E., U.S. and foreign agencies, sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year.
ISHARES LEHMAN INTERMEDIATE CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT/CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the U.S. government and investment grade U.S. corporate securities of the U.S. bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index measures the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related (I.E., U.S. and foreign agencies, sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN MBS FIXED-RATE BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade agency mortgage-backed securities sector of the United States as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index measures the performance of investment grade fixed-rate mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), FNMA and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC").
ISHARES LEHMAN SHORT TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the short-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of between one and 12 months.
ISHARES LEHMAN TIPS BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the inflation-protected sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index measures the performance of the inflation-protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as "TIPS."
The following table lists the Underlying Funds and the asset allocation for each Master Portfolio as of March 31, 2007. BGFA allocates the Master Portfolio's assets among the Underlying Funds based on the Master Portfolio's investment objective and policies. The asset allocation for each Master Portfolio will vary over time, and BGFA is not required to invest any Master Portfolio's assets in each of the Underlying Funds or in any particular percentage. BGFA may add, eliminate or replace Underlying Funds at any time.
UNDERLYING FUNDS
(as of March 31, 2007)
LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- CAPITAL GROWTH Master Investment 19.09% 23.50% 35.04% 43.68% 50.77% Portfolio-Active Stock Master Portfolio iShares S&P MidCap 400 3.71% 4.34% 5.51% 6.46% 7.22% Index Fund iShares S&P SmallCap 600 1.96% 2.30% 2.99% 3.39% 3.73% Index Fund iShares MSCI EAFE Index 10.47% 12.42% 17.48% 21.17% 24.31% Fund iShares Cohen & Steers 2.58% 3.02% 4.33% 5.22% 6.00% Realty Majors Index Fund CAPITAL GROWTH AND INCOME Master Investment 52.04% 45.83% 29.25% 17.12% 7.77% Portfolio-CoreAlpha Bon d Master Portfolio iShares Lehman TIPS Bond 9.86% 8.39% 5.20% 2.76% 0.00% Fund BGIF Institutional Money 0.29% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% Market Fund |
"Standard & Poor's(Reg. TM)," "S&P(Reg. TM)," "S&P 500(Reg. TM)," "Standard & Poor's 500," "S&P 500 Index," "S&P MidCap 400 Index," "S&P SmallCap 600 Index," "S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index," "Standard & Poor's 500/Citigroup Growth Index," "S&P 500/Citigroup Value Index," "Standard & Poor's 500/Citigroup Value Index," "S&P MidCap 400/Citigroup Growth Index," "S&P MidCap 400/Citigroup Value Index," "S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Growth Index" and "S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index," are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and Citigroup, Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI"). The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund that are based on S&P Indexes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's, and Standard & Poor's makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"Cohen & Steers" is a trademark and "Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index(Reg. TM)" is a registered trademark of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. ("Cohen & Steers"), and both such trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers, and Cohen & Steers makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"Lehman Brothers," "Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index," "Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index," and the "Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index" are trademarks of Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("Lehman Brothers") and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund, Shares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Intermediate Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate Bond Fund, iShares Short Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund are not sponsored or endorsed by Lehman Brothers, and neither Lehman Brothers nor any of its affiliates makes any representations regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"MSCI Canada Index," "MSCI EAFE Index" and the "MSCI Emerging Markets Index" are servicemarks of MSCI and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
A Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors
In addition to the principal risks of investing described in the Summary of Principal Risk Factors, the LifePath Portfolios have the following risks:
GENERAL
The net asset value of each LifePath Portfolio's shares ("NAV") is neither insured nor guaranteed, is not fixed and will fluctuate.
GENERAL RISKS APPLICABLE TO THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS
EQUITY SECURITIES MARKET RISK
The risks of investing in the equity securities market include both short-term and prolonged price declines. The value of an equity security may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the markets. Equity securities may underperform fixed income investments and securities market indexes that track other markets, segments and sectors. Equity securities of mid- to small-cap companies tend to present greater risks than equity securities of large-cap companies because they are generally more volatile and can be less liquid.
BOND INVESTMENT RISK
The risks of fixed income investing include short-term and prolonged price declines because of a rise in interest rates, issuer quality considerations and other economic considerations; however, such price declines in the bond market have historically been less severe than stock declines.
CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is the risk that issuers or guarantors of debt instruments or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or loan of portfolio securities is unable or unwilling to make timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. U.S. Treasury bonds have minimal credit risk because they are backed by the U.S. government's full faith and credit. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the FNMA, the FHLMC and the Federal Home Loan Banks are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. Additionally, corporate bonds are subject to greater credit risk than U.S. government bonds and high yield bonds are subject to greater credit risk than higher quality bonds.
INTEREST-RATE RISK
Interest-rate risk is the risk that bond prices will decline over short or even long periods due to rising market interest rates. All bonds, including those issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, are subject to interest-rate risk. Their prices tend to move in the opposite direction from market interest rate movements. When interest rates go up, bond prices tend to fall; when rates fall, prices tend to rise. Bonds with longer maturities are affected more by interest rate movements than bonds with shorter maturities, bonds with interest rate reset provisions, notes or money market instruments. If prices throughout the economy were to decline over time, resulting in "deflation," the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds held by the Underlying Fund would likely decline in price, which would result in losses for the Underlying Fund. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in or instruments backed by a pool of loans secured by mortgages and asset-backed securities represent interests in or instruments backed by a pool of loans secured by other assets. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are also subject to prepayment risk and extension risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of mortgages and other securities may be able to repay principal prior to the security's maturity causing the Underlying Fund to have to
reinvest in securities with a lower yield. Extension risk is the risk that when interest rates rise, certain mortgage-backed securities will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. Both prepayment risk and extension risk may result in a decline to the Underlying Funds' income.
HIGH YIELD SECURITIES RISK
Bonds that are in low or below investment-grade rating categories, or are unrated at the time of purchase (sometimes referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield securities) have a greater risk of default and are more volatile than higher-rated securities of similar maturity. The value of these securities is affected by overall economic conditions, interest rates, and the creditworthiness of the individual issuers. Additionally, these lower-rated or unrated bonds may be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT RISKS
Investments in foreign securities are subject to certain risks, including potentially less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities traded in the U.S. markets. These risks are related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments, and the general risk that foreign markets can and often do perform differently than U.S. markets. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation (and possibly confiscatory taxation), thereby reducing their earnings potential, and amounts realized on the sale foreign securities may be subject to high levels of foreign taxation (and possibly confiscatory taxation).
Investment in foreign securities may be made by an Underlying Fund directly or through investments in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and other similar investments. ADRs are receipts for shares of foreign stocks held on deposit in U.S. banks or banks of major European countries. The receipts trade on the U.S. or local European stock markets as would normal stocks, entitling their owners to the dividends and capital gains earned by the real shares stored in bank vaults. Direct investment in foreign securities involves exposure to additional risks, including those related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, withholding and other taxes, trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks, and the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets. ADRs reduce some of the risks of foreign investing, because a large, liquid market generally exists and U.S. trading and settlement practices reduce currency, custodial and other operational risks. Similar investments (European and Global Depositary Receipts) are receipts for stock deposited in foreign bank and trust companies, trade across foreign and domestic markets, and can involve different or greater risks than ADRs.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
Some foreign markets are considered to be emerging markets. Investment in these emerging markets is subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, greater risk of market shut down and more governmental limitations on foreign investment policy than those typically found in a developed market.
MODEL RISK
Although the quantitative model used to manage the Master Portfolios' assets has been developed and refined over many years, neither the Master Portfolios nor BGFA can offer any assurance that the recommended allocation will either maximize returns or minimize risks. Nor can the Master Portfolios or BGFA offer assurance that a recommended allocation will be the appropriate allocation in all circumstances for every investor with a particular time horizon.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT RISK
Investment in equity securities in the real estate sector is subject to many of the same risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as adverse changes in national, state or local real estate conditions (resulting from, for example oversupply of or reduced demand for space and changes in market rental rates); obsolescence of properties; changes in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage funds; and the impact of tax, environmental, and other laws.
DERIVATIVES
Derivatives include, among other instruments, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options that may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter ("OTC"), indexed and inverse floating rate securities, and total return and credit default swaps. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived, at least in part, from the prices of other securities or specified assets, indexes or rates. Some derivatives may be more sensitive than direct securities to changes in interest rates or sudden market moves. Some derivatives also may be susceptible to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
SECURITY SELECTION RISK
Because BGFA does not select individual companies in the underlying indexes for the Underlying iShares Funds, those Underlying iShares Funds may hold stocks in companies that present risks that an investment adviser researching individual stocks might seek to avoid. For each of Active Stock Master Portfolio and CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio, BGFA bases security selection on its analysis of securities and therefore is subject to the risk that poor security selection will result in underperformance of the Master Portfolio in comparison with other investment vehicles with similar investment objectives and strategies.
CONCENTRATION RISK
If an underlying index of an Underlying iShares Fund concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, that Underlying iShares Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities and be subject to price volatility. In addition, an Underlying Fund that concentrates in a single industry or group of industries may be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence.
MARKET TRADING RISKS
The Underlying iShares Funds are subject to certain additional risks due to their shares being listed and traded on securities exchanges. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for these particular ETFs will develop or be maintained. Trading in ETFs may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the listing exchange, make trading in ETFs inadvisable. In addition, trading in ETFs is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to "circuit breaker" rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of ETFs will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. An ETF may trade at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of an ETF will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its holdings. The trading price of an ETF will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.
TRACKING ERROR RISK
Since an Underlying iShares Fund seeks to track an index, factors such as the fees and expenses of an Underlying iShares Fund, rounding of prices, and changes to an index and regulatory policies, may affect the adviser's ability to achieve close correlation with an index. Therefore, the return of an Underlying iShares Fund that seeks to track an index may deviate from that of the index.
FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THEIR CORRESPONDING MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' SAI.
Management of the LifePath Portfolios
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each LifePath Portfolio is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a
Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective,
strategies and policies as the LifePath Portfolio. The Master Portfolios, in
turn, invest in a combination of the Underlying Funds. BGFA, a registered
investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio, and
also serves as investment adviser to each Underlying Fund, with the exception of
the Underlying Money Market Fund, which invests in a Master Portfolio advised by
BGFA. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides
the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in
connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the
Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios,
BGFA is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee of 0.35% of each Master
Portfolio's average daily net assets.
For its services to the Underlying Funds, BGFA receives fees that differ from the fees described for the LifePath Portfolios in this prospectus. BGFA provides investment advisory services for the Underlying Funds that differ from the investment advisory services it provides for the LifePath Master Portfolios. For those services, BGFA receives investment advisory fees from the Underlying Funds. In addition, BGI provides administration services to certain of the Underlying Funds, and, for those services, may receive administration fees from those Underlying Funds. BGFA has contractually agreed to waive investment advisory fees at the LifePath Master Portfolio level in an amount equal to advisory and administration fees, if any, paid by the Underlying Funds to BGFA and BGI, respectively, through April 30, 2009.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each LifePath Portfolio's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Dagmar Nikles, Leslie Gambon and Jim Chan (the "Portfolio Managers") are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios. Each Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of their team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategy, researching and reviewing investment strategy, and overseeing members of his or her portfolio management team with more limited responsibilities, but each Portfolio Manager has appropriate limitations on his or her authority for risk management and compliance purposes.
Ms. Nikles is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since June 2005. Ms. Nikles has been a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team since July 2003. Prior to joining BGI, Ms. Nikles received her Financial Risk Manager Certification and prior to that, Ms. Nikles was an assistant portfolio manager and analyst at Zurich Scudder Investment from 2000 to 2002.
Ms. Gambon is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since May 2007. Ms. Gambon has been a member of the
asset allocation portfolio management team since April 2007. Prior to becoming a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team, Ms. Gambon was an Active Equity Product Manager with BGI from 2001 to 2004 and in October 2004 became Head of Portfolio Management Process at BGI.
Mr. Chan is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since May 2007. Mr. Chan has been a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team since February 2006. Prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager, Mr. Chan was a Research Analyst with BGI Americas Institutional Business from 2004 to 2006. From August 2003 through August 2005, Mr. Chan was an MBA candidate at the University of San Francisco. From December 2000 through July 2003, Mr. Chan was an engineer with Munters Proprietary Limited.
The LifePath Portfolio's SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers' ownership of shares in the LifePath Portfolios that invest in the Master Portfolios for which they are Portfolio Managers.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the LifePath Portfolios' Administrator:
[] Supervise the LifePath Portfolios' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Class I Shares of each LifePath Portfolio. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the LifePath Portfolios, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the LifePath Portfolios' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus LifePath Portfolio accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the LifePath Portfolios for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of LifePath Portfolio shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus LifePath Portfolio accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the LifePath Portfolios, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the LifePath Portfolios' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the LifePath Portfolios' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of LifePath Portfolio shares.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase LifePath Portfolio Class I Shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an IRA;
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the LifePath Portfolios' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the LifePath Portfolios' Shareholder Servicing Agents; or
[] Initially invest a minimum of $1 million directly through IBT (in certain situations this minimum initial investment may be reduced or waived; please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT for more information).
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Class I Shares that differ from those of the LifePath Portfolios, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another 401(k) plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with IBT or your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may buy LifePath Portfolio shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any day the LifePath Portfolios are open (a "Business Day") to purchase shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day. The LifePath Portfolios are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and any day on which the NYSE is closed for regular trading.
Each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the LifePath Portfolio has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
[] DIRECT BUYER. See the "Special Instructions for Direct Buyers" section of this Prospectus.
You may sell LifePath Portfolio shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day.
The LifePath Portfolios generally remit the proceeds from a sale the next Business Day after receiving a properly executed order to sell and no longer than seven business days after the sale. Each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to suspend your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds up to seven days, as permitted under applicable law. Each LifePath Portfolio further reserves the right to automatically redeem your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds, which would reflect the NAV on the day the LifePath Portfolio automatically redeems your shares. For example, a LifePath Portfolio may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse the LifePath Portfolio for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for your benefit that is applicable to the LifePath Portfolio's shares as provided from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its corresponding Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIRECT BUYERS
A direct buyer who has established an account with a LifePath Portfolio can add to or redeem from that account by wire instructions, by phone or through the mail.
[] To invest by wire, check that option on your account application when you open your account. If you already have an account, please call IBT at 1-888-204-3956 to receive a bank-wire application.
You should instruct your bank to wire funds as follows:
Investors Bank & Trust Company
ABA # 011001438
Attn: Transfer Agent
Account # DDA 555555535
For Further Credit to: Barclays Global Investors Funds
Shareholder Account Name:
Shareholder Account Number:
LifePath Portfolio Share Class Numbers: 1002 (LifePath Retirement Portfolio
- Class I) 1012 (LifePath 2010 Portfolio - Class I) 1022 (LifePath 2020
Portfolio - Class I) 1032 (LifePath 2030 Portfolio - Class I) 1042
(LifePath 2040 Portfolio - Class I)
[] To invest by mail, make your check payable to the LifePath Portfolio of your choice and mail it to Investors Bank & Trust Company, P.O. Box 642, Boston, MA 02117-0642. Please include the LifePath Portfolio's Share Class number and your account number on your check. You will find the numbers on your monthly statements.
[] To redeem shares by phone, call 1-888-204-3956 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Eastern Time on any Business Day. IBT will employ procedures designed to
confirm that your order is valid. These may include asking for identifying
information and recording the phone call. Neither IBT nor the LifePath
Portfolios may be held liable for acting on telephone instructions that IBT
reasonably believes to be valid. IBT will wire proceeds directly to your
designated bank account.(1)
[] To redeem shares by mail, indicate the dollar amount you wish to receive or the number of shares you wish to sell in your order to sell. Include your LifePath Portfolio's Share Class number and your account and taxpayer identification numbers. All account signatories must sign the order.
[] A direct buyer can ask IBT to wire proceeds directly to its designated bank account.(2)
[] When a direct buyer purchases LifePath Portfolio shares and then quickly sells (E.G., sells before clearance of the purchase check), the LifePath Portfolio may delay the payment of proceeds up to ten days to ensure that purchase checks have cleared.
CALCULATING THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' SHARE PRICE
Each LifePath Portfolio's share price (also known as a LifePath Portfolio's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the LifePath Portfolio (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the LifePath Portfolio, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each LifePath Portfolio's NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day. If the NYSE closes early, the time for calculating each LifePath Portfolio's NAV and the deadline for share transactions will be accelerated to the earlier closing time. The NAV of each LifePath Portfolio is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the LifePath Portfolio invests. The LifePath Portfolios' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments, including a description of the circumstances in which the Master Portfolios' investments would be valued using fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTIONS
The LifePath Portfolios distribute their net investment income to shareholders quarterly. The LifePath Portfolios distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you will be automatically reinvested in additional Class I shares of your LifePath Portfolio, unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
FREQUENT TRADING IN LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
Each LifePath Portfolio invests only in interests of its Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the LifePath Portfolios have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing.
The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing activity because the Master Portfolios' holdings are valued as of the same time that the net asset value of the Master Portfolios is calculated (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), which eliminates the potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Master Portfolios' holdings and the reflection of that change in the Master Portfolios' respective net asset values. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the Master Portfolios are aggregated, and the process of aggregation is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the Master Portfolios' investment strategies.
The LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the LifePath Portfolios in light of the nature of the LifePath Portfolios' investment in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, as described in the preceding paragraphs, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI's ability to monitor trades that are placed by participants in plans that are shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios or other shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios that are trading through omnibus accounts maintained by intermediaries has been severely limited because BGI has not been receiving transaction information showing individual investment decisions. Upon request by the LifePath Portfolios, intermediaries are required to provide certain transaction information that may enable the LifePath Portfolios to identify trading activity that is potentially harmful to the LifePath
Portfolios. The LifePath Portfolios may, but do not have the obligation to,
respond to any potentially harmful trading activity that is identified. In the
event any potentially harmful trading activity is identified, responses may
include the imposition of trading restrictions, the rejection of purchases, or
such other steps the LifePath Portfolios determine are appropriate.
Intermediaries' ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of their
clients may, however, be affected by legal or technological limitations.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the LifePath Portfolios and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your LifePath Portfolio's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional LifePath Portfolio shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and on your tax rate and the amount and character of the LifePath Portfolio's distributions to you. Normally, distributions are taxable to you when paid. However, when distributions are declared in the last three months of a year and paid in January of the next year, they are as if paid on December 31 of the prior year.
Distributions from the LifePath Portfolios generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- Qualified dividend Qualified dividend income(1)(2) income Other income ............ Ordinary income(2) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(3) |
In addition, if you sell your LifePath Portfolio shares you generally will have a taxable capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell. In certain circumstances, a loss on the sale may be disallowed.
TRANSACTION TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- You sell shares owned Long-term capital gain or loss for more than one year You sell shares owned Short-term capital gain or loss for one year or less |
If you buy a LifePath Portfolio's shares shortly before it makes a distribution, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in the distribution, which is subject to tax. Similarly, if you buy shares of a LifePath Portfolio that holds appreciated securities, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in a taxable distribution if and when the LifePath Portfolio sells the appreciated securities and distributes the realized gain on the sale. The LifePath Portfolios have built up, or have the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation in their investments.
After the end of each year, the LifePath Portfolios will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the LifePath Portfolios if you fail to provide the LifePath Portfolios with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The LifePath Portfolios do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the LifePath Portfolio. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the LifePath Portfolios.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the LifePath Portfolios, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a LifePath Portfolio's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the LifePath Portfolio's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a LifePath Portfolio's assets, it would then consider whether the LifePath Portfolio should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
FUND OF FUNDS
The Master Portfolios do not invest directly in a portfolio of securities. Instead, they invest in Underlying Funds also advised by BGFA. Each Master Portfolio may charge for its own direct expenses, in addition to bearing a pro rata share of the expenses charged by the Underlying Funds in which it invests.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Class I Shares of each LifePath Portfolio for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Class I Share of each LifePath Portfolio. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Class I Shares of a given LifePath Portfolio, assuming reinvestment of all distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the LifePath Portfolios' financial statements, is included in the LifePath Portfolios' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO - CLASS I SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002(A) FEB. 28, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 11.22 $ 11.18 $ 11.03 $ 10.03 $ 10.59 $ 10.77 ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- ------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.39 0.30 0.20 0.19 0.21 0.34 Net realized and 0.58 0.17 0.49 1.00 ( 0.40) ( 0.10) ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- ------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.97 0.47 0.69 1.19 ( 0.19) 0.24 ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- ------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.39) ( 0.33) ( 0.24) ( 0.19) ( 0.28) ( 0.35) Net realized gain ( 0.21) ( 0.10) ( 0.30) ( 0.00)(b) ( 0.09) ( 0.07) ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- ------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.60) ( 0.43) ( 0.54) ( 0.19) ( 0.37) ( 0.42) ------- ------- ------- -------- --------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 11.59 $ 11.22 $ 11.18 $ 11.03 $ 10.03 $ 10.59 ======= ======= ======= ======== ========= ======= PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 8.80% 4.32% 6.35% 11.95% ( 1.78)%(c) 2.25% ======= ======= ======= ======== ========= ======= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $91,518 $99,349 $90,871 $ 60,944 $ 40,509 $36,936 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.78% 0.81% 0.82% 0.85% 0.85% 0.89% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.13% 1.15% 1.10% n/a n/a n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 3.28% 2.72% 1.92% 1.81% 2.47% 3.19% Portfolio turnover 10% 11% 138% 29% 56% 116% rate(e) |
(b) Rounds to less than $0.01.
(c) Not annualized.
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
LIFEPATH 2010 - CLASS I SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002(A) FEB. 28, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 12.92 $ 12.74 $ 12.30 $ 10.82 $ 11.85 $ 12.46 ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- ------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.41 0.31 0.20 0.18 0.19 0.31 Net realized and 0.90 0.34 0.69 1.49 ( 1.00) ( 0.46) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- ------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 1.31 0.65 0.89 1.67 ( 0.81) ( 0.15) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- ------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.42) ( 0.34) ( 0.24) ( 0.19) ( 0.20) ( 0.33) Net realized gain ( 0.29) ( 0.13) ( 0.21) - ( 0.02) ( 0.13) -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.71) ( 0.47) ( 0.45) ( 0.19) ( 0.22) ( 0.46) -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 13.52 $ 12.92 $ 12.74 $ 12.30 $ 10.82 $ 11.85 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ======= PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 10.15% 5.20% 7.38% 15.66% ( 6.85)%(b) ( 1.13)% ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= ======= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $333,298 $350,226 $296,439 $172,075 $ 121,627 $108,601 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.77% 0.80% 0.81% 0.85% 0.86% 0.89% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.11% 1.14% 1.09% n/a n/a n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 2.96% 2.45% 1.78% 1.64% 1.98% 2.59% Portfolio turnover 12% 12% 130% 23% 72% 86% rate(d) |
(b) Not annualized.
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002(A) FEB. 28, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------ ---------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 15.85 $ 15.19 $ 14.13 $ 11.89 $ 13.52 $ 14.55 ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.40 0.30 0.21 0.19 0.17 0.23 Net realized and 1.64 0.68 1.09 2.24 ( 1.59) ( 1.02) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 2.04 0.98 1.30 2.43 ( 1.42) ( 0.79) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.41) ( 0.32) ( 0.24) ( 0.19) ( 0.21) ( 0.24) Net realized gain - - - - - ( 0.00)(b) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.41) ( 0.32) ( 0.24) ( 0.19) ( 0.21) ( 0.24) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 17.48 $ 15.85 $ 15.19 $ 14.13 $ 11.89 $ 13.52 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 13.01% 6.54% 9.27% 20.61% (10.58)%(c) ( 5.44)% ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $598,633 $578,497 $446,486 $386,387 $ 270,696 $319,935 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 0.75% 0.78% 0.79% 0.85% 0.83% 0.89% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.08% 1.12% 1.07% n/a n/a n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 2.37% 2.01% 1.49% 1.54% 1.59% 1.74% Portfolio turnover 16% 17% 140% 23% 67% 86% rate(e) |
(b) Rounds to less than $0.01.
(c) Not annualized.
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002(A) FEB. 28, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 15.39 $ 14.87 $ 14.13 $ 11.56 $ 13.69 $ 15.77 ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- ------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.32 0.24 0.19 0.18 0.13 0.18 Net realized and 1.99 0.88 1.32 2.55 ( 1.97) ( 1.48) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- ------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 2.31 1.12 1.51 2.73 ( 1.84) ( 1.30) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- ------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.36) ( 0.26) ( 0.19) ( 0.16) ( 0.13) ( 0.19) Net realized gain ( 0.44) ( 0.34) ( 0.58) - ( 0.16) ( 0.59) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.80) ( 0.60) ( 0.77) ( 0.16) ( 0.29) ( 0.78) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 16.90 $ 15.39 $ 14.87 $ 14.13 $ 11.56 $ 13.69 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======= PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 15.12% 7.63% 10.78% 23.86% (13.46)%(b) ( 8.25)% ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $408,564 $352,800 $265,166 $176,647 $ 103,485 $108,538 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.74% 0.76% 0.78% 0.85% 0.84% 0.89% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.08% 1.10% 1.06% n/a n/a n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 1.95% 1.69% 1.37% 1.48% 1.28% 1.25% Portfolio turnover 22% 24% 138% 32% 68% 53% rate(d) |
(b) Not annualized.
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO - CLASS I SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED PERIOD ENDED YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 DEC. 31, 2002(A) FEB. 28, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------ -------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 18.18 $ 17.03 $ 15.47 $ 12.27 $ 14.73 $ 16.74 ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.31 0.21 0.21 0.18 0.12 0.10 Net realized and 2.76 1.18 1.55 3.18 ( 2.48) ( 1.93) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 3.07 1.39 1.76 3.36 ( 2.36) ( 1.83) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.35) ( 0.24) ( 0.20) ( 0.16) ( 0.10) ( 0.10) Net realized gain - - - - - ( 0.08) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.35) ( 0.24) ( 0.20) ( 0.16) ( 0.10) ( 0.18) -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 20.90 $ 18.18 $ 17.03 $ 15.47 $ 12.27 $ 14.73 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 16.97% 8.24% 11.43% 27.64% (16.03)%(b) (10.89)% ======== ======== ======== ======== ========== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $278,716 $221,359 $125,063 $127,357 $ 74,352 $ 84,961 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.73% 0.76% 0.78% 0.85% 0.83% 0.90% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to waived fees(c) 1.07% 1.09% 1.06% n/a n/a n/a Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 1.62% 1.45% 1.15% 1.36% 1.05% 0.64% Portfolio turnover 29% 38% 147% 29% 62% 15% rate(d) |
(b) Not annualized.
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
Disclaimers
The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, iShares iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund and the iShares S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the iShares Trust (as used in these Disclaimers, the "Trust") or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in shares of the Trust. Standard & Poor's only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and service marks of Standard & Poor's and of the Standard & Poor's Indexes, which are determined, composed, and calculated by Standard & Poor's without regard to the Trust, BGI or BGFA. Standard & Poor's has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Standard & Poor's Indexes. Standard & Poor's is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed for sale or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Standard & Poor's has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust, or the marketing or trading of shares. Standard & Poor's does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein and Standard & Poor's shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Standard & Poor's makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Standard & Poor's makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Standard & Poor's have any liability for any lost profit or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Standard & Poor's and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Russell MidCap Index Fund and the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell Investment Group. Russell Investment Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Trust or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of outing or trading in shares of the Trust or the ability of the Russell Indexes to track general stock market performance. Russell Investment Group is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks, and trade names. The Russell Indexes on which the Funds are based are determined, composed, and calculated by Russell Investment Group without regard to the Funds, BGI or BGFA. Russell Investment Group has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell Indexes. Russell Investment Group is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Russell Investment Group has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Although Russell Investment Group obtains information for inclusion or use in the calculation of the Russell Indexes from sources that Russell Investment Group considers reliable, Russell Investment Group does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Russell Investment Group makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Russell Investment Group have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Russell Investment Group and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Trust or any
member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund particularly or the ability of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index to track general stock market performance. Cohen & Steers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI and BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Cohen & Steers and of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Cohen & Steers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers has no obligation to take the needs of BGFA, BGI or the owners of shares of the Trust into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index. Cohen & Steers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund are to be converted into cash. Cohen & Steers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein and Cohen & Steers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Cohen & Steers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, owners of shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Cohen & Steers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Cohen & Steers have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the "iShares MSCI Index Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares MSCI Index Funds particularly or the ability of the MSCI Indexes to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to BGI, BGFA or the iShares MSCI Index Funds. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI Indexes. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or the timing of the issuance or sale of such shares. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes has any obligation or liability to owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds in connection with the administration of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or the marketing or trading of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds. Although MSCI obtains information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the MSCI Indexes from sources which MSCI considers reliable, neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes guarantees the accuracy and or the completeness of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity from the use of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed hereunder or for any other use. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of or in connection with the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any express or implied warranties, and MSCI hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, any of its affiliates or any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
No purchaser, seller or holder of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote iShares without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI's permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
The iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Short Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund (collectively, the "Lehman Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Treasury Funds or the Lehman Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Lehman Brothers Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Lehman Brothers Indexes. Lehman Brothers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or the timing of prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Lehman Brothers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Lehman Brothers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Lehman Brothers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by BGI and BGFA or owners of the shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity, from the use of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Lehman Brothers have any liability for any lost profits or special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages even if notified thereof. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Lehman Brothers and BGI and BGFA.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the American Stock Exchange (the"AMEX"). The AMEX makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track bond market performance. Each Underlying Index identified herein is determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The AMEX is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Funds to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The AMEX has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Funds in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Funds.
The AMEX does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The AMEX makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The AMEX makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the AMEX have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the NYSE. The NYSE makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of any Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability
of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Underlying Indexes identified herein are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The NYSE is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of any Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The NYSE has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of any Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Fund.
The NYSE does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The NYSE makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The NYSE makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
BGFA does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein and BGFA shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein.
BGFA makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Funds, to the owners of the shares of any Fund, or to any other person or entity, from the use of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. BGFA makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BGFA have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available, without charge, upon request, by calling the number below. For more detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the LifePath Portfolios, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the LifePath Portfolios, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus. The annual and semi-annual reports discuss the LifePath Portfolios' holdings over the last fiscal year and the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the LifePath Portfolios' performance.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the LifePath Portfolios or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGIFunds@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a LifePath Portfolio (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the LifePath Portfolios are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-LPI0507
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BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 2007
LIFEPATH(REG. TM) PORTFOLIOS
CLASS R SHARES
LIFEPATH(REG. TM) RETIREMENT
LIFEPATH 2010(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2020(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2030(REG. TM)
LIFEPATH 2040(REG. TM)
THE FIRST MUTUAL FUNDS DESIGNED TO OFFER INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS COMPREHENSIVE ASSET ALLOCATION STRATEGIES THAT ADJUST OVER TIME.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Table of Contents
Overview .............. 1 Investment Objectives . 4 Summary of Principal 5 Investment Strategies Summary of Principal 6 Risk Factors Investment Returns .... 7 Fees and Expenses ..... 12 A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies ............ 14 A Further Discussion 21 of Principal Risk Factors Management of the 24 LifePath Portfolios Shareholder 27 Information Financial Highlights .. 32 Disclaimers ........... 37 |
Overview
INTRODUCTION
The LifePath Portfolios(1) are designed to offer individual investors comprehensive asset allocation strategies tailored to the time when they expect to begin withdrawing assets. Asset allocation is the distribution of investments among broad types of asset classes: equity securities, bonds and money market instruments. Each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective as the LifePath Portfolio. To implement the assets allocation strategy, each Master Portfolio, in turn, invests in a combination of equity securities, bond and money market funds (the "Underlying Funds") in proportions based on its own comprehensive investment strategy that gradually becomes more conservative as the year in the LifePath Portfolio's name approaches, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio, which is already in its most conservative phase. Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA") is the investment advisor to the Master Portfolios.
WHICH LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO TO CONSIDER
The first step in choosing which LifePath Portfolio to consider is answering a key question: When will you need the money you are thinking of investing? Will it be in 10 years, when your kids are ready for college? Or 30 years, when you retire?
The number in the name of most of the LifePath Portfolios is actually a year - a "target year" when you might expect to begin withdrawing your money. Selecting the LifePath Portfolio that may be most appropriate for your investment may be as simple as matching your target year with the closest LifePath Portfolio target year.
For example, let's say that you are investing for retirement purposes, and that you expect to retire at age 60. If you are 45 years old, you have 15 years before retirement. By adding 15 to the current year, you can define your "target year." If you expect to retire in the year 2022, as in this example, you may conclude that the LifePath 2020 Portfolio is the most appropriate LifePath Portfolio for you.
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LIFEPATH(Reg. TM) PORTFOLIOS HOW THEY WORK
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NOTE: THE ABOVE CHART IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE ACTUAL ALLOCATION PERCENTAGES OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS.
The chart shows that over time, the investment mix of each LifePath Portfolio gradually shifts from a greater concentration of higher-risk investments (namely, equity securities funds) to a greater concentration of lower-risk investments (namely, bond and money market funds), thereby making the LifePath Portfolio increasingly conservative.
In making your investment decision, you should keep in mind:
[] Each LifePath Portfolio's investment strategy derives from the risk tolerance of average investors with a particular time horizon.
[] Each LifePath Portfolio's time horizon is based on the year in its name, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio that is designed for investors who are currently withdrawing, or plan in the near future to begin withdrawing, a substantial portion of their investment.
If you are willing to accept a greater risk of short-term loss in exchange for the potential to achieve higher long-term returns, you may invest some or all of your assets in a LifePath Portfolio with a longer time horizon. If you desire a more conservative investment and are willing to forego some potential returns, you may invest some or all of your assets in a LifePath Portfolio with a shorter time horizon. The final choice is yours.
Investment Objectives
Each LifePath Portfolio seeks to maximize return consistent with the quantitatively measured risk that investors on average may be willing to accept given their investment time horizon. An investor's time horizon marks the point when the investor plans to start making net withdrawals from his or her investments. As a general rule, investors with a longer time horizon have a greater tolerance for risk than investors with a shorter time horizon. Long-term investors are more likely to accept a greater risk of short-term loss in exchange for the potential to achieve higher long-term returns. Each LifePath Portfolio has its own time horizon, which affects the targeted risk level of the LifePath Portfolio and, in turn, its asset allocation.
SPECIFICALLY:
[] LifePath Retirement Portfolio is managed for investors seeking income and moderate long-term growth of capital.
[] LifePath 2010 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2010.
[] LifePath 2020 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2020.
[] LifePath 2030 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2030.
[] LifePath 2040 Portfolio is managed for investors planning to retire (or begin to withdraw substantial portions of their investment) approximately in the year 2040.
Each LifePath Portfolio's investment objective may be changed by the LifePath Portfolio's Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.
Summary of Principal Investment Strategies
Each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a corresponding Master Portfolio which allocates and reallocates its assets among the Underlying Funds. The Master Portfolios with longer time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in equity securities, which provide a greater opportunity for capital appreciation over the long-term but have a greater risk of short-term loss. The Master Portfolios with shorter time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in bonds and money market instruments, which typically offer reduced risk and price volatility but forego some potential returns. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, the LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons have lower expected returns than the LifePath Portfolios with longer time horizons.
[] LifePath Retirement Portfolio is designed for investors seeking income and moderate long-term growth of capital. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath Retirement Portfolio held approximately 38% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 62% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1)
[] LifePath 2010 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2010. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2010 Portfolio held approximately 46% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 54% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2020 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2020. As of March 31, 2007, LifePath 2020 Portfolio held approximately 65% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 35% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2030 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2030. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2030 Portfolio held approximately 80% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 20% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
[] LifePath 2040 Portfolio is designed for investors expecting to begin withdrawing assets around the year 2040. As of March 31, 2007, the LifePath 2040 Portfolio held approximately 92% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 8% of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in bonds and the remainder of its assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in money market instruments.(1) As the stated time horizon approaches, the allocation will become more conservative and have lower expected returns.
Summary of Principal Risk Factors
As with any investment, your investment in the LifePath Portfolios could lose money or the Portfolios' performance could trail that of other investments.
EACH LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO HAS A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF RISK.
The value of your investment is subject to equity securities market risk, which means the price of the equity securities in which the Underlying Funds invest may fluctuate or fall in response to economic events or trends.
The value of your investment is also subject to bond investment risks, including interest rate risk, which means that the prices of bonds in which the Underlying Funds invest may fall because of a rise in interest rates; credit risk, which is the risk that the price of an individual bond may fall with the decline in an issuer's real or apparent ability to meet its financial obligations; extension risk, which is the risk that borrowers may extend the prepayment of their mortgages or loans for longer periods than expected, thereby affecting the security's average life and, potentially, its yield; and prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may prepay their mortgages or loans faster than expected, thereby affecting the security's average life and potentially its yield.
Investments in foreign securities by the Underlying Funds are subject to certain special risks and considerations, including potentially less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities traded in the U.S. markets.
The allocation of each LifePath Portfolio's assets is managed using a quantitative model that has been developed based on a number of factors. Neither the LifePath Portfolios nor BGFA, the investment adviser to the Master Portfolios, can offer any assurance that the recommended asset allocation will either maximize returns or minimize risk or be the appropriate allocation in all circumstances for every investor with a particular time horizon.
The LifePath Portfolios must maintain cash balances to meet redemption requests, which may lower overall Portfolio performance.
An investment in a LifePath Portfolio is not a bank deposit and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Investment Returns
TOTAL RETURNS
The bar charts and table in this section provide some indication of the risks of investing in the LifePath Portfolios by showing the changes in their performance from year to year. The bar charts show the returns for Class R of each LifePath Portfolio for each of the last 10 calendar years./1/ The average annual total return table compares the average annual total returns (before and after taxes) of Class R of each LifePath Portfolio to those of a corresponding index for various periods of time. Effective March 15, 2004, the returns for each LifePath Portfolio reflect its Master Portfolio's investment in Underlying Funds. For all periods prior to March 15, 2004, the returns for each LifePath Portfolio reflect the direct investment by its Master Portfolio in a portfolio of securities and also reflect the LifePath Portfolios' investment in accordance with a model that included "tactical," or short-term, shifts in allocation between stocks and bonds. In addition, as of December 31, 2003, BGFA made certain changes to its asset allocation strategies for the LifePath Portfolios, including a change to the frequency with which the LifePath Portfolios' respective holdings were rebalanced among asset classes from monthly to quarterly.
How the LifePath Portfolios performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how they will perform in the future.
LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO - CLASS R
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 10.46% 1998 10.24% 1999 4.60% 2000 4.48% 2001 1.40% 2002 -4.98% 2003 15.51% 2004 6.07% 2005 4.05% 2006 8.52% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 11.32% in the 2nd quarter of 2003; the worst was -4.77% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 16.35% 1998 15.79% 1999 9.23% 2000 0.46% 2001 -1.92% 2002 -8.57% 2003 15.45% 2004 7.23% 2005 4.94% 2006 9.89% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 10.06% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -8.38% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 20.96% 1998 19.72% 1999 13.87% 2000 -3.99% 2001 -7.43% 2002 -13.01% 2003 20.37% 2004 9.01% 2005 6.28% 2006 12.77% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 14.55% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -11.58% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 24.25% 1998 22.47% 1999 16.60% 2000 -5.90% 2001 -10.54% 2002 -16.04% 2003 23.48% 2004 10.51% 2005 7.37% 2006 14.83% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 17.96% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -13.91% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R
YEAR-BY-YEAR RETURNS (YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1997 26.60% 1998 25.33% 1999 21.13% 2000 -9.96% 2001 -13.64% 2002 -18.58% 2003 27.66% 2004 11.08% 2005 8.01% 2006 16.64% |
The best calendar quarter return during the years shown above was 21.66% in the 4th quarter of 1998; the worst was -15.75% in the 3rd quarter of 2002.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
CLASS R SHARES(1)
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ---------- --------- --------- LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 8.52% 5.62% 5.92% Return After Taxes on 7.05% 4.46% 4.33% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 6.01% 4.24% 4.25% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath Retirement 9.46% 6.78% 7.22% Portfolio Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 9.89% 5.47% 6.62% Return After Taxes on 8.54% 4.67% 5.16% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 6.96% 4.34% 5.02% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2010 Portfolio 10.91% 6.94% 7.79% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 12.77% 6.47% 7.23% Return After Taxes on 12.07% 6.00% 6.12% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 8.49% 5.34% 5.70% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2020 Portfolio 13.84% 7.67% 8.16% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 14.83% 7.15% 7.78% Return After Taxes on 13.82% 6.42% 6.58% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 10.41% 5.91% 6.24% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2030 Portfolio 16.07% 8.26% 8.40% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO Return Before Taxes 16.64% 7.78% 8.11% Return After Taxes on 16.30% 7.53% 7.15% Distributions(2) Return After Taxes on 11.09% 6.64% 6.68% Distributions and Sal e of Fund Shares(2) LifePath 2040 Portfolio 17.99% 8.58% 8.67% Custom Benchmark(3), (4) S&P 1500 Index(4) 15.34% 6.79% 8.84% Lehman Brothers U.S. 4.33% 5.06% 6.24% Aggregate Index(4) MSCI EAFE Index(4) 26.34% 14.98% 7.71% Citigroup 3-Month 4.76% 2.35% 3.67% Treasury Bill Index(4) |
401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"). A LifePath
Portfolio's returns after taxes on distributions and sale of LifePath
Portfolio shares are calculated assuming that an investor has sufficient
capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any
capital losses from the sale of LifePath Portfolio shares. As a result, a
LifePath Portfolio's returns after taxes on distributions and sale of
LifePath Portfolio shares may exceed the LifePath Portfolio's returns before
taxes and/or returns after taxes on distributions.
(3)The LifePath Portfolios' custom benchmarks are hypothetical representations
of the performance of the respective LifePath Portfolios' asset classes
according to their weightings as of the most recent quarter end. The
weightings of the various indexes that are included in the LifePath
Portfolios' custom benchmarks are adjusted quarterly to reflect the LifePath
Portfolios' changing asset allocation over time. The following indexes are
currently used to calculate the LifePath Portfolios' custom benchmarks: S&P
500 Index, S&P 400 Index, S&P 600 Index, MSCI EAFE Index, Lehman Brothers
U.S. Aggregate Index, Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index, Lehman Brothers
U.S. Treasury TIPS Index, and Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index.
(4) Reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class R Shares of a LifePath Portfolio. The expenses are deducted from each LifePath Portfolio's assets, which means you pay them indirectly. This table does not reflect charges that may be imposed in connection with an account in which you hold the shares. A broker-dealer or financial institution maintaining the account in which you hold shares may charge a separate account, service or transaction fee on the purchase or sale of Class R Shares that would be in addition to the fees and expenses shown here.
The total annual operating expense ratios in the table and the example on the next page reflect the expenses of the Class R Shares of each LifePath Portfolio and its corresponding Master Portfolio and also reflect a weighted average of the total operating expense ratios of the Underlying Funds in which each Master Portfolio invests.
ANNUAL CLASS OPERATING EXPENSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS
(Expenses that are Deducted from Class Assets)
LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ Management fees(1) 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% Distribution (12b-1) fees 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% Other expenses 0.52% 0.51% 0.51% 0.51% 0.51% (Administration fees; Independent Expenses(2)) Acquired fund fees and 0.33% 0.33% 0.34% 0.34% 0.34% expenses (Underlying Funds)(3) Total annual class 1.45% 1.44% 1.45% 1.45% 1.45% operating expenses(1), (2), (3) Less fee waivers and/or (0.35)% (0.34)% (0.34)% (0.34)% (0.34)% expense reimbursements(1), (2) Net expenses(1), (2), (4) 1.10% 1.10% 1.11% 1.11% 1.11% |
EXAMPLE
The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Class R Shares of the LifePath Portfolios with those of other mutual funds. The example illustrates the cost you would have incurred on an initial $10,000 investment in Class R Shares of each LifePath Portfolio over the time periods shown. It assumes your investment earns an annual return of 5% over the periods, that total operating expenses remain the same and that the contractual fee waivers with BGFA and BGI are in effect for two years.
THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS DO NOT CHARGE A SALES LOAD OR OTHER FEE UPON REDEMPTION. This means that your expenses for each period would be the same whether or not you sell your shares at the end of a period. Your actual costs may be higher or lower than this hypothetical example.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------- --------- --------- --------- LifePath Retirement $112 $388 $724 $1673 Portfolio LifePath 2010 Portfolio $112 $387 $720 $1664 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $113 $390 $726 $1675 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $113 $390 $726 $1675 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $113 $390 $726 $1675 |
A Further Discussion of Principal Investment Strategies
INTRODUCTION
Each LifePath Portfolio pursues a common strategy of allocating and reallocating
its assets among the Underlying Funds. The LifePath Portfolios with longer time
horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that
invest in equity securities, which provide a greater potential to achieve higher
returns over the long-term but have a greater risk of short-term loss. In
addition to investing in Underlying Funds, each LifePath Portfolio may borrow,
lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions,
and may invest the collateral in certain high-quality money-market instruments
and U.S. government obligations, as described in greater detail in the LifePath
Portfolios' combined Statement of Additional Information ("SAI").
The LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons invest a greater portion of their assets in Underlying Funds that invest in bonds and money market instruments, which typically offer reduced risk and price volatility but forego some potential returns. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, the LifePath Portfolios with shorter time horizons have lower expected returns than the LifePath Portfolios with longer time horizons. As each LifePath Portfolio approaches its designated time horizon, it systematically seeks to reduce the level of risk by allocating assets more conservatively among the Underlying Funds. This systematic shift toward more conservative investments is designed to reduce the risk of significant reductions in the value of an investment in a LifePath Portfolio as it approaches its time horizon.
For example, the LifePath Retirement Portfolio has entered its "retirement phase" and seeks to maximize returns consistent with the risk that an average investor in retirement may be willing to accept. This does not mean, however, that it invests exclusively in Underlying Funds that are money market funds. Rather, because BGFA, the LifePath Portfolios' investment adviser, believes that most investors are still willing to take some risks in pursuing returns even while drawing on their investments, a portion of the LifePath Retirement Portfolio's assets will continue to be allocated to Underlying Funds that are equity and bond funds, in addition to Underlying Funds that are money market funds.
In determining the allocation of assets to the Underlying Funds, BGFA uses a proprietary investment model that analyzes securities market data, including risk, asset class correlations, and expected returns, to provide portfolio allocations among the asset classes represented by the Underlying Funds. The allocations are periodically monitored and rebalanced in an effort to maximize expected return for a given level of risk. In managing the LifePath Portfolios, BGFA focuses on long-term targets and objectives. The progression over time of a LifePath Portfolio's asset allocation to more conservative asset classes is a relatively steady process resulting in only gradual changes to the asset allocation from quarter to quarter. The Underlying Funds invest in a mix of equity securities, bonds and money market instruments. Certain Underlying Funds invest in real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), foreign securities, emerging markets, below investment-grade bonds and derivatives, which are subject to additional risks, as described in the "Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors" section of this Prospectus. The investment model adjusts each LifePath Portfolio's risk level by gradually making it more conservative as the year in the LifePath Portfolio's name approaches, except for the LifePath Retirement Portfolio, which is already in its most conservative phase.
THE UNDERLYING FUNDS
Two of the Underlying Funds - the Active Stock Master Portfolio and the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio (collectively, the "Underlying Master Portfolios") - are diversified portfolios of Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"). The Active Stock Master Portfolio seeks to provide long-term appreciation of capital. BGFA invests the Active Stock Master Portfolio's assets using a proprietary quantitative model that is designed to select stocks based on an analysis of a wide range of company-specific factors. The CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio seeks to provide a combination of income and capital growth. BGFA invests the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio's assets pursuant to a systematic method that relies on
proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets among various bond sectors by evaluating each sector's relative value and risk-adjusted return.
The remaining Underlying Funds, other than the Barclays Global Investors Funds ("BGIF") Institutional Money Market Fund (the "Underlying Money Market Fund"), are exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") that are part of the iShares family of funds ("Underlying iShares Funds"). Each of the Underlying iShares Funds seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. As a result, adverse performance of a particular security in an Underlying iShares Fund's portfolio will ordinarily not result in the elimination of the security from the Underlying iShares Fund's portfolio. Each Underlying iShares Fund offers and issues iShares at their net asset value per share only to certain institutional investors in aggregations of a specified number of iShares (each, a "Creation Unit"), generally in exchange for a basket of securities included in its Underlying Index (the "Deposit Securities"), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment. The iShares for these Underlying iShares Funds are listed and traded on national securities exchanges and also may be listed on certain non-U.S. exchanges. BGFA purchases iShares on behalf of the LifePath Master Portfolios in the secondary market.
The relative weightings for each LifePath Master Portfolio in the various Underlying Funds will vary over time, and BGFA is not required to invest any Master Portfolio's assets in each of the Underlying Funds or in any particular percentage. BGFA may add, eliminate or replace Underlying Funds at any time.
Each LifePath Master Portfolio currently expects to invest in some or all of the Underlying Funds described below.
ACTIVE STOCK MASTER PORTFOLIO
Seeks to provide long-term appreciation of capital. The Active Stock Master Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in common stocks. The Active Stock Master Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies with capitalizations similar to the range of capitalizations represented in the Standard & Poor's ("S&P") 500 Index. BGFA invests the Active Stock Master Portfolio's assets using a proprietary quantitative model that is designed to select stocks based on an analysis of a wide range of company-specific factors, such as relative values based on earnings and cash flows; earnings quality as measured by the company's financial condition and earnings reports; sentiment as expressed through management and market participant behavior; and industry classification. BGFA considers risk parameters in deciding upon the Active Stock Master Portfolio's aggregate holdings, and factors trading costs into its stock selection process.
COREALPHA BOND MASTER PORTFOLIO
Seeks to provide a combination of income and capital growth. BGFA invests the CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio's assets pursuant to a systematic method that relies on proprietary quantitative models to allocate assets among various bond sectors by evaluating each sector's relative value and risk-adjusted return. BGFA's models also allocate assets among bonds of different maturities based on yield characteristics and expectations. Specific investment selection decisions are made on the basis of evaluations of relative value, credit quality and other factors. The CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in bonds. For the purposes of this strategy, "bonds" include the following: obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities, including U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities; commercial mortgage-backed securities; debt obligations of U.S. corporations; dollar-denominated debt obligations of foreign issuers; municipal securities; and asset-backed securities. The Master Portfolio invests a substantial portion of its assets in U.S.-registered, dollar-denominated bonds. The Master Portfolio may invest in bonds of any maturity or duration.
BGIF INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MARKET FUND
Seeks a high level of income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. The Fund invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments that include fixed rate, floating rate and variable rate debt securities. The Fund also may invest in high-quality, short-term U.S. and foreign government debt, including the debt of agencies and
instrumentalities, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and the Student Loan Marketing Association, U.S. and foreign bank obligations, corporate obligations, repurchase agreements, and asset-backed securities.
UNDERLYING ISHARES FUNDS
In managing each of the Underlying iShares Funds, BGFA uses one of two basic indexing strategies, replication or representative sampling. Replication is investing in substantially all of the securities in the relevant underlying index in approximately the same proportions as the index. Representative sampling is investing in a representative sample of securities in the underlying index, which have a similar investment profile as the index. Securities selected under a representative sampling strategy have aggregate investment characteristics (based on market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, earnings valuation and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the applicable underlying index. Underlying iShares Funds that use representative sampling generally do not hold all of the securities that are included in the relevant underlying index.
ISHARES S&P 500 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The component stocks in the S&P 500 Index are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares.
ISHARES S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The S&P MidCap 400 Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index have a market capitalization between $1 billion and $4 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets) and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.
ISHARES S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. The S&P SmallCap 600 Index measures the performance of the small capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The stocks in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index have a market capitalization between $300 million and $1 billion (which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets) and are selected for liquidity and industry group representation.
ISHARES RUSSELL MIDCAP INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap(Reg. TM) Index. The Russell Midcap(Reg. TM) Index is a capitalization-weighted index consisting of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000(Reg. TM) Index.
ISHARES RUSSELL 2000 INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index. The Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index measures the performance of the small capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000(Reg. TM) Index is a capitalization-weighted index of the approximately 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000(Reg. TM) Index.
ISHARES COHEN & STEERS REALTY MAJORS INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index (the "Cohen & Steers Index"). The Cohen & Steers Index consists of selected REITs. The objective of the Cohen & Steers Index is to represent relatively large and liquid REITs that may benefit from
future consolidation and securitization of the U.S. real estate industry. REITs are selected for inclusion in the Cohen & Steers Index based on a rigorous review of several factors, including management, portfolio quality, and sector and geographic diversification. The REITs selected for inclusion in the Cohen & Steers Index must meet minimum market capitalization and liquidity requirements. The Cohen & Steers Index is weighted according to the total market value of each REIT's outstanding shares and is adjusted quarterly so that no REIT represents more than 8% of the Cohen & Steers Index.
ISHARES MSCI CANADA INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Canadian market, as represented by the MSCI Canada Index. The MSCI Canada Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
ISHARES MSCI EAFE INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index has been developed by Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc. ("MSCI") as an equity benchmark for international stock performance. The MSCI EAFE Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS INDEX FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was developed by MSCI as an equity benchmark for international stock performance. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of March 31, 2007, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index consisted of the following 25 emerging market country indexes: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey; emerging market country indexes may be added to or deleted from MSCI Emerging Markets Index from time to time. In order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of other iShares Funds that seek to track the performance of equity securities in constituent countries of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. BGFA will not charge portfolio management fees on that portion of the Fund's assets invested in shares of other iShares Funds.
ISHARES LEHMAN 1-3 YEAR CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 1-3 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the short-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 3-7 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the intermediate-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to three years and less than seven years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 7-10 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the intermediate-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to seven years and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 10-20 YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the long-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years and less than 20 years.
ISHARES LEHMAN 20+ YEAR TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the long-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of 20 or more years.
ISHARES LEHMAN AGGREGATE BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the total United States investment grade bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (the "Lehman Brothers Index"). The Lehman Brothers Index measures the performance of the U.S. investment grade bond market, which includes investment grade U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds, investment grade corporate bonds, mortgage pass-through securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities that are publicly offered for sale in the United States. The securities in the Lehman Brothers Index must have $250 million or more of outstanding face value and must have at least one year remaining to maturity. In addition, the securities must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed rate and non-convertible. Certain types of securities, such as state and local government series bonds, structured notes with embedded swaps or other special features, private placements, floating rate securities and Eurobonds are excluded from the Lehman Brothers Index. The Lehman Brothers Index is market capitalization weighted and the securities in the Lehman Brothers Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.
ISHARES LEHMAN CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar-denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year.
ISHARES LEHMAN GOVERNMENT/CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the U.S. government and investment grade U.S. corporate securities of the U.S. bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index measures the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related (I.E., U.S. and foreign agencies, sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year.
ISHARES LEHMAN INTERMEDIATE CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade credit sector of the United States bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of investment grade corporate debt and sovereign, supranational, local authority and non-U.S. agency bonds that are U.S. dollar denominated and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT/CREDIT BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the U.S. government and investment grade U.S. corporate securities of the U.S. bond market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index. The Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index measures the performance of U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related (I.E., U.S. and foreign agencies, sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), and investment grade U.S. corporate securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than ten years.
ISHARES LEHMAN MBS FIXED-RATE BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the investment grade agency mortgage-backed securities sector of the United States as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index measures the performance of investment grade fixed-rate mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), FNMA and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC").
ISHARES LEHMAN SHORT TREASURY BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the short-term sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index. The Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of between one and 12 months.
ISHARES LEHMAN TIPS BOND FUND
Seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the inflation-protected sector of the United States Treasury market as defined by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index. The Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index measures the performance of the inflation-protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as "TIPS."
The following table lists the Underlying Funds and the asset allocation for each Master Portfolio as of March 31, 2007. BGFA allocates the Master Portfolio's assets among the Underlying Funds based on the Master Portfolio's investment objective and policies. The asset allocation for each Master Portfolio will vary over time, and BGFA is not required to invest any Master Portfolio's assets in each of the Underlying Funds or in any particular percentage. BGFA may add, eliminate or replace Underlying Funds at any time.
UNDERLYING FUNDS
(as of March 31, 2007)
LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- CAPITAL GROWTH Master Investment 19.09% 23.50% 35.04% 43.68% 50.77% Portfolio-Active Stock Master Portfolio iShares S&P MidCap 400 3.71% 4.34% 5.51% 6.46% 7.22% Index Fund iShares S&P SmallCap 600 1.96% 2.30% 2.99% 3.39% 3.73% Index Fund iShares MSCI EAFE Index 10.47% 12.42% 17.48% 21.17% 24.31% Fund iShares Cohen & Steers 2.58% 3.02% 4.33% 5.22% 6.00% Realty Majors Index Fund CAPITAL GROWTH AND INCOME Master Investment 52.04% 45.83% 29.25% 17.12% 7.77% Portfolio-CoreAlpha Bon d Master Portfolio iShares Lehman TIPS Bond 9.86% 8.39% 5.20% 2.76% 0.00% Fund BGIF Institutional Money 0.29% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% Market Fund |
"Standard & Poor's(Reg. TM)," "S&P(Reg. TM)," "S&P 500(Reg. TM)," "Standard & Poor's 500," "S&P 500 Index," "S&P MidCap 400 Index," "S&P SmallCap 600 Index," "S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index," "Standard & Poor's 500/Citigroup Growth Index," "S&P 500/Citigroup Value Index," "Standard & Poor's 500/Citigroup Value Index," "S&P MidCap 400/Citigroup Growth Index," "S&P MidCap 400/Citigroup Value Index," "S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Growth Index" and "S&P SmallCap 600/Citigroup Value Index," are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and Citigroup, Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI"). The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund and iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund that are based on S&P Indexes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's, and Standard & Poor's makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"Cohen & Steers" is a trademark and "Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index(Reg. TM)" is a registered trademark of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. ("Cohen & Steers"), and both such trademarks have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers, and Cohen & Steers makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"Lehman Brothers," "Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 3-7 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 7-10 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 10-20 Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. Government/Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit Index," "Lehman Brothers U.S. MBS Fixed-Rate Index," "Lehman Brothers Short U.S. Treasury Index," and the "Lehman Brothers U.S. Treasury TIPS Index" are trademarks of Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("Lehman Brothers") and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund, Shares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Intermediate Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate Bond Fund, iShares Short Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund are not sponsored or endorsed by Lehman Brothers, and neither Lehman Brothers nor any of its affiliates makes any representations regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
"MSCI Canada Index," "MSCI EAFE Index" and the "MSCI Emerging Markets Index" are servicemarks of MSCI and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by BGI. The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in iShares.
A Further Discussion of Principal Risk Factors
In addition to the principal risks of investing described in the Summary of Principal Risk Factors, the LifePath Portfolios have the following risks:
GENERAL
The net asset value of each LifePath Portfolio's shares ("NAV") is neither insured nor guaranteed, is not fixed and will fluctuate.
GENERAL RISKS APPLICABLE TO THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS
EQUITY SECURITIES MARKET RISK
The risks of investing in the equity securities market include both short-term and prolonged price declines. The value of an equity security may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the markets. Equity securities may underperform fixed income investments and securities market indexes that track other markets, segments and sectors. Equity securities of mid- to small-cap companies tend to present greater risks than equity securities of large-cap companies because they are generally more volatile and can be less liquid.
BOND INVESTMENT RISK
The risks of fixed income investing include short-term and prolonged price declines because of a rise in interest rates, issuer quality considerations and other economic considerations; however, such price declines in the bond market have historically been less severe than stock declines.
CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is the risk that issuers or guarantors of debt instruments or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or loan of portfolio securities is unable or unwilling to make timely interest and/or principal payments or to otherwise honor its obligations. U.S. Treasury bonds have minimal credit risk because they are backed by the U.S. government's full faith and credit. Certain securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities, such as the FNMA, the FHLMC and the Federal Home Loan Banks are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. Additionally, corporate bonds are subject to greater credit risk than U.S. government bonds and high yield bonds are subject to greater credit risk than higher quality bonds.
INTEREST-RATE RISK
Interest-rate risk is the risk that bond prices will decline over short or even long periods due to rising market interest rates. All bonds, including those issued by the U.S. government and its agencies, are subject to interest-rate risk. Their prices tend to move in the opposite direction from market interest rate movements. When interest rates go up, bond prices tend to fall; when rates fall, prices tend to rise. Bonds with longer maturities are affected more by interest rate movements than bonds with shorter maturities, bonds with interest rate reset provisions, notes or money market instruments. If prices throughout the economy were to decline over time, resulting in "deflation," the principal and income of inflation-protected bonds held by the Underlying Fund would likely decline in price, which would result in losses for the Underlying Fund. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in or instruments backed by a pool of loans secured by mortgages and asset-backed securities represent interests in or instruments backed by a pool of loans secured by other assets. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are also subject to prepayment risk and extension risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of mortgages and other securities may be able to repay principal prior to the security's maturity causing the Underlying Fund to have to
reinvest in securities with a lower yield. Extension risk is the risk that when interest rates rise, certain mortgage-backed securities will be paid off substantially more slowly than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. Both prepayment risk and extension risk may result in a decline to the Underlying Funds' income.
HIGH YIELD SECURITIES RISK
Bonds that are in low or below investment-grade rating categories, or are unrated at the time of purchase (sometimes referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield securities) have a greater risk of default and are more volatile than higher-rated securities of similar maturity. The value of these securities is affected by overall economic conditions, interest rates, and the creditworthiness of the individual issuers. Additionally, these lower-rated or unrated bonds may be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT RISKS
Investments in foreign securities are subject to certain risks, including potentially less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities traded in the U.S. markets. These risks are related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments, and the general risk that foreign markets can and often do perform differently than U.S. markets. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation (and possibly confiscatory taxation), thereby reducing their earnings potential, and amounts realized on the sale foreign securities may be subject to high levels of foreign taxation (and possibly confiscatory taxation).
Investment in foreign securities may be made by an Underlying Fund directly or through investments in American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and other similar investments. ADRs are receipts for shares of foreign stocks held on deposit in U.S. banks or banks of major European countries. The receipts trade on the U.S. or local European stock markets as would normal stocks, entitling their owners to the dividends and capital gains earned by the real shares stored in bank vaults. Direct investment in foreign securities involves exposure to additional risks, including those related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, withholding and other taxes, trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks, and the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets. ADRs reduce some of the risks of foreign investing, because a large, liquid market generally exists and U.S. trading and settlement practices reduce currency, custodial and other operational risks. Similar investments (European and Global Depositary Receipts) are receipts for stock deposited in foreign bank and trust companies, trade across foreign and domestic markets, and can involve different or greater risks than ADRs.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
Some foreign markets are considered to be emerging markets. Investment in these emerging markets is subject to a greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, greater risk of market shut down and more governmental limitations on foreign investment policy than those typically found in a developed market.
MODEL RISK
Although the quantitative model used to manage the Master Portfolios' assets has been developed and refined over many years, neither the Master Portfolios nor BGFA can offer any assurance that the recommended allocation will either maximize returns or minimize risks. Nor can the Master Portfolios or BGFA offer assurance that a recommended allocation will be the appropriate allocation in all circumstances for every investor with a particular time horizon.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT RISK
Investment in equity securities in the real estate sector is subject to many of the same risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, such as adverse changes in national, state or local real estate conditions (resulting from, for example oversupply of or reduced demand for space and changes in market rental rates); obsolescence of properties; changes in the availability, cost and terms of mortgage funds; and the impact of tax, environmental, and other laws.
DERIVATIVES
Derivatives include, among other instruments, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, other types of options that may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter ("OTC"), indexed and inverse floating rate securities, and total return and credit default swaps. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived, at least in part, from the prices of other securities or specified assets, indexes or rates. Some derivatives may be more sensitive than direct securities to changes in interest rates or sudden market moves. Some derivatives also may be susceptible to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
SECURITY SELECTION RISK
Because BGFA does not select individual companies in the underlying indexes for the Underlying iShares Funds, those Underlying iShares Funds may hold stocks in companies that present risks that an investment adviser researching individual stocks might seek to avoid. For each of Active Stock Master Portfolio and CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio, BGFA bases security selection on its analysis of securities and therefore is subject to the risk that poor security selection will result in underperformance of the Master Portfolio in comparison with other investment vehicles with similar investment objectives and strategies.
CONCENTRATION RISK
If an underlying index of an Underlying iShares Fund concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, that Underlying iShares Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities and be subject to price volatility. In addition, an Underlying Fund that concentrates in a single industry or group of industries may be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence.
MARKET TRADING RISKS
The Underlying iShares Funds are subject to certain additional risks due to their shares being listed and traded on securities exchanges. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for these particular ETFs will develop or be maintained. Trading in ETFs may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the listing exchange, make trading in ETFs inadvisable. In addition, trading in ETFs is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to "circuit breaker" rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the listing of ETFs will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. An ETF may trade at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of an ETF will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its holdings. The trading price of an ETF will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.
TRACKING ERROR RISK
Since an Underlying iShares Fund seeks to track an index, factors such as the fees and expenses of an Underlying iShares Fund, rounding of prices, and changes to an index and regulatory policies, may affect the adviser's ability to achieve close correlation with an index. Therefore, the return of an Underlying iShares Fund that seeks to track an index may deviate from that of the index.
FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO DISCLOSURE OF THEIR CORRESPONDING MASTER PORTFOLIOS' PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS, AND A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS AND RISKS, PLEASE REFER TO THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' SAI.
Management of the LifePath Portfolios
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Each LifePath Portfolio is a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in a
Master Portfolio that has a substantially identical investment objective,
strategies and policies as the LifePath Portfolio. The Master Portfolios, in
turn, invest in a combination of the Underlying Funds. BGFA, a registered
investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio, and
also serves as investment adviser to each Underlying Fund, with the exception of
the Underlying Money Market Fund, which invests in a Master Portfolio advised by
BGFA. BGFA manages the investing of the Master Portfolios' assets and provides
the Master Portfolios with investment guidance and policy direction in
connection with daily portfolio management, subject to the supervision of the
Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees. For its services to the Master Portfolios,
BGFA is entitled to receive an annual advisory fee of 0.35% of each Master
Portfolio's average daily net assets.
For its services to the Underlying Funds, BGFA receives fees that differ from the fees described for the LifePath Portfolios in this prospectus. BGFA provides investment advisory services for the Underlying Funds that differ from the investment advisory services it provides for the LifePath Master Portfolios. For those services, BGFA receives investment advisory fees from the Underlying Funds. In addition, BGI provides administration services to certain of the Underlying Funds, and, for those services, may receive administration fees from those Underlying Funds. BGFA has contractually agreed to waive investment advisory fees at the LifePath Master Portfolio level in an amount equal to advisory and administration fees, if any, paid by the Underlying Funds to BGFA and BGI, respectively, through April 30, 2009.
BGFA is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, which in turn is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. As of December 31, 2006, BGI and its affiliates, including BGFA, provided investment advisory services for assets in excess of $1.8 trillion. BGI, BGFA, Barclays Global Investors Services, Barclays Bank PLC and their affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in the types of securities in which the Master Portfolios invest.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory agreements with BGFA is available in each LifePath Portfolio's semi-annual report for the 6-month period ended June 30.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Dagmar Nikles, Leslie Gambon and Jim Chan (the "Portfolio Managers") are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios. Each Portfolio Manager is responsible for various functions related to portfolio management, including, but not limited to, investing cash inflows, coordinating with members of their team to focus on certain asset classes, implementing investment strategy, researching and reviewing investment strategy, and overseeing members of his or her portfolio management team with more limited responsibilities, but each Portfolio Manager has appropriate limitations on his or her authority for risk management and compliance purposes.
Ms. Nikles is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since June 2005. Ms. Nikles has been a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team since July 2003. Prior to joining BGI, Ms. Nikles received her Financial Risk Manager Certification and prior to that, Ms. Nikles was an assistant portfolio manager and analyst at Zurich Scudder Investment from 2000 to 2002.
Ms. Gambon is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since May 2007. Ms. Gambon has been a member of the
asset allocation portfolio management team since April 2007. Prior to becoming a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team, Ms. Gambon was an Active Equity Product Manager with BGI from 2001 to 2004 and in October 2004 became Head of Portfolio Management Process at BGI.
Mr. Chan is an employee of BGFA and BGI and has been one of the Portfolio Managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the LifePath Master Portfolios since May 2007. Mr. Chan has been a member of the asset allocation portfolio management team since February 2006. Prior to becoming a Portfolio Manager, Mr. Chan was a Research Analyst with BGI Americas Institutional Business from 2004 to 2006. From August 2003 through August 2005, Mr. Chan was an MBA candidate at the University of San Francisco. From December 2000 through July 2003, Mr. Chan was an engineer with Munters Proprietary Limited.
The LifePath Portfolio's SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers' ownership of shares in the LifePath Portfolios that invest in the Master Portfolios for which they are Portfolio Managers.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
BGI provides the following services, among others, as the LifePath Portfolios' Administrator:
[] Supervise the LifePath Portfolios' administrative operations;
[] Provide or cause to be provided management reporting and treasury administration services;
[] Financial reporting;
[] Legal, blue sky and tax services;
[] Preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports; and
[] Engaging and supervising shareholder servicing agents, including servicing and processing agents (together, the "Shareholder Servicing Agents"), on behalf of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI is entitled to receive fees for these services at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of each LifePath Portfolio. In addition to performing these services, BGI has agreed to bear all costs of operating the LifePath Portfolios, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution fees, certain fees and expenses related to the LifePath Portfolios' independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees, litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses.
The Shareholder Servicing Agents service individual and omnibus LifePath Portfolio accounts. In addition to serving as agents of the LifePath Portfolios for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of LifePath Portfolio shares, Shareholder Servicing Agents may provide administrative support and account services such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus LifePath Portfolio accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the LifePath Portfolios, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts. BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding the maximum fee rates approved by the LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees for those services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the LifePath Portfolios' other service providers. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for those services.
From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the LifePath Portfolios' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of LifePath Portfolio shares.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The LifePath Portfolios have adopted a Distribution Plan applicable to Class R Shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Class R is the only class that has a Distribution Plan. This plan is used to pay for distribution-related services, including ongoing compensation to selling agents. The Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of Class R's assets. Over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in Class R Shares and may cost you more than paying other types of sales arrangements. The Rule 12b-1 fees are paid at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the relevant LifePath Portfolios.
Shareholder Information
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO INVEST
To be eligible to purchase LifePath Portfolio Class R Shares, you must:
[] Invest through an employer-sponsored or individual retirement savings plan;
[] Invest the proceeds rolled over from such plan into an IRA;
[] Maintain an account with Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT"), which is the LifePath Portfolios' custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, or with one of the LifePath Portfolios' Shareholder Servicing Agents.
The LifePath Portfolios offer another class of shares (Class I Shares) with different features and expense levels, which you may be eligible to buy. Please see the LifePath Portfolios' Class I Shares prospectus for more information.
In order to invest, a completed account application form must be submitted to and processed by your Shareholder Servicing Agent or IBT and an account number assigned. You may be asked to provide information to verify your identity when opening an account.
Your Shareholder Servicing Agent may charge you a fee and may offer additional account services. Additionally, your Shareholder Servicing Agent may have procedures for placing orders for Class R Shares that differ from those of the LifePath Portfolios, such as different investment minimums or earlier trading deadlines. Please contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent directly for more information and details.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT. Invest through payroll deductions or make a direct contribution by rolling over an amount from another 401(k) plan or from a rollover IRA (make arrangements through your employer). If you are investing through a Shareholder Servicing Agent, your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
[] TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Invest through a Shareholder Servicing Agent as provided in your benefit plan documents. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Invest through an account set up with IBT or your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your purchase order to IBT and may impose an earlier deadline than the LifePath Portfolios, as described below.
You may buy LifePath Portfolio shares without paying a sales charge. Your purchase order must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any day the LifePath Portfolios are open (a "Business Day") to purchase shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day. The LifePath Portfolios are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and any day on which the NYSE is closed for regular trading.
Each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the offer and sale of its shares and reject or cancel any purchase order for any reason.
Purchases generally must be made in U.S. dollars. You may be charged for any costs incurred in connection with a purchase order that has been placed but for which the LifePath Portfolio has not received full payment.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
[] PLAN PARTICIPANT AND TAX-DEFERRED INVESTOR. Contact your plan sponsor or Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to IBT.
[] QUALIFIED BUYER. Contact your Shareholder Servicing Agent. Your Shareholder
Servicing Agent is responsible for properly transmitting your sale order to
IBT.
You may sell LifePath Portfolio shares without paying a sales charge. Your order to sell shares must be received in proper form, as determined by IBT or an intermediary pursuant to an appropriate agreement, by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day to sell shares at that day's NAV. Orders received after the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be executed on the next Business Day.
The LifePath Portfolios generally remit the proceeds from a sale the next Business Day after receiving a properly executed order to sell and no longer than seven business days after the sale. Each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to suspend your right of redemption and to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds up to seven days, as permitted under applicable law. Each LifePath Portfolio further reserves the right to automatically redeem your shares and close your account for any reason, and send you the proceeds, which would reflect the NAV on the day the LifePath Portfolio automatically redeems your shares. For example, a LifePath Portfolio may automatically redeem your shares to reimburse the LifePath Portfolio for any losses sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for your benefit that is applicable to the LifePath Portfolio's shares as provided from time to time in this Prospectus.
In addition, each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to send your redemption proceeds in the form of securities from its corresponding Master Portfolio.
Upon redemption, the identity of the holder of the account to which the proceeds are being sent may need to be verified.
CALCULATING THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS' SHARE PRICE
Each LifePath Portfolio's share price (also known as a LifePath Portfolio's NAV) is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of the LifePath Portfolio (I.E., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the LifePath Portfolio, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Each LifePath Portfolio's NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on any Business Day. If the NYSE closes early, the time for calculating each LifePath Portfolio's NAV and the deadline for share transactions will be accelerated to the earlier closing time. The NAV of each LifePath Portfolio is calculated based on the net asset value of the Master Portfolio in which the LifePath Portfolio invests. The LifePath Portfolios' SAI includes a description of the methods for valuing the Master Portfolios' investments, including a description of the circumstances in which the Master Portfolios' investments would be valued using fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO DISTRIBUTIONS
The LifePath Portfolios distribute their net investment income to shareholders quarterly. The LifePath Portfolios distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually. Distributions payable to you will be automatically reinvested in additional Class R shares of your LifePath Portfolio, unless you have elected to receive distribution payments in cash.
FREQUENT TRADING IN LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO SHARES
Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on a fund and its shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of the fund's investment portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the
implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's investment portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's NAV ("market timing").
Each LifePath Portfolio invests only in interests of its Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Master Portfolios and the LifePath Portfolios have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing.
The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing activity because the Master Portfolios' holdings are valued as of the same time that the net asset value of the Master Portfolios is calculated (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), which eliminates the potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Master Portfolios' holdings and the reflection of that change in the Master Portfolios' respective net asset values. The Master Portfolios' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the Master Portfolios are aggregated, and the process of aggregation is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the Master Portfolios' investment strategies.
The LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the LifePath Portfolios in light of the nature of the LifePath Portfolios' investment in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, as described in the preceding paragraphs, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI's ability to monitor trades that are placed by participants in plans that are shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios or other shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios that are trading through omnibus accounts maintained by intermediaries has been severely limited because BGI has not been receiving transaction information showing individual investment decisions. Upon request by the LifePath Portfolios, intermediaries are required to provide certain transaction information that may enable the LifePath Portfolios to identify trading activity that is potentially harmful to the LifePath Portfolios. The LifePath Portfolios may, but do not have the obligation to, respond to any potentially harmful trading activity that is identified. In the event any potentially harmful trading activity is identified, responses may include the imposition of trading restrictions, the rejection of purchases, or such other steps the LifePath Portfolios determine are appropriate. Intermediaries' ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of their clients may, however, be affected by legal or technological limitations.
TAXES
The following discussion regarding U.S. federal income taxes is based upon laws in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the LifePath Portfolios and their U.S. shareholders. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Please see the SAI for additional U.S. federal income tax information.
Distributions from your LifePath Portfolio's net investment income and net realized capital gains are taxable to you, whether you choose to receive them in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional LifePath Portfolio shares. The amount of taxes you owe will vary depending on your tax status and on your tax rate and the amount and character of the LifePath Portfolio's distributions to you. Normally, distributions are taxable to you when paid. However, when distributions are declared in the last three months of a year and paid in January of the next year, they are as if paid on December 31 of the prior year.
Distributions from the LifePath Portfolios generally are taxable as follows:
DISTRIBUTION TYPE TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- Qualified dividend Qualified dividend income(1)(2) income Other income ............ Ordinary income(2) Short-term capital gain . Ordinary income Long-term capital gain .. Long-term capital gain(3) |
In addition, if you sell your LifePath Portfolio shares you generally will have a taxable capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of sale proceeds that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell. In certain circumstances, a loss on the sale may be disallowed.
TRANSACTION TAX STATUS ------------------------- -------------------------------- You sell shares owned Long-term capital gain or loss for more than one year You sell shares owned Short-term capital gain or loss for one year or less |
If you buy a LifePath Portfolio's shares shortly before it makes a distribution, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in the distribution, which is subject to tax. Similarly, if you buy shares of a LifePath Portfolio that holds appreciated securities, you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase back in a taxable distribution if and when the LifePath Portfolio sells the appreciated securities and distributes the realized gain on the sale. The LifePath Portfolios have built up, or have the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation in their investments.
After the end of each year, the LifePath Portfolios will send to you a notice that tells you how much you have received in distributions during the year and their U.S. federal income tax status. You could also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes on such distributions.
In certain circumstances, you may be subject to backup withholding taxes on distributions to you from the LifePath Portfolios if you fail to provide the LifePath Portfolios with your correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number, or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are subject to backup withholding.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR TAX-EXEMPT OR FOREIGN INVESTORS OR THOSE HOLDING LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN OR IRA, WILL BE DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH INVESTOR'S TAX CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNIQUE AND BECAUSE TAX LAWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR ABOUT YOUR INVESTMENT.
MASTER/FEEDER MUTUAL FUND STRUCTURE
The LifePath Portfolios do not have their own investment adviser. Instead, each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a separate mutual fund, called a Master Portfolio, that has a substantially identical investment objective, strategies and policies as the LifePath Portfolio. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each Master Portfolio. The Master Portfolios may accept investments from other feeder funds. Certain actions involving other feeder funds, such as a substantial withdrawal, could affect the Master Portfolios and, therefore, the LifePath Portfolios.
FEEDER FUND EXPENSES
Feeder funds, including the LifePath Portfolios, bear their respective Master Portfolio's expenses in proportion to the amount of assets each invests in the Master Portfolio. Each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses and conditions.
FEEDER FUND RIGHTS
Under the master/feeder structure, the LifePath Portfolios' Board of Trustees retains the right to withdraw a LifePath Portfolio's assets from its Master Portfolio if it believes doing so is in the best interests of the LifePath Portfolio's shareholders. If the Board of Trustees decides to withdraw a LifePath Portfolio's assets, it would then consider whether the LifePath Portfolio should hire its own investment adviser, invest in another master portfolio or take other action.
FUND OF FUNDS
The Master Portfolios do not invest directly in a portfolio of securities. Instead, they invest in Underlying Funds also advised by BGFA. Each Master Portfolio may charge for its own direct expenses, in addition to bearing a pro rata share of the expenses charged by the Underlying Funds in which it invests.
Financial Highlights
The financial tables in this section are intended to help investors understand the financial performance of the Class R Shares of each LifePath Portfolio since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Class R Share of each LifePath Portfolio. The total returns in the tables represent the rate of return that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in Class R Shares of a given LifePath Portfolio, assuming reinvestment of all distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the LifePath Portfolios' financial statements, is included in the LifePath Portfolios' annual report. You may obtain copies of the annual report, at no cost, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED APR. 11, 2003(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 TO DEC. 31, 2003 --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 10.56 $ 10.55 $ 10.44 $ 9.05 ------- ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.35 0.28 0.18 0.17 Net realized and 0.53 0.14 0.45 1.39 ------- ------- ------- -------- unrealized gain TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 0.88 0.42 0.63 1.56 ------- ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.36) ( 0.31) ( 0.22) ( 0.17) Net realized gain ( 0.21) ( 0.10) ( 0.30) ( 0.00)(b) ------- -------- -------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.57) ( 0.41) ( 0.52) ( 0.17) ------- -------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 10.87 $ 10.56 $ 10.55 $ 10.44 ======= ======== ======== ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 8.52% 4.05% 6.07% 16.75%(c) ======= ======== ======== ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $13,460 $ 9,567 $ 6,064 $ 2,807 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(d) 1.03% 1.06% 1.07% 1.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.38% 1.40% 1.35% n/a reductions(d) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) 3.18% 2.51% 1.69% 1.52% Portfolio turnover 10% 11% 138% 29%(f) rate(e) |
(d) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
(f) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2003.
LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MAR. 7, 2002(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 TO DEC. 31, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 12.74 $ 12.57 $ 12.13 $ 10.67 $ 11.98 ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.38 0.29 0.18 0.16 0.13 Net realized and 0.86 0.32 0.68 1.47 ( 1.30) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 1.24 0.61 0.86 1.63 ( 1.17) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.38) ( 0.31) ( 0.21) ( 0.17) ( 0.12) Net realized gain ( 0.29) ( 0.13) ( 0.21) - ( 0.02) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.67) ( 0.44) ( 0.42) ( 0.17) ( 0.14) ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 13.31 $ 12.74 $ 12.57 $ 12.13 $ 10.67 ======= ======= ======= ======= ========= PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 9.89% 4.94% 7.23% 15.45% ( 9.72)%(b) ======= ======= ======= ======= ========= RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $52,548 $31,306 $16,957 $10,258 $ 28 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 1.02% 1.05% 1.06% 1.10% 1.58% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.36% 1.39% 1.34% n/a n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 2.87% 2.23% 1.56% 1.21% 1.84% Portfolio turnover 12% 12% 130% 23% 72%(e) rate(d) |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio for the ten months ended December 31, 2002.
LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MAR.7, 2002(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 DEC. 31, 2003 TO DEC. 31, 2002 --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 15.22 $ 14.60 $ 13.59 $ 11.44 $ 13.45 ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.37 0.27 0.19 0.17 0.11 Net realized and 1.56 0.64 1.03 2.14 ( 1.99) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- unrealized gain (loss) TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 1.93 0.91 1.22 2.31 ( 1.88) ------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.38) ( 0.29) ( 0.21) ( 0.16) ( 0.13) -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.38) ( 0.29) ( 0.21) ( 0.16) ( 0.13) -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 16.77 $ 15.22 $ 14.60 $ 13.59 $ 11.44 ======== ======= ======= ======= ========== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 12.77% 6.28% 9.01% 20.37% (14.05)%(b) ======== ======= ======= ======= ========== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $118,364 $57,525 $28,692 $17,299 $ 202 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 1.00% 1.03% 1.04% 1.10% 1.59% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.33% 1.37% 1.32% n/a n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 2.31% 1.82% 1.33% 1.26% 1.42% Portfolio turnover 16% 17% 140% 23% 67%(e) rate(d) |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio for the ten months ended December 31, 2002.
LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED APR. 8, 2003(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 TO DEC. 31, 2003 --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 15.15 $ 14.65 $ 13.94 $ 11.33 ------- ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.28 0.22 0.15 0.17 Net realized and 1.95 0.85 1.30 2.59 ------- ------- ------- -------- unrealized gain TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 2.23 1.07 1.45 2.76 ------- ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.32) ( 0.23) ( 0.16) ( 0.15) Net realized gain ( 0.44) ( 0.34) ( 0.58) - ------- ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.76) ( 0.57) ( 0.74) ( 0.15) ------- ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 16.62 $ 15.15 $ 14.65 $ 13.94 ======= ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 14.83% 7.37% 10.51% 23.85%(b) ======= ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $77,890 $39,134 $19,163 $ 6,776 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.99% 1.01% 1.04% 1.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.33% 1.35% 1.32% n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 1.84% 1.52% 1.24% 1.27% Portfolio turnover 22% 24% 138% 32%(e) rate(d) |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2003.
LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO - CLASS R SHARES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD)
PERIOD FROM YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED APR. 8, 2003(A) DEC. 31, 2006 DEC. 31, 2005 DEC. 31, 2004 TO DEC. 31, 2003 --------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- NET ASSET VALUE, $ 17.47 $ 16.37 $ 14.89 $ 11.74 ------- ------- ------- -------- BEGINNING OF PERIOD INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: Net investment income 0.25 0.19 0.16 0.17 Net realized and 2.64 1.11 1.48 3.13 ------- ------- ------- -------- unrealized gain TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT 2.89 1.30 1.64 3.30 ------- ------- ------- -------- OPERATIONS LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: Net investment income ( 0.30) ( 0.20) ( 0.16) ( 0.15) ------- ------- ------- -------- TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS ( 0.30) ( 0.20) ( 0.16) ( 0.15) ------- ------- ------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF $ 20.06 $ 17.47 $ 16.37 $ 14.89 ======= ======= ======= ======== PERIOD TOTAL RETURN 16.64% 8.01% 11.08% 27.65%(b) ======= ======= ======= ======== RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of $65,203 $34,710 $23,126 $ 14,860 period (000s) Ratio of expenses to average net assets(c) 0.98% 1.01% 1.03% 1.10% Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to expense 1.32% 1.34% 1.31% n/a reductions(c) Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(c) 1.46% 1.20% 1.06% 1.07% Portfolio turnover 29% 38% 147% 29%(e) rate(d) |
(c) Annualized for periods of less than one year. These ratios include net
expenses charged to the Master Portfolio.
(d) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio.
(e) Represents the portfolio turnover rate of the LifePath Portfolio's Master
Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Disclaimers
The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, iShares iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund and the iShares S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the iShares Trust (as used in these Disclaimers, the "Trust") or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in shares of the Trust. Standard & Poor's only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and service marks of Standard & Poor's and of the Standard & Poor's Indexes, which are determined, composed, and calculated by Standard & Poor's without regard to the Trust, BGI or BGFA. Standard & Poor's has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Standard & Poor's Indexes. Standard & Poor's is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed for sale or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Standard & Poor's has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust, or the marketing or trading of shares. Standard & Poor's does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein and Standard & Poor's shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Standard & Poor's makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Standard & Poor's makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Standard & Poor's have any liability for any lost profit or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Standard & Poor's and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Russell MidCap Index Fund and the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell Investment Group. Russell Investment Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Trust or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of outing or trading in shares of the Trust or the ability of the Russell Indexes to track general stock market performance. Russell Investment Group is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks, and trade names. The Russell Indexes on which the Funds are based are determined, composed, and calculated by Russell Investment Group without regard to the Funds, BGI or BGFA. Russell Investment Group has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell Indexes. Russell Investment Group is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Russell Investment Group has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Although Russell Investment Group obtains information for inclusion or use in the calculation of the Russell Indexes from sources that Russell Investment Group considers reliable, Russell Investment Group does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Russell Investment Group makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Russell Investment Group have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Russell Investment Group and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Trust or any
member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund particularly or the ability of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index to track general stock market performance. Cohen & Steers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI and BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Cohen & Steers and of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Cohen & Steers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers has no obligation to take the needs of BGFA, BGI or the owners of shares of the Trust into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index. Cohen & Steers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund are to be converted into cash. Cohen & Steers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein and Cohen & Steers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Cohen & Steers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, owners of shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Cohen & Steers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Cohen & Steers have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the "iShares MSCI Index Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares MSCI Index Funds particularly or the ability of the MSCI Indexes to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to BGI, BGFA or the iShares MSCI Index Funds. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI Indexes. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or the timing of the issuance or sale of such shares. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes has any obligation or liability to owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds in connection with the administration of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or the marketing or trading of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds. Although MSCI obtains information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the MSCI Indexes from sources which MSCI considers reliable, neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes guarantees the accuracy and or the completeness of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity from the use of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed hereunder or for any other use. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of or in connection with the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any express or implied warranties, and MSCI hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, any of its affiliates or any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
No purchaser, seller or holder of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote iShares without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI's permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
The iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Short Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund (collectively, the "Lehman Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Treasury Funds or the Lehman Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Lehman Brothers Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Lehman Brothers Indexes. Lehman Brothers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or the timing of prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Lehman Brothers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Lehman Brothers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Lehman Brothers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by BGI and BGFA or owners of the shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity, from the use of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Lehman Brothers have any liability for any lost profits or special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages even if notified thereof. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Lehman Brothers and BGI and BGFA.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the American Stock Exchange (the"AMEX"). The AMEX makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track bond market performance. Each Underlying Index identified herein is determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The AMEX is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Funds to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The AMEX has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Funds in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Funds.
The AMEX does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The AMEX makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The AMEX makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the AMEX have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the NYSE. The NYSE makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of any Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability
of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Underlying Indexes identified herein are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The NYSE is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of any Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The NYSE has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of any Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Fund.
The NYSE does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The NYSE makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The NYSE makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
BGFA does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein and BGFA shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein.
BGFA makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Funds, to the owners of the shares of any Fund, or to any other person or entity, from the use of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. BGFA makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BGFA have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Copies of the Prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available, without charge, upon request, by calling the number below. For more detailed information about Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust") and shares of the LifePath Portfolios, you may request a copy of the SAI. The SAI provides detailed information about the Trust and the LifePath Portfolios, and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. This means that the SAI, for legal purposes, is a part of this Prospectus. The annual and semi-annual reports discuss the LifePath Portfolios' holdings over the last fiscal year and the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the LifePath Portfolios' performance.
If you have any questions about the Trust or shares of the LifePath Portfolios or you wish to obtain the SAI or semi-annual or annual report free of charge, please:
Call: 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) E-mail: BGIFunds@seic.com Write: Barclays Global Investors Funds c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co. One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456 |
Information about a LifePath Portfolio (including its SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the LifePath Portfolios are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT ANY LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO AND ITS SHARES NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANY OTHER INFORMATION. READ AND KEEP THE PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Investment Company Act File No.: 811-07332
For more information call 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free)
BGF-PR-LPR0507
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Statement of Additional Information
Dated May 1, 2007
LifePath(Reg. TM) Retirement Portfolio
LifePath 2010 Portfolio(Reg. TM)
LifePath 2020 Portfolio(Reg. TM)
LifePath 2030 Portfolio(Reg. TM)
LifePath 2040 Portfolio(Reg. TM)
Class I and Class R Shares
Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust" or "BGIF") is an open-end, series management investment company. This combined Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") contains information about the Class I and the Class R Shares of the Trust's LifePath Retirement Portfolio, LifePath 2010 Portfolio, LifePath 2020 Portfolio, LifePath 2030 Portfolio, and LifePath 2040 Portfolio (each, a "LifePath Portfolio" and collectively, the "LifePath Portfolios"). The LifePath Portfolios were formerly named the LifePath Funds.
Each LifePath Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in a separate portfolio (each, a "Master Portfolio" and collectively, the "Master Portfolios") of Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP") that has the same investment objective as the LifePath Portfolio. Each Master Portfolio, in turn, invests in a combination of stock, bond and money market funds (the "Underlying Funds"). MIP is an open-end, series management investment company. Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA" or "Investment Adviser") serves as investment adviser to the corresponding Master Portfolio of each LifePath Portfolio and also serves as investment adviser to each of the Underlying Funds, except for the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund, which invests all of its assets in a corresponding Master Portfolio advised by BGFA. References to the investments, investment policies and risks of the LifePath Portfolios, unless otherwise indicated, should be understood as references to the investments, investment policies and risks of the corresponding Master Portfolios.
This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the current prospectuses for the Class I and Class R Shares of the LifePath Portfolios, each dated May 1, 2007 (each, a "Prospectus" and collectively, the "Prospectuses"). All terms used in this SAI that are defined in the Prospectuses have the meanings assigned in the Prospectuses. The audited financial statements for the LifePath Portfolios, which include the schedule of investments and independent auditors' report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, are hereby incorporated by reference to the LifePath Portfolios' annual reports and the Prospectuses for the Class I and the Class R Shares of the LifePath Portfolios. Copies of the Prospectuses and the Annual Reports may be obtained without charge by writing to Barclays Global Investors Funds, c/o SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, or by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free), or e-mailing the LifePath Portfolios at BGIFUNDS@seic.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ----- History of the Trust 1 Description of the LifePath 1 Portfolios and their Investments and Risks Investment Objective and 1 Policies Investment Restrictions 1 Fundamental Investment 1 Restrictions Non-Fundamental Investment 2 Restrictions Fundamental Investment 3 Restrictions of the Master Portfolios Non-Fundamental Investment 3 Restrictions of the Master Portfolios Investments and Risks of the 4 Master Portfolios Borrowing 4 Investments in Underlying Funds 4 Loans of Portfolio Securities 4 Short-Term Instruments 5 U.S. Government Obligations 5 Investments and Risks of the 5 Underlying Funds Asset-Backed and Commercial 5 Mortgage-Backed Securities Bonds 5 Borrowing 6 Convertible Securities 6 Corporate Bonds 6 Credit-Linked Securities 6 Currency Transactions 7 Diversification and 7 Concentration Equity Securities 8 Floating- and Variable-Rate 8 Obligations Foreign Securities; Emerging 8 Markets Securities Forward Commitments, 9 When-Issued Purchases and Delayed-Delivery Transactions Funding Agreements 9 Futures Contracts, Options 10 Transactions, and Swap Transactions High Yield Securities 13 Illiquid Securities 13 Inflation-Protected Obligations 13 iShares Funds 13 Investment Companies, REITs 14 Letters of Credit 14 Loan Participations and 14 Assignments |
PAGE ----- Loans of Portfolio Securities 15 Mortgage Pass-Through Securities 15 Mortgage Securities 16 Municipal Securities 17 Participation Interests 17 Ratings 17 Repurchase Agreements 17 Restricted Securities 18 Reverse Repurchase Agreements 18 Short-Term Instruments 18 Stock Index Futures and Options 18 on Stock Index Futures Unrated Investments 18 U.S. Government Obligations 19 Warrants 19 Portfolio Holdings Information 19 Service Providers 19 Third-Party Feeder LifePath 20 Portfolios Securities and Exchange 20 Commission Filings Other Public Disclosure 20 Approved Recipients 20 Management 20 Committees 22 Beneficial Equity Ownership 23 Information Ownership of Securities of 23 Certain Entities Compensation of Trustees 23 Master/Feeder Structure 24 Codes of Ethics 25 Proxy Voting Policies of the 25 Master Portfolios Shareholder Communications to 26 the Board of Trustees Control Persons and Principal 26 Holders of Securities Investment Adviser and Other 29 Service Providers Advisory Fees 29 Underlying Funds 30 Administrator 31 Shareholder Servicing Agents 32 Distributor 33 Class R Distribution Plan 33 |
PAGE ----- MIP Distribution Plan 34 Custodian 34 Transfer and Dividend 34 Disbursing Agent Independent Registered Public 34 Accounting Firm Legal Counsel 34 Portfolio Managers 35 Determination of Net Asset Value 37 Purchase, Redemption and Pricing 38 of Shares Terms of Purchase and Redemption 38 In-Kind Purchases 38 Suspension of Redemption Rights 38 or Payment of Redemption Proceeds Portfolio Transactions 38 General 38 Portfolio Turnover 39 Brokerage Commissions 39 Brokerage Commissions Paid to 39 Affiliates Securities of Regular 39 Broker-Dealers Frequent Trading in Portfolio 40 Shares Distributions and Taxes 40 Qualification as a Regulated 41 Investment Company Excise Tax 42 Capital Loss Carry-Forwards 42 Equalization Accounting 42 Investment through Master 42 Portfolios Taxation of Underlying Fund 42 Investments Taxation of Distributions 44 Sales of Portfolio Shares 45 Foreign Taxes 45 Federal Income Tax Rates 46 Backup Withholding 46 Tax-Deferred Plans 46 Corporate Shareholders 46 Foreign Shareholders 46 Capital Stock 47 Voting 48 Dividends and Distributions 48 The Master Portfolios 48 |
PAGE ----- Additional Information on the 48 LifePath Portfolios Financial Statements 49 Disclaimers 49 Appendix A-1 |
History of the Trust
The Trust was organized on December 4, 2001 as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. On August 21, 2001, the Board of Directors of Barclays Global Investors Funds, Inc. (the "Company") approved a proposal to redomicile the Company from a Maryland corporation to a Delaware statutory trust (the "Redomiciling"). Shareholders of the Company approved the Redomiciling on November 16, 2001. The Trust was established with multiple series, including the LifePath Portfolios, corresponding to, and having identical designations as, the Company's series. The Redomiciling was effected on January 11, 2002, at which time the Trust assumed the operations of the Company and adopted the Company's registration statement. Shortly thereafter, the Company was dissolved.
The Trust's principal office is located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP (as shown below), which has substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the related LifePath Portfolio. Each Master Portfolio, in turn, invests in a combination of Underlying Funds and may also invest in government securities and short-term paper. Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI"), the parent company of BGFA, has granted the Trust a non-exclusive license to use the name "LifePath." If the license agreement is terminated, the Trust, at BGI's request, will cease using the "LifePath" name.
LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO MASTER PORTFOLIO IN WHICH THE LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO INVESTS ------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio LifePath(Reg. TM) Retirement Master Portfolio LifePath 2010 Portfolio LifePath 2010 Master Portfolio(Reg. TM) LifePath 2020 Portfolio LifePath 2020 Master Portfolio(Reg. TM) LifePath 2030 Portfolio LifePath 2030 Master Portfolio(Reg. TM) LifePath 2040 Portfolio LifePath 2040 Master Portfolio(Reg. TM) |
On April 30, 2001, Class R of the LifePath Portfolios commenced operations and the existing unnamed class of shares was named "Class I." On July 1, 2001, the Company's LifePath Income, LifePath 2010, LifePath 2020, LifePath 2030 and LifePath 2040 Portfolios were renamed the LifePath Income, LifePath 2010, LifePath 2020, LifePath 2030 and LifePath 2040 Portfolios, respectively. On February 12, 2003, the Trust's LifePath Income Portfolio was renamed the LifePath Retirement Portfolio.
Description of the LifePath Portfolios and their Investments and Risks The Trust is an open-end, series management investment company. There are five Master Portfolios in which the LifePath Portfolios invest, each of which is a series of MIP. The LifePath Portfolios and the corresponding Master Portfolios in which they invest are diversified funds as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Organizations and other entities such as the LifePath Portfolios that hold beneficial interests in a Master Portfolio may be referred to herein as "feeder funds."
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES. Each LifePath Portfolio has adopted a non-fundamental investment objective, and investment policies that may be fundamental or non-fundamental. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of such LifePath Portfolio. Non-fundamental policies may be changed without shareholder approval by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust at any time.
Each LifePath Portfolio has adopted a non-fundamental investment objective that is set forth in its Prospectus. The investment objective and policies of a LifePath Portfolio determine the allocation of assets to the Underlying Funds, the degree of risk to which the LifePath Portfolio is subject and, ultimately, its performance. As with all investment companies, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of each LifePath Portfolio will be achieved.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The LifePath Portfolios are subject to the following investment restrictions, all of which are fundamental policies. Each LifePath Portfolio may not:
(1) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the
purchase and as a result thereof, the value of a Portfolio's investments in
that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the
Portfolio's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit a
Portfolio's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies,
(ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase
agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities.
(2) Purchase the securities of any single issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of a Portfolio's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Portfolio's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit a Portfolio's cash or cash items, investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other investment companies.
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder.
(4) Make loans to other parties, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans.
(5) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with a Portfolio's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting; and provided further, that the purchase by the Portfolio of securities issued by an open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Portfolio shall not constitute an underwriting for purposes of this paragraph.
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Portfolio from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, provided that (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
With respect to paragraph (3) above, the 1940 Act currently allows a LifePath Portfolio to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. With respect to paragraph (4) above, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations currently limit the percentage of a LifePath Portfolio's securities that may be loaned to one-third of the value of its total assets.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. The LifePath Portfolios are subject to the following investment restrictions, all of which are non-fundamental policies and may be changed without shareholder approval by vote of a majority of the Trustees at any time.
As a matter of non-fundamental policy:
(1) Each Portfolio may invest in shares of other open-end management investment companies, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder; provided, however, that if a LifePath Portfolio is an underlying fund and has knowledge that its beneficial interests are purchased by another investment company investor pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, it will not acquire any securities of registered open-end management investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. Other investment companies in which the LifePath Portfolios invest can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by a LifePath Portfolio.
(2) Each Portfolio may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (i) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale, (ii) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that have maturities of more than seven days, and (iii) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
(3) Each Portfolio may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, in amounts not to exceed (in the aggregate) one-third of a Portfolio's total assets. Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked to market daily. The Portfolios will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.
(4) Each Portfolio may not purchase securities on margin, but each Portfolio may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indexes, and options on futures contracts or indexes.
Notwithstanding any other investment policy or restriction (whether or not fundamental), each LifePath Portfolio may and does invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objective, policies and limitations as the LifePath Portfolio. See "Management - Master/Feeder Structure." In addition, the Underlying Funds in which the LifePath Portfolios may invest have adopted certain investment restrictions that may be different from those listed above, thereby permitting the LifePath Portfolios to engage indirectly in investment strategies that are prohibited under the restrictions listed above. The investment restrictions of each Underlying Fund are set forth in its respective SAI.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The Master Portfolios have adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies. These restrictions cannot be changed, as to a Master Portfolio, without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Master Portfolio's outstanding voting interests. The Master Portfolios may not:
(1) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the value of a Master Portfolio's investments in that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the Master Portfolio's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit a Master Portfolio's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies, (ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities;
(2) Purchase the securities of any single issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of a Master Portfolio's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Master Portfolio's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit a Master Portfolio's cash or cash items, investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other investment companies;
(3) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder;
(4) Make loans to other parties, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any orders obtained thereunder. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans;
(5) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with a Master Portfolio's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting; and provided further, that the purchase by the Master Portfolio of securities issued by an open-end management investment company, or a series thereof, with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Master Portfolio shall not constitute an underwriting for purposes of this paragraph;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Master Portfolio from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business); and
(7) Purchase or sell commodities, provided that (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.
With respect to paragraph (3) above, the 1940 Act currently allows a Master Portfolio to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. With respect to paragraph (4) above, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations currently limit the percentage of a Master Portfolio's securities that may be loaned to one-third of the value of its total assets.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The Master
Portfolios have adopted the following investment restrictions as
non-fundamental policies. These restrictions may be changed without
interestholder approval by vote of a majority of the Trustees of MIP, at any
time. The Master Portfolios are subject to the following investment
restrictions, all of which are non-fundamental policies.
(1) Each Master Portfolio may invest in shares of other open-end management investment companies, subject to the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptive orders obtained thereunder; provided, however, that a Master Portfolio, if it has knowledge that its beneficial interests are purchased by another investment company investor pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, will not acquire any securities of registered open-end management investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act. Other investment companies in which a Master Portfolio invests can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by such Master Portfolio.
(2) Each Master Portfolio may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (a) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale, (b) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that have maturities of more than seven days, and (c) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.
(3) Each Master Portfolio may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, in amounts not to exceed (in the aggregate) one-third of a Master Portfolio's total assets. Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked to market daily. The Master Portfolios will not enter into any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of longer than one year.
(4) Each Master Portfolio may not purchase securities on margin, but each Master Portfolio may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those related to indexes, and options on futures contracts or indexes.
Investments and Risks of the Master Portfolios
BORROWING. The Master Portfolios may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests. Borrowing involves special risk considerations. Interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds (or on the assets that were retained rather than sold to meet the needs for which funds were borrowed). Under adverse market conditions, a Master Portfolio might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when investment considerations would not favor such sales. Reverse repurchase agreements, short sales not against the box, dollar roll transactions and other similar investments that involve a form of leverage (I.E., risk of gain or loss higher than the amount invested) have characteristics similar to borrowings. The Master Portfolios segregate liquid assets in connection with those types of transactions.
INVESTMENTS IN UNDERLYING FUNDS. To implement its asset allocation strategy, each Master Portfolio invests its assets in a combination of equity securities, bond and money market funds (the "Underlying Funds"). Each Underlying Fund invests directly in portfolio securities, except that the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund invests all its assets in a corresponding Master Portfolio.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Each Master Portfolio may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers, including borrowers affiliated with BGFA. The borrowers provide collateral that is maintained in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. A Master Portfolio may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned. Each Master Portfolio receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Master Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Master Portfolio is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of each lending Master Portfolio or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, including those managed by BGFA.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (I.E., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process), "gap" risk (I.E., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Master Portfolio has agreed to pay a borrower), and credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. In the event a borrower do not return a Master Portfolio's securities as agreed, the Master Portfolio may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities.
A Master Portfolio may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to a securities lending agent who administers the lending program in accordance with guidelines approved by the Master Portfolio's Board of Trustees. BGI acts as securities lending agent for the Master Portfolios, subject to the overall supervision of BGFA. BGI receives a portion of the revenues generated by securities lending activities as compensation for its services in this regard.
SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. The Master Portfolios may invest in various money market instruments. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit ("CDs"), bankers' acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of domestic banks (including foreign branches); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) non-convertible corporate debt securities (E.G., bonds and debentures); (v) repurchase agreements; and (vi) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Master Portfolio. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market mutual funds, including those managed by BGFA. See "Investments in Underlying Funds" above.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. The Master Portfolios may invest in various types of U.S. government obligations. A U.S. government obligation is a type of bond. U.S. government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations (i) may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (as with U.S. Treasury obligations and Government National Mortgage Association (" GNMA") certificates) or (ii) may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself (as with Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), or Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") notes). In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.
Investments and Risks of the Underlying Funds
Set forth below is more detailed information regarding types of instruments in which the Underlying Funds may invest, strategies BGFA may employ in pursuit of an Underlying Fund's investment objective, and related risks.
ASSET-BACKED AND COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in asset-backed and commercial mortgaged-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by installment contracts, credit-card receivables or other assets. Commercial mortgage-backed securities are securities backed by commercial real estate properties. Both asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities represent interests in "pools" of assets in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are made on a regular basis. The payments are, in effect, "passed through" to the holder of the securities (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). The average life of asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities varies with the maturities of the underlying instruments and, as a result of prepayments, can often be less than the original maturity of the assets underlying the securities. For this and other reasons, an asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed security's stated maturity may be shortened, and the security's total return may be difficult to predict precisely. BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund may invest in such securities up to the limits prescribed by Rule 2a-7 and other provisions of the 1940 Act.
BONDS. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company or a governmental unit or, in some cases, a non-U.S. entity. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond's face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date. An issuer may have the right to redeem or "call" a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a "coupon" rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bond's yield (income as a percent of the bond's current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of "floating-rate" or "variable-rate" bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. See "Floating- and Variable-Rate Obligations"
below. An Underlying Fund may treat a bond as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation's earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer's general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).
BORROWING. Each Underlying Fund may borrow in the same manner as the Master Portfolios, as described above.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase fixed-income convertible securities, such as bonds or preferred stock, which may be converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a specified number of shares of common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities are senior to common stock in a corporation's capital structure, but usually are subordinated to non-convertible debt securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income from a common stock but lower than that afforded by a non-convertible debt security), a convertible security also affords an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible.
In general, the market value of a convertible security is the higher of its "investment value" (I.E., its value as a fixed-income security) or its "conversion value" (I.E., the value of the underlying shares of common stock if the security is converted). As a fixed-income security, the market value of a convertible security generally increases when interest rates decline and generally decreases when interest rates rise. However, the price of a convertible security also is influenced by the market value of the security's underlying common stock. Thus, the price of a convertible security generally increases as the market value of the underlying stock increases and generally decreases as the market value of the underlying stock declines. Investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in the common stock of the same issuer.
CORPORATE BONDS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in investment grade corporate bonds. The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the security and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation's performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.
CREDIT-LINKED SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in credit-linked securities. Credit-linked securities are securities that are collateralized usually by one of more credit default swaps on corporate credits and, in some instances, by government securities or similar low risk assets. As an investor in credit-linked securities, an Underlying Fund has the right to receive periodic interest payments from the issuer of the credit-linked security at an agreed-upon interest rate, and, subject to certain conditions, a return of principal at the maturity date.
Credit-linked securities are typically privately negotiated transactions between two or more parties. The issuer of the credit-linked security will usually be a financial institution or a special purpose vehicle established by a financial institution. An Underlying Fund bears the risk that the issuer of the credit-linked security will default or become bankrupt. An Underlying Fund bears the risk of loss of its principal investment, and the periodic interest payments expected to be received for the duration of its investment in the credit-linked security.
Credit-linked securities are also subject to the credit risk of the corporate issuers underlying the credit default swaps. If one or more of the credit events agreed upon in the credit default swap occurs with respect to one or more of the underlying corporate issuers and the credit default swap is physically-settled, an Underlying Fund may receive physical delivery of the security or loan that is subject to the relevant credit event, and the Underlying Fund's principal investment would be reduced by the corresponding face value of the security or loan that is the subject of the credit event. In instances where the underlying credit default swap is cash-settled on the occurrence of a credit event, an Underlying Fund's principal investment would be reduced typically by the face value of the security or loan in respect of which the applicable credit event has occurred, and the Underlying Fund would not receive physical delivery of the loan or security that was the subject of the relevant credit event.
The market for credit-linked securities may be, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Indeed, often credit-linked securities are subject to significant restrictions on transfer thereby enhancing the illiquidity of such securities. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for credit-linked securities. In certain cases, a market price for a credit-linked security may not be available. The value of the credit-linked security will typically increase or decrease with any change in value of the underlying collateral, if any, held by the issuer and the credit default swap. Further, in cases where the credit-linked security is structured such that the payments to an Underlying Fund are based on amounts received in respect of, or the value of
performance of, any reference obligation specified in the terms of the relevant credit default swap, fluctuations in the value of such reference obligation or the performance of the related reference entity may affect the value of the credit-linked security.
An investment in credit-linked securities involves reliance on the counterparty to the swap entered into with the issuer to make periodic payments to the issuer under the terms of the credit default swap. Any delay or cessation in the making of such payments may be expected in certain instances to result in delays or reductions in payments to an Underlying Fund as investor in such credit-linked securities. Additionally, credit-linked securities are typically structured as limited recourse obligations of the issuer of the securities such that the securities issued will usually be obligations solely of the issuer and will not be obligations or responsibilities of any other person.
CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. Those Underlying Funds that may engage in currency transactions do not expect to engage in currency transactions for the purpose of hedging against declines in the value of the Funds' assets that are denominated in a foreign currency. The Funds may enter into foreign currency forward and foreign currency futures contracts to facilitate local securities settlements or to protect against currency exposure in connection with its distributions to shareholders, but may not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.
A forward currency contract is 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. A currency futures contract is a contract involving an obligation to deliver or acquire the specified amount of a specific currency, at a specified price and at a specified future time. Futures contracts may be settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by the sale and delivery of the underlying currency.
Foreign exchange transactions involve a significant degree of risk and the markets in which foreign exchange transactions are effected are highly volatile, highly specialized and highly technical. Significant changes, including changes in liquidity prices, can occur in such markets within very short periods of time, often within minutes. Foreign exchange trading risks include, but are not limited to, exchange rate risk, maturity gap, interest rate risk, and potential interference by foreign governments through regulation of local exchange markets, foreign investment or particular transactions in foreign currency. If BGFA utilizes foreign exchange transactions at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions, trends or correlations incorrectly, foreign exchange transactions may not serve their intended purpose of improving the correlation of an Underlying Fund's return with the performance of its underlying index and may lower the Underlying Fund's return. An Underlying Fund could experience losses if the value of its currency forwards, options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments or if it could not close out its positions because of an illiquid market. In addition, an Underlying Fund could incur transaction costs, including trading commissions, in connection with certain foreign currency transactions.
DIVERSIFICATION AND CONCENTRATION. Certain of the Underlying Funds are "diversified funds." A diversified fund is one that, with respect to 75% of its total assets (excluding cash and cash items, government securities, and securities of other investment companies), does not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer and does not acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. The remaining 25% of a diversified Fund's assets may be invested in any manner.
Other Underlying Funds are classified as "non-diversified" for purposes of the 1940 Act. A "non-diversified" classification means that an Underlying Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The securities of a particular issuer may dominate the Underlying Fund's underlying index and, consequently, the Underlying Fund's investment portfolio. This may adversely affect the Underlying Fund's performance or subject the Underlying Fund's shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by more diversified investment companies.
In addition, an Underlying Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries. The securities of issuers in particular industries may dominate the Underlying Fund's underlying index and consequently the Underlying Fund's investment portfolio. This may adversely affect the Underlying Fund's performance or subject the Underlying Fund's shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by less concentrated investment companies.
Each Underlying Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a "regulated investment company" for purposes of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "IRC"), and to relieve the Underlying Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the IRC may limit the investment flexibility of an Underlying Fund and make it less likely that the Underlying Fund will meet its investment objective.
EQUITY SECURITIES. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. The market price of equity securities may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting equity securities markets generally; particular industries, sectors or geographic regions represented in those markets; or individual issuers. The types of developments that may affect an issuer of an equity security include management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer's goods or services. Common and preferred stock represent equity or ownership interests in an issuer. Preferred stock, however, pays dividends at a specified rate and has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
FLOATING- AND VARIABLE-RATE OBLIGATIONS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase debt instruments with interest rates that are periodically adjusted at specified intervals or whenever a benchmark rate or index changes. The floating- and variable-rate instruments that the Underlying Funds may purchase include certificates of participation in such instruments. These adjustments generally limit the increase or decrease in the amount of interest received on the debt instruments. Floating- and variable-rate instruments are subject to interest-rate risk and credit risk.
Certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase floating- and variable-rate obligations. Those Underlying Funds may purchase floating- and variable-rate demand notes and bonds, which are obligations ordinarily having stated maturities in excess of thirteen months, but which permit the holder to demand payment of principal at any time, or at specified intervals not exceeding 397 days, as determined in accordance with Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act. Variable-rate demand notes include master demand notes. Master demand notes are obligations that permit an Underlying Fund to invest fluctuating amounts, which may change daily without penalty, pursuant to direct arrangements between the Underlying Fund, as lender, and the borrower. The interest rates on these notes fluctuate from time to time. The issuer of such obligations ordinarily has a corresponding right, after a given period, to prepay in its discretion the outstanding principal amount of the obligations plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days' notice to the holders of such obligations. The interest rate on a floating-rate demand obligation is based on a known lending rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted automatically each time such rate is adjusted. The interest rate on a variable-rate demand obligation is adjusted automatically at specified intervals. Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements provided by banks.
These obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower. There may not be an established secondary market for these obligations, although they are redeemable at face value. Accordingly, where these obligations are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support arrangements, an Underlying Fund's right to redeem is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. Such obligations frequently are not rated by credit rating agencies and an Underlying Fund may invest in obligations that are not so rated only if BGFA determines that at the time of investment the obligations are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Underlying Fund may invest. BGFA, on behalf of an Underlying Fund, considers on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuers of the floating- and variable-rate demand obligations in the Underlying Fund's portfolio.
FOREIGN SECURITIES; EMERGING MARKETS SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in certain securities of non-U.S. issuers. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or potentially confiscatory taxation or war, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, potential restrictions of the flow of international capital, generally less liquid and less efficient securities markets, generally greater price volatility, less publicly available information about issuers, the imposition of withholding or other taxes, higher transaction and custody costs, delays and risks attendant in settlement procedures, difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations, lesser liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization of most non-U.S. securities markets, more substantial government interference with the economy and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Foreign issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy with respect to growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions. In addition, changes in foreign exchange rates also will affect the value of securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES AND BANKS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities that are determined by BGFA to be of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Underlying Fund may invest. Certain of the Underlying Funds may also invest in debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to promote
economic reconstruction or development and international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. The percentage of an Underlying Fund's assets invested in obligations of foreign governments and supranational entities will vary depending on the relative yields of such securities, the economic and financial markets of the countries in which the investments are made and the interest rate climate of such countries.
Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest a portion of its total assets in high-quality, short-term (one year or less) debt obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks or U.S. branches of foreign banks that are denominated in and pay interest in U.S. dollars.
Certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase publicly traded common stocks of foreign corporations. To the extent an Underlying Fund invests in securities of foreign issuers, the Underlying Fund's investment in such securities may also be in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") (collectively, "Depositary Receipts"). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust company, that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. For ADRs, the depositary is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depositary may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. An Underlying Fund may invest in Depositary Receipts through "sponsored" or "unsponsored" facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute interestholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.
EMERGING MARKETS. Some foreign markets in which the Underlying Funds invest are considered to be emerging markets. Investment in these emerging markets subjects an Underlying Fund to a greater risk of loss than investments in a developed market. This is due to, among other things, greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, greater risk of market shut down and more governmental limitations on foreign investment policy than those typically found in a developed market.
FORWARD COMMITMENTS, WHEN-ISSUED PURCHASES AND DELAYED-DELIVERY
TRANSACTIONS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase or sell securities
on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and make contracts to purchase or
sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement
time. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or
forward commitment basis involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to
be purchased declines, or the value of the security to be sold increases,
before the settlement date. Although an Underlying Fund will generally purchase
securities with the intention of acquiring them, the Underlying Fund may
dispose of securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or a forward
commitment basis before settlement when deemed appropriate by BGFA.
FUNDING AGREEMENTS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in short-term funding agreements. A funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates the issuer to pay a guaranteed rate of interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser.
Funding agreements will also guarantee the return of principal and may guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement has a fixed maturity and may have either a fixed-, variable- or floating-interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed for a fixed time period. An Underlying Fund will purchase short-term funding agreements only from banks and insurance companies that, at the time of purchase, are rated in one of the three highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization ("NRSRO").
The secondary market, if any, for these funding agreements is limited; thus, such investments purchased by an Underlying Fund may be treated as illiquid. If a funding agreement is determined to be illiquid it will be valued at its fair market value as determined by procedures approved by the Underlying Fund's Board of Trustees.
FUTURES CONTRACTS, OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS, AND SWAP TRANSACTIONS. FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS. The Underlying Funds may enter into futures contracts and may purchase and write (I.E., sell) options. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties, a buyer and a seller, to exchange a particular commodity or financial instrument at a specific price on a specific date in the future. The seller of a futures contract may never actually deliver the commodity or financial instrument. Instead, the buyer and the seller settle the difference between the contract price and the market price in cash on the agreed-upon date, with the buyer paying the difference if the actual price is lower than the contract price and the seller paying the difference if the actual price is higher. Futures contracts are standardized and traded on exchanges, where the exchange serves as the ultimate counterparty for all contracts. Consequently, the primary credit risk on futures contracts is the creditworthiness of the exchange. Futures contracts are subject to market risk (I.E., exposure to adverse price changes). In addition, in employing futures contracts as a hedge against cash market price volatility, futures prices may correlate imperfectly with the prices of securities held by an Underlying Fund. Similarly, in employing futures contracts as a substitute for purchasing the designated underlying securities, the performance of the futures contract may correlate imperfectly with the performance of the direct investments for which the futures contract is a substitute. Although each Underlying Funds intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular contract at any particular time. The Underlying Funds segregate liquid assets in connection with entering into futures contracts.
An option transaction generally involves a right, which may or may not be exercised, to buy or sell a security, commodity or financial instrument at a particular price on a specified future date. Options may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter ("OTC options"). Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally are less liquid and involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchange where they are traded. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular options at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instrument's current price.
Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities or currencies except that options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon the exercise of an option on a futures contract, which is exchange-traded, the writer of the option delivers to the holder of the option the futures position and the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related to the purchase of options on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option is fixed at the time of sale, there are no daily cash payments to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option may change daily and that change would be reflected in the net asset value of an Underlying Fund. The potential for loss related to writing options is unlimited.
Exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options and futures contracts, and may halt trading if a contract's price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require an Underlying Fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of change in its value. As a result, an Underlying Fund's access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions could also be impaired. In addition, if it is not possible, or if an Underlying Fund determines not to close a position in anticipation of adverse price movements, the Underlying Fund will be required to make daily cash payments on variation margin. The Underlying Funds segregate liquid assets in connection with futures contracts.
By purchasing a put option, an Underlying Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, an Underlying Fund pays the current market price for the option (the "option premium"). Options have various types of underlying instruments, including specific securities, indexes of securities prices, and futures contracts. As a purchaser, an Underlying Fund may terminate its position in a put option by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If an Underlying Fund allows the option to expire, the Underlying Fund will lose the entire premium. If an Underlying Fund exercises the option, the Underlying Fund completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. An Underlying Fund may also terminate a put option by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
As the buyer of a typical put option, an Underlying Fund can expect to realize a gain if security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, an Underlying Fund, as the put buyer, can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium, plus related transactions costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
As the writer of a put or call option, an Underlying Fund takes the opposite side of the transaction from the option's purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, an Underlying Fund (as the writer) assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for the option's underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. An Underlying Fund (as the writer) may seek to terminate a position in a put option before exercise by closing out the option in the secondary market at its current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a put option, however, an Underlying Fund must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes. When writing an option on a futures contract, an Underlying Fund will be required to make margin payments to a futures commission merchant.
If securities prices rise, an Underlying Fund, as a put writer, would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remained the same over time, it is likely that an Underlying Fund would also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, an Underlying Fund would expect to suffer a loss. This loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the underlying instruments directly, however, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates an Underlying Fund to sell or deliver the option's underlying instrument, in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, an Underlying Fund, as a call writer, mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same time, because an Underlying Fund must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, the Underlying Fund would give up some ability to participate in security price increases.
Each Underlying Fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the "Commodity Exchange Act") (except that in the case of the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund, the filing was made by the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund's corresponding Master Portfolio) and, therefore, the Underlying Funds are not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Each Underlying Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options and futures contracts and other derivative investments which are not presently contemplated for use by the Underlying Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Underlying Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Underlying Fund.
An Underlying Fund may invest in index futures and options on index futures as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. Each Underlying Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts on the index for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.
An Underlying Fund may also invest in interest-rate futures contracts and options on interest-rate futures contracts as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. An Underlying Fund may also sell options on interest-rate futures contracts as part of closing purchase transactions to terminate its options positions. No assurance can be given that such closing transactions can be effected or the degree of correlation between price movements in the options on interest rate futures and price movements in an Underlying Fund's portfolio securities which are the subject of the transaction.
SWAP TRANSACTIONS. An Underlying Fund may enter into swaps, including, but not limited to, interest-rate, index and credit default swaps. Swap transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. If an Underlying Fund enters into a swap transaction, cash or securities may be posted by or to the Underlying Fund as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, an Underlying Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Upon early termination of a swap agreement due to an event of default or termination event with respect to an Underlying Fund or other party, the risk of loss to the
Underlying Fund would generally be limited to the net amount of payments that the Underlying Fund is contractually obligated to make if, after exercising in accordance with the swap agreement the rights with respect to early close-out of the swap transaction(s), it is determined that the Underlying Fund would be obligated to make a net payment with respect to the swap transaction(s). In the event the other party to the swap transaction(s) were to owe a net amount to an Underlying Fund upon an early termination of the swap agreement as described above, the Underlying Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss in the event that any collateral held by the Underlying Fund would be insufficient. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with conventional securities transactions. Certain types of swaps are described in greater detail below. The Underlying Funds segregate liquid assets in connection with transactions in swaps, including each type of swap described in greater detail below.
Interest-rate swaps involve the exchange by an Underlying Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (for example, an exchange of floating-rate payments or fixed-rate payments). Index swaps (sometimes referred to as total return swaps) involve the exchange by an Underlying Fund with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an index of securities or a portion of an index of securities that usually include, but are not limited to, dividends or income. In each case, the exchange of commitments can involve payments to be made in the same currency or in different currencies. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, an Underlying Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions.
A credit default swap is a contract between two parties which transfers the credit risk of an entity (the "reference entity") for a defined period whereby if there is a Credit Event then the seller of protection pays a predetermined amount to the buyer of protection. A "Credit Event" is commonly defined as the reference entity's (a) failing to pay principal or interest on time, (b) restructuring its debt, or (c) accelerating its debt, or (d) entering bankruptcy. The buyer of credit protection pays a premium to the seller of credit protection until the earlier of a Credit Event or the scheduled termination date of the credit default swap. Credit default swaps can be used to implement BGFA's view that a particular credit, or group of credits, will experience credit improvement. In the case of expected credit improvement, an Underlying Fund may sell credit default protection in which it receives a premium to take on the risk. In such an instance, the obligation of an Underlying Fund to make payments upon the occurrence of a Credit Event creates leveraged exposure to the credit risk of the referenced entity. An Underlying Fund may also buy credit default protection with respect to a reference entity if, in the judgment of BGFA, there is a high likelihood of credit deterioration. In such instance, an Underlying Fund will pay a premium regardless of whether there is a Credit Event. The credit default swap market in high yield securities is comparatively new and rapidly evolving compared to the credit default swap market for more seasoned and liquid investment-grade securities creating the risk that the newer markets will be less liquid and it may be difficult to exit or enter into a particular transaction. In the event of counterparty default, an Underlying Fund would have rights solely against the counterparty and will have no recourse against the reference entity as a result of the counterparty default.
In a cash-settled credit default swap where an Underlying Fund is buying protection, the Underlying Fund makes a stream of fixed payments to the counterparty in exchange for the right to receive compensation for the loss in market value of the designated obligation that is being hedged, in the event the reference entity experiences a Credit Event. In a cash-settled credit default swap where an Underlying Fund is selling protection, the Underlying Fund would be compensated for assuming the transfer of credit risk from the counterparty by receiving the fixed premium over the life of the transaction.
Alternatively, if the transaction were to be physically settled, the counterparty, as seller of protection, would agree that if a specified Credit Event occurs, it would take delivery of an obligation specified by an Underlying Fund and pay to the Underlying Fund an amount equal to the notional amount of the transaction. In exchange for this risk protection, an Underlying Fund would pay the counterparty a fixed premium over the specified life of the credit default swap. In instances where an Underlying Fund sells protection, the Underlying Fund would be compensated for assuming the transfer of credit risk from the counterparty by receiving a fixed premium over the life of the credit default swap. An Underlying Fund would be required to compensate the counterparty for the loss in market value of the designated obligation if the reference entity suffered a Credit Event and the credit default swap were to be cash-settled. In the event that the transaction were to be physically settled on the occurrence of a specified Credit Event with respect to the reference entity, an Underlying Fund would be required to take physical delivery of an obligation specified at the time of the occurrence of the relevant Credit Event and would pay to the counterparty an amount equal to the notional amount of the transaction.
An Underlying Fund may also write (sell) and purchase put and call options on swaps. An option on a swap (commonly referred to as a "swaption") is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new swap transaction at some designated future time on specified terms as described in the swaption. Depending on
the terms of the particular swaption, an Underlying Fund may incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When an Underlying Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid if it decides to let the swaption expire unexercised. When an Underlying Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the swaption, the Underlying Fund becomes obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
HIGH YIELD SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in high-yield securities. These securities are generally not exchange traded and, as a result, trade in a smaller secondary market than exchange-traded bonds. In addition, certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in bonds of issuers that do not have publicly traded equity securities, making it more difficult to hedge the risks associated with such investments. Investing in high yield debt securities involves risks that are greater than the risks of investing in higher quality debt securities. These risks include: (i) changes in credit status, including weaker overall credit conditions of issuers and risks of default; (ii) industry, market and economic risk; (iii) interest rate fluctuations; and (iv) greater price variability and credit risks of certain high yield securities such as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities. While these risks provide the opportunity for maximizing return over time, they may result in greater upward and downward movement of the value of an Underlying Fund's portfolio. Furthermore, the value of high yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions than is the case for higher quality securities. The market values of certain of these lower-rated and unrated debt securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates, and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. Adverse market, credit or economic conditions could make it difficult at certain times to sell certain high yield securities held by an Underlying Fund.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest up to 15% (except that BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund may invest only up to 10%) of the value of their respective net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with their respective investment objectives. Such securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as privately issued securities and other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, floating- and variable-rate demand obligations as to which an Underlying Fund cannot exercise a demand feature on not more than seven days' notice and as to which there is no secondary market and repurchase agreements providing for settlement more than seven days after notice.
INFLATION-PROTECTED OBLIGATIONS. Certain of the Underlying Funds invest almost exclusively in inflation-protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as "TIPS." TIPS are a type of U.S. government obligation issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation-a sustained increase in prices that erodes the purchasing power of money. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the consumer price index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.
ISHARES FUNDS. The iShares Funds (the "Underlying iShares Funds") and the other
Underlying Funds in which the Master Portfolios were invested as of March 31,
2007 are listed below under "Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers".
Each iShares Fund is a type of investment company referred to as an
exchange-traded fund ("ETF"). Each iShares Fund is designed to track a
particular index and is advised by BGFA. Shares of the Underlying iShares Funds
are listed for trading on the national securities exchanges and trade
throughout the day on those exchanges and other secondary markets. There can be
no assurance that the requirements of the national securities exchanges
necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Underlying iShares Funds
will continue to be met. A national securities exchange may, but is not
required to, remove the shares of the Underlying iShares Funds from listing if
(1) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of
trading of an Underlying iShares Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial
holders of the shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (2) the value of
the Underlying iShares Fund's underlying index is no longer calculated or
available, or (3) any other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the
opinion of the national securities exchange, makes further dealings on the
national securities exchange inadvisable. A national securities exchange will
remove the shares of an Underlying iShares Fund from listing and trading upon
termination of the Underlying iShares Fund. As in the case of other
publicly-traded securities, brokers' commissions on transactions will be based
on negotiated commission rates at customary levels. An investment in an ETF
generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in an open-end
investment company that is not exchange traded that has the same investment
objectives, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within
a wide range, and an Underlying Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if
the prices of the securities held by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are
subject to the following risks that do not apply to an open-end investment
company that is not exchange-traded: (i) the market price of the ETF's shares
may trade at a discount to their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF's shares may be halted if the listing exchange's officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide "circuit breakers" (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES, REITS. The Underlying Funds may invest in the securities of other investment companies (including money market funds) and certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in equity securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs") to the extent allowed by law. Under the 1940 Act, an Underlying Fund's investment in investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Underlying Fund's total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Underlying Fund's total assets of investment companies in the aggregate. To the extent allowed by law or regulation, each Underlying Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies that are money market funds, including those advised by BGFA or otherwise affiliated with BGFA, in excess of the limits discussed above. Other investment companies in which an Underlying Fund invests can be expected to charge fees for operating expenses, such as investment advisory and administration fees, that would be in addition to those charged by the Underlying Fund.
An Underlying Fund may purchase shares of ETFs. An Underlying Fund may purchase ETF shares for the same reason it would purchase (and as an alternative to purchasing) futures contracts - to obtain relatively low-cost exposure to the stock market while maintaining flexibility to meet the liquidity needs of the Underlying Fund. ETF shares enjoy several advantages over futures. Depending on the market, the holding period, and other factors, ETF shares can be less costly than futures. In addition, ETF shares can be purchased for smaller sums and offer exposure to market sectors and styles for which there is no suitable or liquid futures contract. An Underlying Fund may also purchase ETF shares for other purposes, including improving its ability to track its underlying index. An Underlying Fund may invest in shares of ETFs that are advised by BGFA.
The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of other iShares Funds, which are ETFs advised by BGFA that seek to track the performance of equity securities in constituent countries of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. BGFA will not charge advisory fees on that portion of the iShares MSCI Emerging Market Index Fund's assets invested in shares of other iShares Funds.
An investment in an iShares Fund that invests in foreign countries involves risks similar to those of investing in a broad-based portfolio of equity securities traded on exchanges in the respective countries covered by the individual iShares Fund. These risks include market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. Investing in securities issued by companies domiciled in countries other than the domicile of the investor and denominated in currencies other than an investor's local currency entails certain considerations and risks not typically encountered by the investor in making investments in its home country and in that country's currency. See "Foreign Securities; Emerging Markets" above.
LETTERS OF CREDIT. Certain of the debt obligations (including municipal securities, certificates of participation, commercial paper and other short-term obligations) that certain of the Underlying Funds may purchase may be backed by an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit of a bank, savings and loan association or insurance company that assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer. Only banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies that, in the opinion of BGFA, are of comparable quality to issuers of other permitted investments of an Underlying Fund may be used for letter of credit-backed investments.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. An Underlying Fund may purchase interests in loan participations that typically represent direct participation in a loan to a corporate borrower, and generally are offered by an intermediary bank or other financial institution or lending syndicate. Under these loan participation arrangements, an Underlying Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled from the bank selling the loan participation upon receipt by the bank of the payments from the borrower. The borrower in the underlying loan will be deemed to be the issuer of the participation interest except to the extent an Underlying Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank that sold the loan participation. Interests in loan participations in which an Underlying Fund may invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service. An Underlying Fund will invest in loan participations that are not rated only if BGFA determines that at the time of the investment the interests in loan participations are of comparable quality to the other instruments in which the Underlying Fund may invest.
Because the bank issuing the loan participation does not guarantee the participation in any way, the participation is subject to the credit risks associated with the underlying corporate borrower. In addition, it may be necessary, under the terms of the loan participation, for an Underlying Fund to assert its rights against the underlying corporate borrower, in the event that the underlying corporate borrower should fail to pay principal and interest when due. Thus, an Underlying Fund could be subject to delays, expenses, and risks, which are greater than those that would have been involved if the Underlying Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower.
An Underlying Fund may also assume the credit risk associated with an interposed bank or other financial intermediary. In the case of a loan that is administered by an agent bank acting as agent for all holders, the agent bank administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the agent bank is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the corporate borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions which are parties to the loan agreement. Unless, under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness, an Underlying Fund has direct recourse against the corporate borrower, the Underlying Fund may have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies against a corporate borrower.
A financial institution's employment as agent bank might be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement should remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of an Underlying Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank's general creditors, the Underlying Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (E.G., an insurance company or governmental agency) similar risks may arise.
Moreover, under the terms of the loan participation, an Underlying Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the issuing bank (rather than of the underlying corporate borrower), so that the Underlying Fund also may be subject to the risk that the issuing bank may become insolvent. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, the loan participation might be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the issuing bank. If an Underlying Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Underlying Fund's net asset value and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer an Underlying Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower's obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated.
An Underlying Fund may invest in loan participations of below investment-grade quality. Indebtedness of companies whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks, and may be highly speculative. Some companies may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Consequently, when investing in indebtedness of companies with poor credit, an Underlying Fund bears a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested.
Loans and other types of direct indebtedness may be subject to restrictions on resale. In addition, the secondary market, if any, for loans and other types of direct indebtedness may be limited; thus, loans and other types of direct indebtedness purchased by an Underlying Fund may be treated as illiquid.
Investments in loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution's interests with respect to the loan may involve additional risks to an Underlying Fund. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, an Underlying Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, an Underlying Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, an Underlying Fund relies on BGFA's research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Underlying Fund.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. Each Underlying Fund may lend portfolio securities in the same manner as the Master Portfolios, as described above.
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in mortgage pass-through securities which are a category of pass-through securities backed by pools of mortgages and issued by the GNMA, or by one of several U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, such as the FNMA, or FHLMC, or FHLBs. In the basic mortgage pass-through structure, mortgages with similar issuer, term and coupon characteristics are collected and aggregated into a "pool" consisting of multiple mortgage loans. The pool is assigned a CUSIP number and undivided interests in the pool are traded and sold as pass-through
securities. The holder of the security is entitled to a pro rata share of principal and interest payments (including unscheduled prepayments) from the pool of mortgage loans.
A significant portion of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index (the "Lehman Aggregate Index") (37.76%, as of March 31, 2007) represents the U.S. agency mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market. Therefore, a substantial portion of the iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund is invested to seek exposure to a representative sample of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities. The portion of the Lehman Aggregate Index representing the mortgage pass-through segment of the U.S. investment grade bond market is comprised of multiple pools of mortgage pass-through securities.
An investment in a specific pool of pass-through securities requires an analysis of the specific prepayment risk of mortgages within the covered pool (since mortgagors typically have the option to prepay their loans). The level of prepayments on a pool of mortgage securities is difficult to predict and can impact the subsequent cash flows and value of the mortgage pool. In addition, when trading specific mortgage pools, precise execution, delivery and settlement arrangements must be negotiated for each transaction. These factors combine to make trading in mortgage pools somewhat cumbersome. For these and other reasons, an Underlying Fund may obtain exposure to U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities primarily through the use of "to-be-announced" or "TBA transactions." "TBA" refers to a commonly used mechanism for the forward settlement of U.S. agency mortgage pass-through securities, and not to a separate type of mortgage-backed security. Most transactions in mortgage pass-through securities occur through the use of TBA transactions. TBA transactions generally are conducted in accordance with widely-accepted guidelines that establish commonly observed terms and conditions for execution, settlement and delivery. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller decide on general trade parameters, such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to the settlement date. An Underlying Fund may use TBA transactions in several ways. For example, an Underlying Fund may regularly enter into TBA agreements and "roll over" such agreements prior to the settlement date stipulated in such agreements. This type of TBA transaction is sometimes known as a "TBA roll." In a "TBA roll," an Underlying Fund generally will sell the obligation to purchase the pools stipulated in the TBA agreement prior to the stipulated settlement date and will enter into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage pass-through securities. In addition, an Underlying Fund may enter into TBA agreements and settle such transactions on the stipulated settlement date by accepting actual receipt or delivery of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities stipulated in the TBA agreement. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose an Underlying Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. To minimize this risk, an Underlying Fund will enter into TBA transactions only with established counterparties (such as major broker-dealers) and BGFA will monitor the creditworthiness of such counterparties. The use of "TBA rolls" may cause an Underlying Fund to experience higher portfolio turnover and to pay higher capital gain distributions, which may result in larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to interestholders. The Underlying Fund segregates liquid assets in connection with TBA transactions.
The iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund intends to invest cash pending settlement of any TBA transactions in money market instruments, repurchase agreements or other high-quality, liquid short-term instruments, including money market funds affiliated with BGFA.
MORTGAGE SECURITIES. Mortgage securities are issued by government and non-government entities such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other institutions. A mortgage security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some mortgage securities, such as collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond). Mortgage securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Stripped mortgage securities are created when the interest and principal components of a mortgage security are separated and sold as individual securities. In the case of a stripped mortgage security, the holder of the "principal-only" security (PO) receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage, while the holder of the "interest-only" security (IO) receives interest payments from the same underlying mortgage.
The value of mortgage securities may change due to shifts in the market's perception of the creditworthiness of issuers and changes in interest rates. The value of some mortgage-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole. Non-government mortgage securities may offer higher yields than those issued by government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than government issues. Mortgage securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that early principal payments made on the underlying mortgages, usually in response to a reduction in interest rates, will result in the return of principal to the investor, causing it to be invested subsequently at a lower current interest rate. Alternatively, in a rising
interest rate environment, mortgage security values may be adversely affected when prepayments on underlying mortgages do not occur as anticipated, resulting in the extension of the security's effective maturity and the related increase in interest rate sensitivity of a longer-term instrument. The prices of stripped mortgage securities tend to be more volatile in response to changes in interest rates than those of non-stripped mortgage securities. In addition, although mortgages and mortgage-related securities are generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in municipal securities. Municipal securities are generally issued by states and local governments and their agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are subject to interest rate, credit and market risk. The ability of a municipal security issuer to make payments on that security could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Lower rated municipal bonds are subject to greater credit and market risk than higher quality municipal bonds. Municipal securities in which the Underlying Funds may invest include, but are not limited to, municipal lease obligations and securities issued by entities whose underlying assets are municipal bonds.
In addition, certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in residual interest bonds, which are created by depositing municipal securities in a trust and dividing the income stream of an underlying municipal bond in two parts, one, a variable-rate security and the other, a residual interest bond. The interest rate for the variable-rate security is determined by an index or an auction process held approximately every 7 to 35 days, while the residual interest bond holder receives the balance of the income from the underlying municipal bond less an auction fee. The market prices of residual interest bonds may be highly sensitive to changes in market rates and may decrease significantly when market rates increase.
The BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund may invest in `high-quality' long-term municipal bonds, municipal notes and short-term commercial paper, with remaining maturities not exceeding 397 calendar days.
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS. An Underlying Fund may invest in participation interests in any type of security in which the Underlying Fund may invest. A participation interest gives an Underlying Fund an undivided interest in the underlying securities in the proportion that the Underlying Fund's participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the underlying securities.
RATINGS. An investment-grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment-grade by Moody's(Reg. TM) Investors Service ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's(Reg. TM) Rating Services, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P(Reg. TM)"), Fitch Inc. ("Fitch"), Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, or another credit rating agency designated as a NRSRO by the SEC, or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by BGFA. Bonds rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P or above are considered "investment grade" securities; bonds rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations which lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics, while bonds rated BBB are regarded as having adequate capacity to pay principal and interest.
Subsequent to purchase by the applicable Underlying Funds, a rated security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below an investment grade rating. Bonds rated lower than Baa3 by Moody's or BBB- by S&P are below investment grade quality and are obligations of issuers that are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Such securities ("lower rated securities") are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are subject to a substantial degree of credit risk. Lower rated securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial. Bonds rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality bonds because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated bonds is even narrower.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. An Underlying Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain counterparties. Repurchase agreements involve an agreement to purchase financial instruments and to resell those instruments back to the same counterparty at an agreed-upon date and price, which price reflects a rate of interest unrelated to a coupon rate or maturity of the purchased instruments. The value of the instruments purchased may be more or less than the price at which the counterparty has agreed to repurchase them. As protection against the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation, the instruments are marked to market daily and are maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. Delays or losses could result if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults or becomes insolvent. An Underlying Fund will only engage in repurchase agreements with counterparties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by BGFA.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES. Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling restricted securities may result in a loss or be costly to an Underlying Fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the restricted security's holder may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time the holder decides to seek registration and the time the holder may be permitted to sell the security under an effective registration statement. If, during that period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. Generally the effect of such transactions is that an Underlying Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Underlying Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if an Underlying Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and an Underlying Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when BGFA believes it will be advantageous to an Underlying Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of an Underlying Fund's assets. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings. The custodian for the Underlying Fund segregates liquid assets having a value equal to or greater than reverse repurchase agreements commitments.
SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS. Each Underlying Fund may invest in short-term instruments in the same manner as the Master Portfolios, as described above.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES AND OPTIONS ON STOCK INDEX FUTURES. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest in stock index futures and options on stock index futures as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. An index futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties that commits one party to buy and the other party to sell a stipulated quantity of a market index at a set price on or before a given date in the future. The seller never actually delivers "shares" of the index or shares of all the stocks in the index. Instead, the buyer and the seller settle the difference between the contract price and the market price in cash on the agreed-upon date - the buyer paying the difference if the actual price is lower than the contract price and the seller paying the difference if the actual price is higher. An Underlying Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts on the stock index for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.
An option on a stock index is similar to an option on a stock except that expiration cycles vary either monthly or quarterly and the delivery requirements are different. Instead of giving the right to take or make delivery of stock at a specified price, an option on a stock index gives the holder the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount" equal to (i) the amount, if any, by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of exercise, multiplied by (ii) a fixed "index multiplier." Receipt of this cash amount depends upon the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based being greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option. The amount of cash received is equal to such difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified multiplier. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The writer may offset a position in stock index options prior to expiration by entering into a closing transaction on an exchange or the writer may let the option expire unexercised. The Underlying Funds segregate liquid assets in connection with these types of futures contracts.
UNRATED INVESTMENTS. The BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund may purchase instruments that are not rated if, in the opinion of BGFA, such obligations are of an investment quality that is comparable to other rated investments that are permitted for purchase by the Fund, if they are purchased in accordance with the Fund's procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Such procedures require approval or ratification by the Board of Trustees of the purchase of unrated securities. After purchase by the Fund, a security may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither event will require an immediate sale of such security by the Fund provided that, when a security ceases to be rated, BGFA determines that such security presents minimal credit risks and, provided further that, when a security rating is downgraded below the eligible quality for investment or no longer presents minimal credit risks, BGFA finds that the sale of such security would not be in the Fund's shareholders' best interest.
To the extent the ratings given by a NRSRO may change as a result of changes in such organization or its rating systems, the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for investments in accordance with the investment policies contained in its registration statement.
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Certain of the Underlying Funds may invest a portion of their assets in U.S. government obligations and may make such investments in the same manner as the Master Portfolios, as described above.
WARRANTS. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation that gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specified amount of the corporation's capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. The prices of warrants do not necessarily correlate with the prices of the underlying securities.
Portfolio Holdings Information
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP have adopted a policy regarding the
disclosure of portfolio holdings information that requires that such
information be disclosed in a manner that (a) is consistent with applicable
legal requirements and in the best interests of each LifePath Portfolio's and
Master Portfolio's respective shareholders or interestholders, as applicable;
(b) does not put the interests of the Investment Adviser, the LifePath
Portfolios' distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor" or
"SEI"), or any affiliated person of the Trust, the Master Portfolios, the
Investment Adviser or the Distributor, above those of the LifePath Portfolios'
shareholders and the Master Portfolios' interestholders; (c) does not advantage
any current or prospective LifePath Portfolio shareholders or Master Portfolio
interestholders over any other current or prospective LifePath Portfolio
shareholders or Master Portfolio interestholders; and (d) does not provide
selective access to portfolio holdings information except pursuant to the
procedures outlined below and to the extent appropriate confidentiality
arrangements and/or control mechanisms (such as by virtue of duties to the
LifePath Portfolios or the Master Portfolios) limiting the use of such
information are in effect. None of the LifePath Portfolios, the Master
Portfolios, the Investment Adviser or BGI receive any compensation or other
consideration in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings
information pursuant to the arrangements described below.
The policy described herein only relates to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the LifePath Portfolios and the Master Portfolios.
SERVICE PROVIDERS. Daily access to information concerning portfolio holdings is permitted, without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed, (i) to personnel of the Investment Adviser who manage the Master Portfolios' assets ("Portfolio Managers") or who provide administrative, operational, risk management, or other support to the Portfolio Managers ("Support Staff"), and (ii) to other personnel of the Investment Adviser and the Trust's and Master Portfolios' service providers, such as BGI, Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT") and SEI, who deal directly with, or assist in, functions related to investment management, administration, custody, and fund accounting, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the LifePath Portfolios and the terms of their respective current registration statements. Portfolio Managers and Support Staff may also release and discuss portfolio holdings information with various broker-dealers, including broker-dealers affiliated with the Investment Adviser, in connection with managing the Master Portfolios' assets and settling the Master Portfolios' transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the Master Portfolios and the LifePath Portfolios and the terms of their respective current registration statements.
From time to time, portfolio holdings information may also be provided, in the ordinary course of business without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed (provided that such information is provided no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of such information), to other persons and entities, including, among others, the Trust's and MIP's Trustees; the auditors of the Trust and the Master Portfolios; counsel to the Trust or MIP, and counsel to the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or MIP (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the "Independent Trustees"); pricing service vendors; proxy voting service providers; financial printers; regulatory authorities; stock exchanges and other listing organizations; rating or ranking organizations; or as otherwise required by law or regulation. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities to which the LifePath Portfolios and the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information in the ordinary course of business without any lag as described above: Moody's, S&P, Lipper, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., as the rating organizations for certain of the Master Portfolios; and Interactive Data Corp. and Reuters, as the pricing services for the Master Portfolios. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected. Generally, the above persons and
entities are subject to duties of confidentiality arising under law or contract that the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP believe provide an adequate safeguard for such information.
THIRD-PARTY FEEDER LIFEPATH PORTFOLIOS. Each Master Portfolio provides portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for feeder LifePath Portfolios sponsored by institutions not affiliated with BGFA that invest in such Master Portfolio (each, a "third-party feeder LifePath Portfolio") as may be necessary to (i) conduct business of the third-party feeder LifePath Portfolios in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with agreements with the third-party feeder LifePath Portfolios and the terms of the Master Portfolio's current registration statement, or (ii) satisfy legal requirements applicable to the third-party feeder LifePath Portfolios. Such portfolio holdings information may be provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed. Each third-party feeder LifePath Portfolio is subject to the terms and duties of confidentiality of its own portfolio holdings disclosure policy as adopted by its board of directors or trustees (which policy may be different than the Trust's and MIP's policy described herein), and none of BGFA, BGI or the Board of Trustees of the Trust or MIP exercises control over any third-party feeder LifePath Portfolio's policies. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of third-party feeder LifePath Portfolios and their service providers with which the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information: State Farm Mutual LifePath Portfolio Trust and State Farm VP Management Corp. Such information is generally provided within five business days following month-end. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected.
BGFA, BGI and the Master Portfolios may also provide portfolio holdings information to the sponsors, administrators or other service providers for a potential third-party feeder LifePath Portfolio to the extent necessary for such entities to evaluate a potential investment in the relevant Master Portfolio, subject to appropriate confidentiality arrangements limiting the use of such information to that purpose.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS. Each LifePath Portfolio will disclose its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on a quarterly basis, based on such LifePath Portfolio's fiscal year, within 70 days after the end of the calendar quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.
OTHER PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. A LifePath Portfolio or its related Master Portfolio may voluntarily disclose portfolio holdings information in advance of required filings with the SEC to persons and entities that make such information generally available to interested persons, such as institutional investors and their advisers and representatives. These persons and entities may make such information available through a variety of methods, including without limitation via websites, e-mail and other forms of publication. Such portfolio holdings information may be provided without any lag between the date of the information and the date on which such information is disclosed, provided that such information is provided no earlier than the close of trading on the same business day as the date of such information. No conditions or restrictions are placed on the use of such information because the LifePath Portfolios and the Master Portfolios intend that the persons and entities to which such information is provided will make such information generally available to all interested persons. The following is a list, as of March 31, 2007, of all such persons and entities with which the LifePath Portfolios or the Master Portfolios have ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information and the frequency with which such information is provided: Bloomberg (monthly) and Micropal (monthly). Any additions, modifications or deletions to the foregoing list that have occurred since March 31, 2007 are not reflected.
APPROVED RECIPIENTS. The LifePath Portfolios' and the Master Portfolios' Chief Compliance Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings information pursuant to the above policy.
The Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP review the above policy and the procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings information at least annually. There can be no assurance that the Trust's and MIP's policy and procedures with respect to disclosure of portfolio holdings information will prevent the misuse of such information by persons that receive such information.
Management
The Trust's Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the LifePath Portfolios. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Officers generally serve at the pleasure of the Trustees. BGIF, MIP, iShares Trust and iShares, Inc. are considered to be members of the same fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act. Lee T. Kranefuss also serves as a Trustee of MIP and iShares Trust and as a Director of iShares,
Inc. Each other Trustee of BGIF also serves as a Trustee for MIP. The address for each Trustee and officer, unless otherwise noted in the tables below, is Barclays Global Investors, N.A., c/o Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
The Trust's Independent Trustees have designated Leo Soong as the Lead Independent Trustee.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Trustee (since 2001), (1961) President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2002). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------ --------------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss* Chief Executive Officer (since 149 Director (since 2003) of BGI (1961) 2005) of the Global Index and Cayman Prime Money Market Markets Group of BGI; Chief Fund, Ltd.; Trustee (since Executive Officer (since 2003) of 2001) of MIP; Trustee (since the Intermediary Investors and 2003) of iShares Trust; Director Exchange Traded Products (since 2001) of iShares, Inc. Business of BGI; Director (since 2005) of Barclays Global Advisors; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors Services; Chief Executive Officer (1999-2003) of the Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
*Lee T. Kranefuss is deemed to be an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BGFA, the investment adviser of the Master Portfolios and the Underlying Funds, BGI, the parent company of BGFA and the administrator of the Funds and the Master Portfolios, and Barclays Global Investors Services, an affiliate of BGFA and BGI.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX POSITION(S), LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ---------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ ------------------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman Trustee (since 2001) President (since 2004) and 24 Trustee (since 2001) of MIP; (1944) and Chairperson of Director (since 2002) of the Director (since 1984) and Lead the Nominating and Bernard Osher Foundation; Independent Director (since Governance Director (2003-2004) of Osher 2000) of the Bank of Hawaii; Committee (since Lifelong Learning Institutes; Director (since 2002) and 2006). President and Chief Executive Chairman of the Board (since Officer (2002-2003) of The James 2005) of PBS (Public Irvine Foundation; President and Broadcasting Service). Chief Executive Officer (1993- 2002) of KQED, Inc. |
POSITION(S), LENGTH NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE ------------------------ ----------------------- A. John Gambs Trustee (since 2006) (1945) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since 2006). Wendy Paskin-Jordan Trustee (since 2006). (1956) Leo Soong Trustee (since 2000) (1946) and Lead Independent Trustee (since 2006). NUMBER OF PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OVERSEEN NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS ------------------------ ----------------------------------- ------------ --------------------------------- A. John Gambs Retired. 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP. (1945) Wendy Paskin-Jordan Managing Partner (since 1999) of 24 Trustee (since 2006) of MIP; (1956) Paskin & Kahr Capital Director (since 2001) of the Management; Registered California State Automobile Representative (since 2005) of Association; Director (since ThinkEquity Partners (broker- 2001) of Maier Siebel Baber. dealer); Registered Representative (1999-2005) of ePlanning Securities Inc. (broker-dealer). Leo Soong President (since 2002) of Trinity 24 Trustee (since 2000) of MIP; (1946) Products LLC (healthy beverage Vice Chairman (since 2005) of company); Managing Director the California Pacific Medical (since 1989) of CG Roxane LLC Center; Director (since 1990) of (water company); Co-Founder the California State Automobile (President through 1999) of Association; Director (since Crystal Geyser Water Co. 2002) of the American Automobile Association. |
OFFICER
POSITION(S), LENGTH PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION NAME AND YEAR OF BIRTH OF SERVICE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------------- Michael A. Latham Secretary, Treasurer Head of Americas iShares (since (1965) and Chief Financial 2007); Chief Operating Officer Officer (since 2003). (since 2003) of the Intermediary Investors and Exchange Traded Products Business of BGI; Director and Chief Financial Officer (since 2005) of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.; Director (2000-2003) of Mutual Fund Delivery in the U.S. Individual Investor Business of BGI. |
COMMITTEES. There are two standing committees of the Board of Trustees - the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee. Members of the
Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee include each
Independent Trustee. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for
recommending to the Board persons to be nominated for election as Trustees by
the shareholders or for appointment as Trustees by the sitting Trustees, when
permissible. Pursuant to the rules under the 1940 Act, only Independent
Trustees may select and nominate other Independent Trustees for BGIF. The
Nominating and Governance Committee generally does not consider nominees
recommended by shareholders, but may do so if the Nominating and Governance
Committee deems it appropriate. Shareholders who want to recommend nominees can
contact the Nominating and Governance Committee by sending a signed letter that
provides relevant information regarding the nominee and includes: (a) the
shareholder's name and address; (b) the number of shares owned by the
shareholder; (c) the Fund or Funds of which the shareholder owns shares; and
(d) if such shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial
intermediary or other record owner. The letter should be addressed to BGIF
Board
of Trustees - Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Barclays Global Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Mary G. F. Bitterman serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Prior to August 29, 2006, the Nominating and Governance Committee was known as the Nominating Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Nominating and Governance Committee held four meetings.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a separate charter and is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the LifePath Portfolios' accounting and financial reporting practices, reviewing the results of the annual audits of the LifePath Portfolios' financial statements and interacting with the LifePath Portfolios' independent auditors on behalf of the full Board. A. John Gambs serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
BENEFICIAL EQUITY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION. The table below shows for each Trustee the amount of interests in each LifePath Portfolio beneficially owned by the Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities within the same family of investment companies, stated as one of the following ranges: 0 = $0; A = $1-$10,000; B = $10,001-$50,000; C = $50,001-$100,000; and D = over $100,000.
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH IN THE FAMILY RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 OF INVESTMENT INTERESTED TRUSTEE PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO COMPANIES -------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss 0 0 0 0 0 D |
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH LIFEPATH IN THE FAMILY RETIREMENT 2010 2020 2030 2040 OF INVESTMENT INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO COMPANIES ---------------------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman 0 0 0 0 0 0 A. John Gambs 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wendy Paskin-Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 0 Leo Soong 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN ENTITIES. As of December 31, 2006, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own any securities of BGFA, the placement agent, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BGFA or the placement agent, unless noted above.
COMPENSATION OF TRUSTEES. The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $17,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,500 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members receive a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust pays the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $2,500 and the Trustee who serves as Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee an annual fee of $1,250. The Lead Independent Trustee receives an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
Prior to January 2007, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee an annual base fee of $12,500 and a per meeting fee of $2,000 for meetings of the Board attended by the Trustee. Committee members received a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended. Additionally, the Trust paid the Audit Committee Chairperson an annual base fee of $2,500 and the Lead Independent Trustee an additional annual base fee of $5,000.
The Trust reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending Board and committee meetings. Currently, the Trustees do not receive any retirement benefits or deferred compensation from the fund complex, as defined in Form N-1A under the 1940 Act.
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) --------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss $0 $0 |
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION TOTAL COMPENSATION NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FROM THE TRUST FROM FUND COMPLEX(2) ----------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman $25,000 $ 50,000 Jack S. Euphrat(3) $ 8,625 $ 17,250 A. John Gambs(4) $18,755 $ 37,511 Richard K. Lyons $26,337 $ 154,413(5) Wendy Paskin-Jordan(4) $18,375 $ 36,750 Leo Soong $29,880 $ 59,761 |
(1)The Trustees were paid in 2006 for a Nominating Committee meeting that they attended during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
(2) Includes compensation for services on the Board of Trustees of MIP.
(3) Served as Trustee of the Trust through March 14, 2006.
(4) Compensation for A. John Gambs and Wendy Paskin-Jordan reflects their appointment to serve as Independent Trustees of the Trust effective March 16, 2006.
(5) Includes compensation as Trustee of iShares Trust and Director of iShares, Inc. Mr. Lyons served as Trustee of the Trust through November 6, 2006.
MASTER/FEEDER STRUCTURE. Each LifePath Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in a Master Portfolio of MIP, which in turn invests in a combination of Underlying Funds. In other words, the LifePath Portfolios are "Feeder Funds" into the Master Portfolios, and the Master Portfolios in turn are "Funds of Funds." The Trust's Board of Trustees believes that neither a LifePath Portfolio nor its shareholders will be adversely affected by investing its assets in a Master Portfolio. However, if another feeder fund or other investor withdraws its investment from such Master Portfolio, the economic efficiencies (E.G., spreading fixed expenses among a larger asset base) that the Trust's Board of Trustees believes may be available through investment in the Master Portfolio may not be fully achieved. In addition, given the relative novelty of the master/feeder structure, accounting or operational difficulties, although unlikely, could also arise.
A LifePath Portfolio may withdraw its investment in a Master Portfolio only if the Board of Trustees determines that such action is in the best interests of such LifePath Portfolio and its shareholders. Prior to any such withdrawal, the Trust's Board of Trustees would consider alternative investments, including investing all of the LifePath Portfolio's assets in another investment company with substantially the same investment objective as the LifePath Portfolio or hiring an investment adviser to manage the LifePath Portfolio's assets in accordance with the investment policies described above with respect to the LifePath Portfolio and its Master Portfolios.
Whenever a LifePath Portfolio, as an interestholder of the corresponding Master Portfolio, is requested to vote on any matter submitted to interestholders of the Master Portfolio, the LifePath Portfolio will either hold a meeting of its shareholders to consider such matters and cast its votes in proportion to the votes received from its shareholders (shares for which a LifePath Portfolio receives no voting instructions will be voted in the same proportion as the votes received from the other LifePath Portfolio shareholders) or cast its votes, as an interestholder of the Master Portfolio, in proportion to the votes received by the Master Portfolio from all other interestholders of the Master Portfolios.
Certain policies of the Master Portfolio that are non-fundamental may be changed by vote of a majority of MIP's Trustees without interestholder approval. If the Master Portfolio's investment objective or fundamental or non-fundamental policies are changed, the LifePath Portfolio may elect to change its investment objective or policies to correspond to those of the Master Portfolio. A LifePath Portfolio also may elect to redeem its interests from its Master Portfolio and either seek a new investment company with a matching investment objective in which to invest or retain its own investment adviser to manage its portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. In the latter case, a LifePath Portfolio's inability to find a substitute investment company in which to invest or equivalent management services could adversely affect shareholders' investments in the LifePath Portfolio. The LifePath Portfolios will provide shareholders with written notice 30 days prior to the implementation of any change in the investment objective of the LifePath Portfolio or the Master Portfolio, to the extent possible.
CODES OF ETHICS. The Trust, BGFA and SEI have adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Master Portfolios. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. The following is a discussion of the proxy voting policies of the Master Portfolios in which the LifePath Portfolios invest.
MIP has adopted as its proxy voting policies for each Master Portfolio the proxy voting guidelines of BGFA, the investment adviser to the Master Portfolios. MIP has delegated to BGFA the responsibility for voting proxies on the portfolio securities held by each Master Portfolio. Therefore, the remainder of this section discusses each Master Portfolio's proxy voting guidelines and BGFA's role in implementing such guidelines.
BGFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies for each Master Portfolio in a manner that BGFA, in the exercise of its independent business judgment, concludes is in the best economic interests of such Master Portfolio. In some cases, BGFA may determine that it is in the best economic interests of a Master Portfolio to refrain from exercising the Master Portfolio's proxy voting rights (such as, for example, proxies on certain non-U.S. securities that might impose costly or time-consuming in-person voting requirements). With regard to the relationship between securities lending and proxy voting, BGFA's approach is also driven by its clients' economic interests. The evaluation of the economic desirability of recalling loans involves balancing the revenue producing value of loans against the likely economic value of casting votes. Based on BGFA's evaluation of this relationship, BGFA believes that the likely economic value of casting a vote generally is less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by BGFA recalling loaned securities in order to ensure they are voted. Periodically, BGFA analyzes the process and benefits of voting proxies for securities on loan, and will consider whether any modification of its proxy voting policies or procedures are necessary in light of any regulatory changes. BGFA will normally vote on specific proxy issues in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines. BGFA's proxy voting guidelines provide detailed guidance as to how to vote proxies on certain important or commonly raised issues. BGFA may, in the exercise of its business judgment, conclude that the proxy voting guidelines do not cover the specific matter upon which a proxy vote is requested, or that an exception to the proxy voting guidelines would be in the best economic interests of a Master Portfolio. BGFA votes (or refrains from voting) proxies without regard to the relationship of the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of such issuer) to the Master Portfolio, the Master Portfolio's affiliates (if any), BGFA or BGFA's affiliates, or SEI or SEI's affiliates. When voting proxies, BGFA attempts to encourage companies to follow practices that enhance shareholder value and increase transparency and allow the market to place a proper value on their assets. With respect to certain specific issues:
. Each Master Portfolio generally supports the board's nominees in uncontested elections of directors and generally supports proposals that strengthen the independence of boards of directors;
. Each Master Portfolio generally does not support proposals on social issues that lack a demonstrable economic benefit to the issuer and the Master Portfolio investing in such issuer; and
. Each Master Portfolio generally votes against anti-takeover proposals and proposals that would create additional barriers or costs to corporate transactions that are likely to deliver a premium to shareholders.
BGFA maintains institutional policies and procedures that are designed to prevent any relationship between the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder of the issuer) and a Master Portfolio, a Master Portfolio's affiliates (if any), BGFA or BGFA's affiliates, or SEI or SEI's affiliates, from having undue influence on BGFA's proxy voting activity. In certain instances, BGFA may determine to engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies as a further safeguard against potential conflicts of interest or as otherwise required by applicable law. The independent fiduciary may either vote such proxies or provide BGFA with instructions as to how to vote such proxies. In the latter case, BGFA votes the proxy in accordance with the independent fiduciary's determination.
Information with respect to how BGFA voted Master Portfolio proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free); and (ii) on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees has
established a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board of
Trustees. Shareholders may contact the Board of Trustees by mail.
Correspondence should be addressed to Barclays Global Investors Funds Board of
Trustees, c/o Barclays Global Investors, N.A. - Mutual Fund Administration, 45
Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. Shareholders' communications to the
Board of Trustees should include the following information: (a) the name and
address of the shareholder; (b) the number of shares owned by the shareholder;
(c) the LifePath Portfolio(s) of which the shareholder owns shares; and (d) if
these shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial intermediary or
other record owner, the name of the broker, financial intermediary or other
record owner. All correspondence received as set forth above shall be reviewed
by the Secretary of the Trust and reported to the Board of Trustees.
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities
As of April 2, 2007, the shareholders identified below were known by the Trust to own 5% or more of each LifePath Portfolio's outstanding Class I or Class R Shares in the following capacity:
CLASS I SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER ------------------------------ ----------------------------------- OF PORTFOLIO OWNERSHIP LifePath Retirement Portfolio DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISORS 28% Record 4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD MD2-41 PURCHASE, NY 10577 NATIONAL CITY 10% Record PO BOX 94984 CLEVELAND, OH 44101 JP MORGAN CHASE 10% Record 9300 WARD PARKWAY KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 10% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 NEW YORK LIFE TRUST COMPANY 10% Record 169 LACKAWANNA AVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 MERIL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH 8% Record 4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FLOOR JACKSONVILLE, FL 32246 LifePath 2010 Portfolio DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISORS 19% Record 4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD MD2-41 PURCHASE, NY 10577 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 16% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 CITISTREET CORE MARKETS INC 10% Record ONE HERITAGE DRIVE NORTH QUINCY, MA 02171 NEW YORK LIFE TRUST COMPANY 8% Record 169 LACKAWANNA AVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF CLASS I SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF PORTFOLIO OWNERSHIP ------------------------ --------------------------------- -------------- ----------- NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY 8% Record PO BOX 92956 CHICAGO, IL 60675 JP MORGAN CHASE 6% Record 9300 WARD PARKWAY KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 NATIONAL CITY 5% Record PO BOX 94984 CLEVELAND, OH 44101 LifePath 2020 Portfolio DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISORS 29% Record 4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD MD2-41 PURCHASE, NY 10577 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 21% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 NEW YORK LIFE TRUST COMPANY 7% Record 169 LACKAWANNA AVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 JP MORGAN CHASE 6% Record 9300 WARD PARKWAY KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 LifePath 2030 Portfolio DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISORS 24% Record 4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD MD2-4 1 PURCHASE, NY 10577 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 18% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 NEW YORK LIFE TRUST COMPANY 9% Record 169 LACKAWANNA AVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 FIFTH THIRD BANK 9% Record FBO CINTAS PO BOX 630074 CINCINNATI, OH 45263 JP MORGAN CHASE 7% Record 9300 WARD PARKWAY KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 LifePath 2040 Portfolio CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 33% Record 101 MONTGOMERY ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT ADVISORS 12% Record 4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD MD2-41 PURCHASE, NY 10577 JP MORGAN CHASE 9% Record 9300 WARD PARKWAY KANSAS CITY, MO 64114 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF CLASS I SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF PORTFOLIO OWNERSHIP --------------- --------------------------------- -------------- ----------- NEW YORK LIFE TRUST COMPANY 8% Record 169 LACKAWANNA AVE PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054 FIFTH THIRD BANK 7% Record PO BOX 630074 CINCINNATI, OH 45263 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF CLASS R SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF PORTFOLIO OWNERSHIP ------------------------------ --------------------------------- -------------- ---------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio UNION BANK 36% Record P.O. BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 HARTFORD LIFE 36% Record P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CT 06104 WACHOVIA BANK 18% Record 1525 WEST WT HARRIS BLVD CHARLOTTE, NC 28288 LifePath 2010 Portfolio HARTFORD LIFE 56% Record P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CT 06104 UNION BANK 30% Record P.O. BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC 5% Record 101 MONTGOMERY STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 LifePath 2020 Portfolio HARTFORD LIFE 57% Record P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CT 06104 UNION BANK 34% Record P.O. BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 LifePath 2030 Portfolio HARTFORD LIFE 64% Record P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CT 06104 UNION BANK 25% Record P.O. BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 COUNSEL TRUST COMPANY 7% Record 235 ST CHARLES WAY SUITE 100 YORK, PA 17402 LifePath 2040 Portfolio HARTFORD LIFE 57% Record P.O. BOX 2999 HARTFORD, CT 06104 |
PERCENTAGE NATURE OF CLASS R SHARES NAME AND ADDRESS OF SHAREHOLDER OF PORTFOLIO OWNERSHIP --------------- --------------------------------- -------------- ----------- UNION BANK 23% Record P.O. BOX 85484 SAN DIEGO, CA 92186 COUNSEL TRUST COMPANY 14% Record 235 ST CHARLES WAY SUITE 100 YORK, PA 17402 |
For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to "control" such company. Accordingly, to the extent that a shareholder identified in the foregoing table is identified as the beneficial holder of more than 25% of a LifePath Portfolio, or is identified as the holder of record of more than 25% of a LifePath Portfolio and has voting and/or investment powers, it may be presumed to control such LifePath Portfolio.
As of April 2, 2007, Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust.
Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers
INVESTMENT ADVISER. BGFA provides investment advisory services to each Master Portfolio pursuant to an investment advisory contract (the "Advisory Contract") with MIP. Pursuant to the Advisory Contract, BGFA furnishes to MIP's Board of Trustees periodic reports on the investment strategy and performance of each Master Portfolio.
BGFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI. BGI is a national bank, which is, in turn, a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.
The applicable Advisory Contract is subject to annual approval by (i) MIP's Board of Trustees or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting interests of such Master Portfolio, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of Independent Trustees of MIP, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The applicable Advisory Contract is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' written notice by either party. The applicable Advisory Contract will terminate automatically, as to the relevant Master Portfolio, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
ADVISORY FEES. BGFA is entitled to receive monthly fees at the annual rate of 0.35% of the average daily net assets of each Master Portfolio. BGFA has contractually agreed, for the period May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2009, to waive investment advisory fees charged to the Master Portfolios in an amount equal to the investment advisory fees charged by BGFA to the Underlying Funds in order to avoid duplication of such fees. In addition, BGI may receive fees as Administrator of certain of the Underlying Funds; however, BGFA has contractually agreed through April 30, 2009, to waive from investment advisory fees charged to the Master Portfolios an amount equal to the administration fees charged by BGI to those Underlying Funds. Any such waiver will reduce the expenses of a Master Portfolio and, accordingly, have a favorable impact on its performance.
For the fiscal years shown below, the Master Portfolios in which the LifePath Portfolios invest paid BGFA the following advisory fees:
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004* ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio $ 69,627 $ 9,788 $ 14,896 LifePath 2010 Portfolio $197,459 $36,720 $ 75,258 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $422,004 $73,084 $129,973 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $206,067 $50,483 $ 75,672 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $137,615 $35,599 $ 41,192 |
For the fiscal years shown below, BGFA waived the following advisory fees with respect to the LifePath Portfolios:
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004* ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio $ 300,261 $ 356,480 $ 371,631 LifePath 2010 Portfolio $ 839,251 $1,175,962 $1,335,210 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $1,568,425 $1,908,574 $2,372,002 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $ 832,230 $1,122,173 $1,521,986 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $ 511,712 $ 663,532 $1,005,877 |
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of MIP, counsel to the Independent Trustees of MIP and the independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the Master Portfolios (collectively referred to as the "MIP Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the Master Portfolios. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGFA voluntarily agreed to cap the expenses of the Master Portfolios at the rate at which the Master Portfolios paid advisory fees to BGFA and, therefore, BGFA provided an offsetting credit against the advisory fees paid by the Master Portfolios in an amount equal to the MIP Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to each Master Portfolio for such MIP Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGFA provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against advisory fees paid by the Master Portfolios in which the LifePath Portfolios invest:
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004* ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ LifePath Retirement Portfolio N/A N/A $11,242 LifePath 2010 Portfolio N/A N/A $15,261 LifePath 2020 Portfolio N/A N/A $17,941 LifePath 2030 Portfolio N/A N/A $15,462 LifePath 2040 Portfolio N/A N/A $13,998 |
* Fee waiver commenced on March 15, 2004.
UNDERLYING FUNDS. BGFA serves as investment adviser to each of the Underlying Funds, with the exception of the BGIF Institutional Money Market Fund, which invests in a corresponding Master Portfolio advised by BGFA. Each Master Portfolio, as a shareholder of the Underlying Funds, bears a pro-rata share of the Underlying Funds' advisory fees, which are based on aggregate net assets, as listed in the chart below. Please note that the list of Underlying Funds below is as of March 31, 2007 but
BGFA may add, eliminate or replace Underlying Funds at any time.
UNDERLYING FUND ADVISORY FEE* ----------------------------------- ----------------- MIP Active Stock Master Portfolio 0.25 % MIP CoreAlpha Bond Master 0.25 % Portfolio iShares S&P 500 Index Fund 0.09 % iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund 0.20 % iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index 0.20 % Fund iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund 0.20 % iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund 0.20 % iShares Cohen & Steers Realty 0.35 % Majors Index Fund iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund 0.54%** iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund 0.35%*** iShares MSCI Emerging Markets 0.75%**** Index Fund iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit 0.20 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury 0.15 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury 0.15 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman 7-10 Year 0.15 % Treasury Bond Fund iShares Lehman 10-20 Year 0.15 % Treasury Bond Fund iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury 0.15 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond 0.20 % Fund iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund 0.20 % iShares Lehman Government/Credit 0.20 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman Intermediate 0.20 % Credit Bond Fund iShares Lehman Intermediate 0.20 % Government/Credit Bond Fund iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate 0.25 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman Short Treasury 0.15 % Bond Fund iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund 0.20 % BGIF Institutional Money Market 0.10 % Fund |
*BGFA has contractually agreed through April 30, 2009 to waive investment advisory fees charged to each Master Portfolio in an amount equal to the investment advisory fees charged by BGFA to the Underlying Fund.
** Effective September 1, 2006, for its investment advisory services to the
iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, BGFA is paid management fees equal to 0.59%
per year of the Fund's aggregate net assets less than or equal to $7.0
billion, plus 0.54% per year of the aggregate net assets between $7.0
billion and $11.0 billion, plus 0.49% per year of the aggregate net assets
between $11.0 billion and $24.0 billion, plus 0.44% per year of the
aggregate net assets in excess of $24.0 billion.
*** Effective August 1, 2006, for its investment advisory services to the
iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund, BGFA is paid management fees equal to 0.35%
per year of the Fund's aggregate net assets less than or equal to $30.0
billion, plus 0.32% per year of the aggregate net assets greater than $30.0
billion and less than or equal to $60.0 billion, plus 0.28% per year of the
aggregate net assets in excess of $60.0 billion.
**** Effective September 1, 2006, for its investment advisory services to
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, BGFA is paid management fees
equal to 0.75% per year of the aggregate net assets less than or equal to
$14.0 billion, plus 0.68% per year of the aggregate net assets between
$14.0 billion and $28.0 billion, plus 0.61% per year of the aggregate net
assets in excess of $28.0 billion.
ADMINISTRATOR. The Trust has engaged BGI to provide certain administration services to the LifePath Portfolios. BGI provides the LifePath Portfolios with administration services, including provision of management reporting and treasury administration services, financial reporting, legal and tax services, and supervision of the LifePath Portfolios' administrative operations, preparation of proxy statements and shareholder reports. BGI also furnishes office space and certain facilities to conduct the LifePath Portfolios' business and compensates its Trustees, officers and employees who are affiliated with BGI. BGI is entitled to receive an annual administration fee of 0.50% of each LifePath Portfolio's average daily net assets for providing administrative services.
BGI also may engage and supervise Shareholder Servicing Agents, as defined in "Shareholder Servicing Agents" below, on behalf of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI has also agreed to bear all costs of the LifePath Portfolios' operations, other than brokerage expenses, advisory fees, distribution plan expenses, certain fees and expenses related to the Trust's Independent Trustees and their counsel, auditing fees,
litigation expenses, taxes or other extraordinary expenses. BGI has contracted with IBT to provide certain sub-administration services for the LifePath Portfolios, and BGI pays IBT for these services.
For the fiscal years shown below, the LifePath Portfolios paid the following administration fees to BGI:
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004 ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio $ 528,724 $ 523,176 $ 551,168 LifePath 2010 Portfolio $1,481,462 $1,732,045 $2,017,193 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $2,845,818 $2,830,389 $3,578,249 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $1,484,136 $1,675,108 $2,284,904 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $ 928,826 $ 998,578 $1,497,637 |
The fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, counsel to the Independent Trustees of the Trust and the Independent registered public accounting firm that provides audit and non-audit services in connection with the LifePath Portfolios (collectively referred to as the "BGIF Independent Expenses") are paid directly by the LifePath Portfolios. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, BGI voluntarily agreed to provide an offsetting credit against the administration fees paid by the LifePath Portfolios in an amount equal to the BGIF Independent Expenses. For the period from January 1, 2007 through April 30, 2009, each of BGI and BGFA, as applicable, has contractually undertaken to reimburse or provide an offsetting credit to the LifePath Portfolios for such BGIF Independent Expenses.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGI provided an offsetting credit, in the amounts shown, against administration fees paid with respect to the LifePath Portfolios:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO 12/31/2004 ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio N/A N/A $16,844 LifePath 2010 Portfolio N/A N/A $18,913 LifePath 2020 Portfolio N/A N/A $21,031 LifePath 2030 Portfolio N/A N/A $19,189 LifePath 2040 Portfolio N/A N/A $18,081 |
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENTS. The Board of Trustees of the LifePath Portfolios has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan pursuant to which the LifePath Portfolios have entered into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with BGI and other entities, and BGI may also enter into Shareholder Servicing Agreements with such other entities (collectively, "Shareholder Servicing Agents") for the provision of certain services to LifePath Portfolio shareholders. The services provided may include serving as an agent of the LifePath Portfolios for purposes of accepting orders for purchases and redemptions of LifePath Portfolio shares, providing administrative support and account service such as processing purchases and redemptions of shares on behalf of individual and omnibus LifePath Portfolio accounts, answering shareholder inquiries, keeping records, transmitting reports and communications from the LifePath Portfolios, and providing reports on the status of individual and omnibus accounts.
Pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust, BGI pays shareholder servicing fees to certain Shareholder Servicing Agents in amounts not exceeding maximum fee rates approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees, for those shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and processing services that the Shareholder Servicing Agents perform for their clients that would otherwise be performed by BGI or the LifePath Portfolios' other service providers. For providing some or all of these services, each Shareholder Servicing Agent is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each LifePath Portfolio represented by shares owned during the period for which payment is being made by investors with whom the Shareholder Servicing Agent maintains a servicing relationship, or an amount that equals the maximum amount payable to the Shareholder Servicing Agent under applicable laws, regulations or rules, including the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., whichever is less. In addition, BGFA and/or BGI may pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to Shareholder Servicing Agents for the services described above. From time to time, BGFA, BGI and/or the LifePath Portfolios' distributor may also pay significant additional amounts from their own resources to other intermediaries that perform services in connection with the sale of LifePath Portfolio shares.
For the fiscal years shown below, BGI paid shareholder servicing fees on behalf of the LifePath Portfolios as follows:
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004 ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio $ 246,382 $ 310,117 $ 267,004 LifePath 2010 Portfolio $ 664,827 $ 821,992 $ 891,084 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $1,278,854 $1,479,040 $1,634,602 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $ 648,303 $ 933,948 $1,034,400 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $ 395,496 $ 521,434 $ 676,860 |
A Shareholder Servicing Agent also may impose certain conditions on its customers, subject to the terms of the LifePath Portfolios' Prospectuses and this SAI, that are in addition to or different from those imposed by the Trust, such as requiring a minimum initial investment or payment of a separate fee for additional services.
DISTRIBUTOR. SEI is the distributor for the LifePath Portfolios' shares. SEI is a registered broker/dealer located at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. Since 1968, SEI has been a leading provider of outsourced investment business solutions for fund administration and distribution, asset management, and investment systems and processing.
SEI, as the principal underwriter of the LifePath Portfolios within the meaning of the 1940 Act, has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which SEI has the responsibility for distributing LifePath Portfolio shares. The Distribution Agreement provides that SEI shall act as agent for the LifePath Portfolios for the sale of LifePath Portfolio shares, and may enter into sales support agreements with selling agents that wish to make available LifePath Portfolio shares to their respective customers ("Selling Agents").
In addition, SEI provides certain compliance related, sales related and other services for the LifePath Portfolios and the LifePath Master Portfolios pursuant to a Service Standards Agreement with BGI, and BGI compensates SEI for these services.
CLASS R DISTRIBUTION PLAN. The Trust has adopted on behalf of the Class R
Shares of the LifePath Portfolios a Distribution Plan that authorizes, under
Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder (the "Rule"), payment
for distribution-related expenses and compensation for distribution-related
services, including ongoing compensation to selling agents, in connection with
Class R Shares (the "Class R Plan"). Each LifePath Portfolio may participate in
joint distribution activities with other BGIF funds. The cost of these
activities is generally allocated among the LifePath Portfolios, with the
LifePath Portfolios with higher asset levels paying a higher proportion of
these costs.
The Class R Plan was adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees who had no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Class R Plan or in any agreement related to the Class R Plan. The Class R Plan was adopted because of its anticipated benefits to the LifePath Portfolios. The anticipated benefits include: easier and more effective management as a result of steady inflows of cash from the sale of new shares, a reduction in the expense ratio as a result of achieving economies of scale, lower transaction costs or better prices as a result of the ability to purchase larger blocks of securities, and avoidance of the forced sale of securities to meet redemptions that might adversely affect the performance of the LifePath Portfolios. Under the Class R Plan and pursuant to the related Distribution Agreement with SEI, the LifePath Portfolios may pay the Distributor, as compensation for distribution-related services, monthly fees at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class R Shares of the LifePath Portfolios offering such shares.
The actual fee payable to the Distributor is determined, within such limit, from time to time by mutual agreement between the Trust and the Distributor and will not exceed the maximum sales charges payable by mutual funds sold by members of the NASD under the NASD Conduct Rules. The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with one or more selling agents (which may include BGI and its affiliates) under which such agents may receive compensation for distribution-related services from the Distributor, including, but not limited to, commissions or other payments to such agents based on the average daily net assets of LifePath Portfolio shares attributable to their customers. The Distributor may retain any portion of the total distribution fee payable thereunder to compensate it for distribution-related services provided by it or to reimburse it for other distribution-related expenses.
The Trust currently does not have a distribution plan in place for the Class I Shares. Class I shareholders do not pay any fees for distribution services.
The Class R Plan will continue in effect from year to year if such continuance is approved by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. Any Distribution Agreement related to the Class R Plan also must be approved by such vote of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically if assigned and may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees on not more than 60 days' written notice. The Class R Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amounts payable thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the LifePath Portfolios involved, and no material amendments to the Class R Plan may be made except by a majority of both the Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees.
The Class R Plan requires that the Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended (and purposes therefor) under the Class R Plan. The Rule also requires that the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust be made by Independent Trustees.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the LifePath Portfolios paid the following fees for distribution-related services under the Class R Plan:
FISCAL YEAR LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2006 ----------------------------------- ----------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio $ 26,170 LifePath 2010 Portfolio $100,497 LifePath 2020 Portfolio $206,077 LifePath 2030 Portfolio $136,931 LifePath 2040 Portfolio $119,586 |
MIP DISTRIBUTION PLAN. MIP's Board of Trustees has adopted, on behalf of each LifePath Master Portfolio, a "defensive" distribution plan under Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder (the "MIP Plan"). The MIP Plan was adopted by a majority of MIP's Board of Trustees, including a majority of those Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of MIP, on October 10, 1995. The MIP Plan provides that if any portion of a LifePath Master Portfolio's advisory fees (up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each LifePath Master Portfolio on an annual basis) were deemed to constitute an indirect payment for activities that are primarily intended to result in the sale of interests in a LifePath Master Portfolio, such payment would be authorized pursuant to the MIP Plan.
CUSTODIAN. IBT is the custodian for each LifePath Portfolio and Master Portfolio and is located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. The custodian, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of the LifePath Portfolios and Master Portfolios; receives and delivers all assets for the LifePath Portfolios and Master Portfolios upon purchase and upon sale or maturity; collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of the LifePath Portfolios and Master Portfolios; and pays all expenses of the LifePath Portfolios. IBT is not entitled to receive compensation for its services as custodian so long as it receives fees from BGI for providing sub-administration services to the LifePath Portfolios.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT. IBT also is the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the LifePath Portfolios and the Master Portfolios. For its services as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to the LifePath Portfolios and Master Portfolios, IBT is paid fees based on the LifePath Portfolios' and the Master Portfolios' net assets. IBT is entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses or advances incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Transfer Agency Agreement. BGI has agreed to pay these fees and expenses pursuant to its Administration Agreement with the Trust. In addition, the Transfer Agency Agreement contemplates that IBT will be reimbursed for other expenses incurred by it at the request or with the written consent of the LifePath Portfolios, including, without limitation, any equipment or supplies that the Trust specifically orders or requires IBT to order.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
LEGAL COUNSEL. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, located at 60 State Street, Boston, MA 02109, serves as legal counsel to the Trust, MIP and BGFA.
Portfolio Managers
As of December 31, 2006, the individuals named as Portfolio Managers of the LifePath Master Portfolios in the LifePath Portfolios Prospectuses were also primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of certain types of other portfolios and/or accounts in addition to the LifePath Master Portfolios as indicated in the table below:
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS DAGMAR NIKLES ------------ --------------------- --------------- Number of Accounts 0 59 3 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 N/A $14,840,033,000 $13,939,000 |
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS LESLIE GAMBON ------------ --------------------- --------------- Number of Accounts 0 59 2 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 N/A $14,840,033,000 $13,843,000 |
REGISTERED INVESTMENT OTHER POOLED COMPANIES INVESTMENT VEHICLES OTHER ACCOUNTS JIM CHAN ------------ --------------------- --------------- Number of Accounts 0 59 4 Net Assets as of 12/31/06 N/A $14,840,033,000 $14,346,000 |
Certain of the portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management are composed of securities the identity and amount of which are selected by a computer model that is based on prescribed, objective criteria using independent third-party data to replicate independently maintained indexes. The Portfolio Managers are required to manage each portfolio or account to meet those objectives. Pursuant to BGI and BGFA policy, investment opportunities are allocated equitably among the LifePath Master Portfolios and other portfolios and accounts. For example, under certain circumstances, an investment opportunity may be restricted due to limited supply on the market, legal constraints or other factors, in which event the investment opportunity will be allocated equitably among those portfolios and accounts, including the LifePath Master Portfolios, seeking such investment opportunity. As a consequence, from time to time the LifePath Master Portfolios may receive a smaller allocation of an investment opportunity than they would have if the Portfolio Managers and BGFA and its affiliates did not manage other portfolios or accounts.
Like the LifePath Master Portfolios, the other portfolios or accounts for which the Portfolio Managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management generally pay an asset-based fee to BGFA or BGI, as applicable, for its advisory services. One or more of those other portfolios or accounts, however, may pay BGI an incentive-based fee in lieu of, or in addition to, an asset-based fee for its advisory services. A portfolio or account with an incentive-based fee would pay BGI a portion of that portfolio's or account's gains, or would pay BGI more for its services than would otherwise be the case if BGI meets or exceeds specified performance targets. By their very nature, incentive-based fee arrangements could present an incentive for BGI to devote greater resources, and allocate more investment opportunities, to the portfolios or accounts that have those fee arrangements, relative to other portfolios or accounts, in order to earn larger fees. Although BGI has an obligation to allocate resources and opportunities equitably among portfolios and accounts and intends to do so, interestholders of the LifePath Master Portfolios should be aware that, as with any group of portfolios and accounts managed by an investment adviser and/or its affiliates pursuant to varying fee arrangements, including incentive-based fee arrangements, there is the potential for a conflict-of-interest, that may result in the Portfolio Managers' favoring those portfolios or accounts with incentive-based fee arrangements.
The below table reflects, for each Portfolio Manager, the number of portfolios or accounts of the types enumerated in the above table and the aggregate of total assets in those portfolios or accounts with respect to which the investment management fees for those portfolios or accounts are based on the performance of those portfolios or accounts, as of December 31, 2006.
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED AGGREGATE OF TOTAL ASSETS DAGMAR NIKLES ------------------------------ -------------------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED AGGREGATE OF TOTAL ASSETS LESLIE GAMBON ------------------------------ -------------------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOUNTS WITH PERFORMANCE FEES MANAGED AGGREGATE OF TOTAL ASSETS JIM CHAN ------------------------------ -------------------------- Registered Investment Companies 0 N/A Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 N/A Other Accounts 0 N/A |
As of December 31, 2006, each Portfolio Manager receives a salary and is eligible to receive an annual bonus. Each Portfolio Manager's salary is a fixed amount generally determined annually based on a number of factors, including, but limited to, the Portfolio Manager's title, scope of responsibilities, experience and knowledge. Each Portfolio Manager's bonus is a discretionary amount determined annually based on the overall profitability of the various Barclays Global Investors companies worldwide, the performance of the Portfolio Manager's business unit, and an assessment of the Portfolio Manager's individual performance. The Portfolio Manager's salary and annual bonus are paid in cash. BGFA also operates a mandatory bonus deferral plan for employees whose bonuses exceed certain thresholds which becomes payable three years after granted. One half of the mandatory deferral award is "notionally invested" in funds managed by BGI, and the other half is provisionally allocated to shares in Barclays PLC (the ultimate parent company of BGFA). Thus the value of the final award may be increased or decreased over the three-year period. In addition, a Portfolio Manager may be paid a signing bonus or other amounts in connection with initiation of employment with BGFA. If a Portfolio Manager satisfied the requirements for being part of a "select group of management or highly compensated employees" (within the meaning of ERISA Section 401(a)) as so specified under the terms of BGI's compensation deferral plan, the Portfolio Manager may elect to defer a portion of his or her bonus under that Plan.
Portfolio Managers may be selected, on a fully discretionary basis, for awards under BGI's Compensation Enhancement Plan ("CEP"). Under CEP, these awards are determined annually, and generally vest after two years. At the option of the CEP administrators, the award may be "notionally invested" in funds managed by BGI, which means that the final award amount may be increased or decreased according to the performance of the BGI-managed funds over the two-year period. If the award is not notionally invested, the original award amount is paid once vested.
A Portfolio Manager may be granted options to purchase shares in Barclays Global Investors UK Holdings Limited ("BGI UK Holdings"), a company organized under the laws of England and Wales that directly or indirectly owns all of the Barclays Global Investors companies worldwide, which options vest in three equal installments over three years and are generally exercisable during prescribed exercise windows. Shares purchased must generally be held 355 days prior to sale. For such purposes, the value of BGI UK Holdings is based on its fair value as determined by an independent public accounting firm.
As of December 31, 2006, the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned interests in each of the LifePath Portfolios that invest in Master Portfolios, for which they are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management in amounts reflected in the following table:
LIFEPATH RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Dagmar Nikles x Leslie Gambon x Jim Chan x |
LIFEPATH 2010 PORTFOLIO $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Dagmar Nikles x Leslie Gambon x Jim Chan x |
LIFEPATH 2020 PORTFOLIO $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Dagmar Nikles x Leslie Gambon x Jim Chan x |
LIFEPATH 2030 PORTFOLIO $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Dagmar Nikles x Leslie Gambon x Jim Chan x |
LIFEPATH 2040 PORTFOLIO $10,001 $50,001 $100,001 $500,001 OVER NONE $1 TO $10K TO $50K TO $100K TO $500K TO $1M $1M ------ ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Dagmar Nikles x Leslie Gambon x Jim Chan x |
Determination of Net Asset Value
The net asset value (the "NAV") for each LifePath Portfolio is calculated by
deducting all of the LifePath Portfolio's liabilities (including accrued
expenses) from the total value of its assets (including the securities held by
the LifePath Portfolio plus any cash or other assets, including interest and
dividends accrued but not yet received) and dividing the result by the number
of shares outstanding, and generally rounded to the nearest cent, although each
LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to calculate its NAV to more than two
decimal places.
The NAV of each LifePath Portfolio is calculated based on the net asset value
of the Master Portfolio in which the LifePath Portfolio invests. The net asset
value of each Master Portfolio is calculated based on the assets of the Master
Portfolio, including the Underlying Funds in which the Master Portfolio
invests. In calculating a Master Portfolio's net asset value, the Master
Portfolio's investments in the Underlying Funds that are ETFs are generally
valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation
(i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or
dealer), (ii) based on a
price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), or (iii) based on amortized cost. In the case of shares of other Underlying Funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund's published net asset value per share. The registration statements for the Underlying Funds include descriptions of the methods for valuing the Underlying Funds' investments, including a description of the circumstances in which the investments of the Underlying Funds that are not money market funds would be valued using fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, and for determining their net asset value. BGFA may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing service's valuation matrix may also be considered a market valuation. In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or such valuations do not reflect current market values, the affected investments will be valued using fair value pricing pursuant to the pricing policy and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares
TERMS OF PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION. The LifePath Portfolios are generally open Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends and are generally closed on all other days on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is closed for regular trading. The holidays on which the NYSE is closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to change the amount of the minimum investment and subsequent purchases in the LifePath Portfolios. On any day the LifePath Portfolios close early, purchase and redemption orders received after a LifePath Portfolio's closing time will be executed on the next business day. In addition, each LifePath Portfolio reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received to be executed on the same business day as permitted by the SEC.
IN-KIND PURCHASES. Payment for shares of a LifePath Portfolio may, at the discretion of BGFA, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the LifePath Portfolio and must meet the investment objective, policies and limitations of the LifePath Portfolio as described in the Prospectus and this SAI. In connection with an in-kind securities payment, a LifePath Portfolio may require, among other things, that the securities (i) be valued on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing methods used by the LifePath Portfolio or its Master Portfolio or an Underlying Fund in which the Master Portfolio invests; (ii) are accompanied by satisfactory assurance that the LifePath Portfolio will have good and marketable title to such securities received by it; (iii) are not subject to any restrictions upon resale by the LifePath Portfolio; (iv) be in proper form for transfer to the LifePath Portfolio; and (v) are accompanied by adequate information concerning the basis and other tax matters relating to the securities. All dividends, interest, subscription or other rights pertaining to such securities shall become the property of the LifePath Portfolio engaged in the in-kind purchase transaction and must be delivered to such LifePath Portfolio by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. Securities acquired through an in-kind purchase will be acquired for investment and not for immediate resale. Each LifePath Portfolio immediately will transfer to its Master Portfolio any and all securities received by it in connection with an in-kind purchase transaction, in exchange for interests in such Master Portfolio. Shares purchased in exchange for securities generally cannot be redeemed until the transfer has settled.
SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS OR PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS. The Trust may suspend the right of redemption or postpone redemption payments for any period during which (i) the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of a Master Portfolio's investments is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit. Each Fund reserves the right to suspend investors' rights of redemption and to delay delivery of redemption proceeds, as permitted under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, and other applicable laws.
Portfolio Transactions
Since each LifePath Portfolio invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio, set forth below is a description of the Master Portfolios' policies governing portfolio securities transactions.
GENERAL. BGFA assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of each Master Portfolio including shares of ETFs and other Underlying Funds for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In selecting brokers or dealers for any transaction in portfolio securities, BGFA's policy is to make such selection based on factors deemed relevant, including but not limited to, the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the reasonableness of the commission or mark-up or mark-down, if any, execution capability, settlement capability, back office efficiency and the financial condition of the broker or dealer, both for
the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by BGFA based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Brokers may also be selected because of their ability to handle special or difficult executions, such as may be involved in large block trades, less liquid securities, broad distributions, or other circumstances. While BGFA generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads on commissions, each Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread on commission available.
BGFA does not consider the provision or value of research, products or services a broker or dealer may provide, if any, as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer or the determination of the reasonableness of commissions paid in connection with portfolio transactions. The Master Portfolios have adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Master Portfolio's interests or LifePath Portfolio shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or a dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of fixed income securities for Underlying Funds usually are principal transactions and ordinarily are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or broker-dealer. The Underlying Funds do not usually pay brokerage commissions in connection with such purchases and sales, but such transactions may be subject to mark-ups or mark-downs.
A Master Portfolio's or Underlying Fund's purchase and sale orders for securities may be combined with those of other accounts that BGFA manages or advises, and for which it has brokerage placement authority. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of a Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund and one or more other accounts managed or advised by BGFA are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund and the other accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all by BGFA. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to a Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund. BGFA may deal, trade and invest for its own account in the types of securities in which a Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund may invest. BGFA may, from time to time, effect trades on behalf of and for the account of a Master Portfolio or Underlying Fund with brokers or dealers that are affiliated with BGFA, in conformity with the 1940 Act and SEC rules and regulations. Under these provisions, any commissions paid to affiliated brokers or dealers must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions charged by other brokers or dealers in comparable transactions. The Master Portfolios and Underlying Funds will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by applicable SEC rule or regulation or by SEC exemptive order.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High portfolio turnover rates may result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses and larger amounts of short-term capital gains allocable to interestholders of a Master Portfolio and shareholders of the corresponding LifePath Portfolio.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS. Beginning on March 15, 2004, each Master Portfolio purchased and sold those portfolio securities that are interests in Underlying Funds that are not iShares Funds by dealing directly with the issuer - the Underlying Funds. Each Master Portfolio purchases and sells those portfolio securities that are Underlying iShares Funds through brokers and will incur brokerage commissions on those transactions.
The table below sets forth the brokerage commissions paid by each Master Portfolio for the fiscal years noted.
FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR MASTER PORTFOLIO ENDED 12/31/2004 ENDED 12/31/2005 ENDED 12/31/2006 ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- LifePath Retirement Master $ 49,294 $ 7,565 $ 17,694 Portfolio LifePath 2010 Master Portfolio $150,167 $24,056 $ 53,152 LifePath 2020 Master Portfolio $316,223 $57,841 $110,233 LifePath 2030 Master Portfolio $196,426 $51,256 $ 95,985 LifePath 2040 Master Portfolio $124,190 $50,662 $ 82,053 |
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID TO AFFILIATES. During the past three fiscal years, the Master Portfolios did not pay brokerage commissions to affiliated brokers.
SECURITIES OF REGULAR BROKER-DEALERS. As of December 31, 2006, none of the corresponding LifePath Master Portfolios of each LifePath Portfolio owned securities of its "regular brokers or dealers" (as defined in the 1940 Act) or their parents.
FREQUENT TRADING IN PORTFOLIO SHARES. Frequent purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares ("frequent trading") may have a detrimental effect on funds and their shareholders. Depending on various factors, such as the size of a fund's portfolio and the amount of assets maintained in cash, frequent trading may harm the performance of the fund by interfering with the implementation of its investment strategies and/or increasing transaction costs and taxes, and/or may dilute the value of fund shares held by long-term investors. Frequent trading may include activity that appears to attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a fund's portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for those portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the fund's net asset value ("market timing").
Each LifePath Portfolio may invest only in interests of its respective Master Portfolio, and the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and MIP have each considered the issues of frequent trading and market timing. MIP's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for possible market timing activity because the Master Portfolios' holdings are valued as of the same time as of which the net asset value for the Master Portfolios is calculated (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), which eliminates the potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of the Master Portfolios' holdings and the reflection of that change in the Master Portfolios' respective net asset values. MIP's Board of Trustees has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other forms of frequent trading because daily flows into and out of the Master Portfolios are aggregated, and the process of aggregation is expected to reduce the potential for frequent trading to disrupt the implementation of the Master Portfolios' investment strategies.
The Trust's Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not monitoring for market timing or other frequent trading activity in the LifePath Portfolios in light of the nature of the LifePath Portfolios' investment in Master Portfolios, the policies of the Master Portfolios, as described in the preceding paragraphs, and the historical nature of flows into and out of the LifePath Portfolios.
BGI's ability to monitor trades that are placed by participants in plans that are shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios or other shareholders in the LifePath Portfolios that are trading through omnibus accounts maintained by intermediaries has been severely limited because BGI has not been receiving transaction information showing individual investment decisions. Upon request by the LifePath Portfolios, intermediaries will be required to provide certain transaction information that may enable the LifePath Portfolios to identify trading activity that is potentially harmful to the LifePath Portfolios. The LifePath Portfolios may, but do not have the obligation to, respond to any potentially harmful trading activity that is identified. In the event any potentially harmful trading activity is identified, responses may include the imposition of trading restrictions, the rejection of purchases, or such other steps the LifePath Portfolios determine are appropriate. Intermediaries' ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of their clients may, however, be affected by legal or technological limitations.
Distributions and Taxes
The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in each Prospectus entitled "Taxes." The Prospectuses generally describe the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions by the LifePath Portfolios. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the IRC, applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. The following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters.
A shareholder's tax treatment may vary depending upon his or her particular situation. This discussion only applies to shareholders who are U.S. persons, I.E., U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and hold LifePath Portfolio shares as capital assets within the meaning of the IRC. Except as otherwise noted, it may not apply to certain types of shareholders who may be subject to special rules, such as insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, shareholders holding LifePath Portfolio shares through tax-advantaged accounts (such as 401(k) plan accounts or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs")), financial institutions, broker-dealers, entities that are not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, persons who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States, shareholders holding LifePath Portfolio shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction, and shareholders who are subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.
The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the foregoing discussion and the discussions in the Prospectuses applicable to each shareholder address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the LifePath Portfolios. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers and financial planners as to the particular U.S. federal
tax consequences to them of an investment in the LifePath Portfolios, as well as the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign laws, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY. Each LifePath Portfolio and Underlying Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year, as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the IRC, as long as such qualification is in the best interests of the LifePath Portfolio's shareholders. Each LifePath Portfolio will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the IRC applicable to regulated investment companies generally will apply separately to each LifePath Portfolio, even though each LifePath Portfolio is a series of a trust. Furthermore, each LifePath Portfolio separately determines its income, gains, losses and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC, each LifePath Portfolio must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (as defined in Section 851(h) of the IRC). Pursuant to regulations that may be promulgated in the future, the IRS may limit qualifying income from foreign currency gains to the amount of such currency gains that are directly related to a regulated investment company's principal business of investing in stock or securities. Each LifePath Portfolio must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the value of its assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and (B) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the LifePath Portfolio's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the LifePath Portfolio's total assets is invested in (A) the securities (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, (B) the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers that the LifePath Portfolio controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (C) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The qualifying income and diversification requirements applicable to a LifePath Portfolio may limit the extent to which it can engage in transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements.
In addition, each LifePath Portfolio generally must distribute to its shareholders an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its "investment company taxable income," as that term is defined in the IRC (which generally includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income earned in each taxable year. A LifePath Portfolio generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the investment company taxable income and "net capital gain" (I.E., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its shareholders. Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, if a LifePath Portfolio declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October, November or December of one year and pays the distribution by January 31 of the following year, the LifePath Portfolio and its shareholders will be treated as if the LifePath Portfolio paid the distribution by December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared. Each LifePath Portfolio intends to distribute its net income and gain in a timely manner to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and eliminate fund-level U.S. federal income taxation of such income and gain. However, no assurance can be given that a LifePath Portfolio will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation.
If, in any taxable year, a LifePath Portfolio fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under the IRC or fails to meet the distribution requirements described above, the LifePath Portfolio would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary U.S. corporation without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and all distributions from the LifePath Portfolio's earnings and profits (including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains) to its shareholders would also be taxable as ordinary income at the shareholder level. To qualify again to be taxed as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the LifePath Portfolio may be required to pay an interest charge and penalty to the IRS as well as distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-regulated investment company years. In addition, if the LifePath Portfolio fails to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the LifePath Portfolio may be required to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the LifePath Portfolio had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
EXCISE TAX. A 4% non-deductible excise tax will be imposed on each LifePath Portfolio to the extent it fails to distribute during each calendar year (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (excluding capital gains and losses), for the calendar year, (2) at least 98% of its net capital gain income for the 12 month period ending on October 31, and (3) all of its ordinary income and net capital gain income from previous years that were not distributed or subject to tax during such years. Each LifePath Portfolio intends to actually or be deemed to distribute substantially all of its net income and gains, if any, by the end of each calendar year and, thus, expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be given that a LifePath Portfolio will not be subject to the excise tax.
CAPITAL LOSS CARRY-FORWARDS. A LifePath Portfolio is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss from any year to offset its capital gains, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss. A LifePath Portfolio's capital loss carry-forward is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. If future capital gains are offset by carried-forward capital losses, such future capital gains are not subject to fund-level federal income taxation, regardless of whether they are distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the LifePath Portfolios do not expect to distribute such capital gains. The LifePath Portfolios cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses. As of December 31, 2006, the following LifePath Portfolios had capital loss carry-forwards approximating the amount indicated for U.S. federal income tax purposes and expiring in the years indicated, as follows:
EXPIRING LIFEPATH PORTFOLIO 12/31/2012 -------------------------- ------------- LifePath 2040 Portfolio $2,339,387 |
EQUALIZATION ACCOUNTING. Each LifePath Portfolio may use the so-called "equalization method" of accounting to allocate a portion of its "earnings and profits," which generally equals a LifePath Portfolio's undistributed net investment income and realized capital gains, with certain adjustments, to redemption proceeds. This method permits a LifePath Portfolio to achieve more balanced distributions for both continuing and redeeming shareholders. Although using this method generally will not affect a LifePath Portfolio's total returns, it may reduce the amount that the LifePath Portfolio would otherwise distribute to continuing shareholders by reducing the LifePath Portfolio's required distribution amounts, by a portion of the redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders. However, the IRS may not have expressly sanctioned the equalization accounting method used by the LifePath Portfolios, and thus the use of this method may be subject to IRS scrutiny.
INVESTMENT THROUGH MASTER PORTFOLIOS. Each LifePath Portfolio seeks to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets in a corresponding Master Portfolio. Each Master Portfolio is treated as a non-publicly traded partnership (or, in the event that a LifePath Portfolio is the sole investor in the corresponding Master Portfolio, as disregarded from the LifePath Portfolio) for U.S. federal income tax purposes rather than as a regulated investment company or a corporation under the IRC. Under the rules applicable to a non-publicly traded partnership (or disregarded entity), a proportionate share of any interest, dividends, gains and losses of a Master Portfolio will be deemed to have been realized by (I.E., "passed-through" to) its investors, including the corresponding LifePath Portfolio, regardless of whether any amounts are actually distributed by the Master Portfolio. Each investor in a Master Portfolio will be taxable on such share, as determined in accordance with the governing instruments of the particular Master Portfolio, the IRC and Treasury Regulations. Therefore, to the extent that a Master Portfolio were to accrue but not distribute any income or gains, the corresponding Portfolio would be deemed to have realized its proportionate share of such income or gains without receipt of any corresponding distribution. However, each of the Master Portfolios will seek to minimize recognition by its investors (such as a corresponding LifePath Portfolio) of income and gains without a corresponding distribution. Furthermore, each Master Portfolio's assets, income and distributions will be managed in such a way that an investor in a Master Portfolio will be able to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by investing its assets through the Master Portfolio.
TAXATION OF UNDERLYING FUND INVESTMENTS. In general, if an Underlying Fund realizes gains or losses on the sale of portfolio securities, such gains or losses are capital gains or losses, and if the Underlying Fund has held the disposed securities for more than one year at the time of disposition such gains and losses generally are treated as long-term capital gains or losses.
If an Underlying Fund purchases a debt obligation with original issue discount ("OID"), generally at a price less than its principal amount, such as a zero-coupon bond, the Underlying Fund may be required to annually include in its taxable income a portion of the OID as ordinary income, even though the Underlying Fund will not receive cash payments for such discount until maturity or disposition of the obligation. A portion of the OID includible in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities may be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes. Gains recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation (including a municipal obligation) purchased by an Underlying Fund at a market discount, generally at a price less than its principal amount,
generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of market discount which accrued, but was not previously recognized pursuant to an available election, during the term that the Underlying Fund held the debt obligation. An Underlying Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the OID on debt securities that is currently includible in income, even though the cash representing such income may not have been received by the Underlying Fund. Cash to pay such distributions may be obtained from borrowing or from sales proceeds of securities held by an Underlying Fund which the Underlying Fund otherwise might have continued to hold.
If an option granted by an Underlying Fund lapses or is terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by the Underlying Fund of the option from its holder, the Underlying Fund generally will realize a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Underlying Fund in the closing transaction. Some capital losses may be deferred if they result from a position that is part of a "straddle," discussed below. If securities are sold by an Underlying Fund pursuant to the exercise of a call option granted by it, the Underlying Fund will add the premium received to the sale price of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. If securities are purchased by an Underlying Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Underlying Fund will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.
Some regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts, and non-equity listed options used by an Underlying Fund will be deemed "Section 1256 contracts." An Underlying Fund will be required to "mark to market" any such contracts held at the end of the taxable year by treating them as if they had been sold on the last day of that year at fair market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on all dispositions of Section 1256 contracts, including deemed dispositions under the "mark-to-market" rule, generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 40% will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Certain transactions that qualify as designated "hedging transactions," as defined in Section 1221(b)(2) of the IRC, are excepted from the mark-to-market rule and the "60%/40%" rule.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by an Underlying Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the IRC, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of the Underlying Fund's income. Under Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future, any such transactions that are not directly related to an Underlying Fund's principal business of investing in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Underlying Fund to satisfy the 90% income test described above. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year exceeds an Underlying Fund's investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss), the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be deductible by the Underlying Fund or its shareholders in future years.
Offsetting positions held by an Underlying Fund involving certain financial forward, futures or options contracts may be considered, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to constitute "straddles." "Straddles" are defined to include "offsetting positions" in actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of "straddles" is governed by Section 1092 of the IRC which, in certain circumstances, overrides or modifies the provisions of Section 1256. If an Underlying Fund is treated as entering into "straddles" by engaging in certain financial forward, futures or option contracts, such straddles could be characterized as "mixed straddles" if one or more (but not all) of the futures, forward, or option contracts or other positions comprising a part of such straddles are governed by Section 1256 of the IRC, described above. An Underlying Fund may make one or more elections with respect to "mixed straddles." Depending upon which election is made, if any, the results with respect to an Underlying Fund may differ. Generally, to the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by an Underlying Fund, losses realized by the Underlying Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle and the conversion transaction rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain may be characterized as short-term capital gain or ordinary income. Further, the Underlying Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than deduct currently, any interest expense on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry any positions that are part of a straddle. Because the application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains and losses, defer losses, and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to Underlying Fund shareholders, and which will be taxed to Underlying Fund shareholders as ordinary income of long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to an Underlying Fund that had not engaged in such transactions.
If an Underlying Fund enters into a "constructive sale" of any appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest, or certain debt instruments, the Underlying Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must
recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale occurs when an Underlying Fund enters into one of the following transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon an Underlying Fund's holding period in the property. Losses from a constructive sale of property will be recognized when the property is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon an Underlying Fund's holding period in the property and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the IRC. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to a transaction if such transaction is closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of the Underlying Fund's taxable year, the Underlying Fund holds the appreciated financial position throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed, and the Underlying Fund's risk of loss with respect to such position is not reduced at any time during such 60-day period.
The amount of long-term capital gain an Underlying Fund may recognize from derivative transactions is limited with respect to certain pass-through entities. The amount of long-term capital gain is limited to the amount of such gain an Underlying Fund would have had if the Underlying Fund directly invested in the pass-through entity during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain in excess of this amount is treated as ordinary income. An interest charge is imposed on the amount of gain that is treated as ordinary income.
"Passive foreign investment corporations" ("PFICs") are generally defined as foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such passive income. If an Underlying Fund acquires any equity interest (which generally includes not only stock but may also include an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond under Treasury Regulations that may be promulgated in the future) in a PFIC, the Underlying Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and IRS interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of stock in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Underlying Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. Excess distributions will be characterized as ordinary income even though, absent the application of PFIC rules, some excess distributions would have been classified as capital gain.
An Underlying Fund will not be permitted to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for taxes and interest charges incurred with respect to PFICs. Elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require an Underlying Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. Investments in PFICs could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Underlying Fund may limit and/or manage their holdings in PFICs to minimize their tax liability or maximize their returns from these investments. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC in advance of acquiring shares in the corporation, however, an Underlying Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Rules governing the federal income tax aspects of swap agreements are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects. Accordingly, while each Underlying Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner it deems to be appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of an Underlying Fund as a regulated investment company might be jeopardized. The Underlying Funds intend to monitor developments in this area. Certain requirements that must be met under the IRC in order for each Underlying Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which an Underlying Fund will be able to engage in swap agreements.
In addition to the investments described above, prospective shareholders should be aware that other investments made by the Underlying Fund may involve sophisticated tax rules that may result in income or gain recognition by the Underlying Fund without corresponding current cash receipts. Although the Underlying Fund seeks to avoid significant non-cash income, such non-cash income could be recognized by the Underlying Fund, in which case the Underlying Fund may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above. In this regard, the Underlying Fund could be required at times to liquidate investments prematurely in order to satisfy their minimum distribution requirements. In addition, payments received by the Underlying Funds in connection with securities lending and repurchase agreements will not qualify for recently enacted reductions in individual federal income tax on certain dividends and so may be taxable as ordinary income.
TAXATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a LifePath Portfolio's earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the LifePath Portfolio's taxable year and are allocated pro rata to distributions made throughout the entire year. All distributions paid out of a LifePath Portfolio's earnings and profits (as determined at the end of the year), whether paid in cash or reinvested in the LifePath Portfolio, generally are deemed to be taxable distributions and must generally be reported on each LifePath Portfolio shareholder's U.S. federal income tax return. Distributions in excess of a LifePath Portfolio's earnings and
profits will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder's tax basis in the shareholder's LifePath Portfolio shares and any such amount in excess of that basis as capital gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. A LifePath Portfolio may make distributions in excess of earnings and profits to a limited extent, from time to time.
In general, assuming that each LifePath Portfolio has sufficient earnings and profits, distributions from investment company taxable income either are taxable as ordinary income or, if so designated by a LifePath Portfolio and certain other conditions are met, as "qualified dividend income" taxable at a reduced U.S. federal income tax rate to individual shareholders. Dividend income distributed to individual shareholders will qualify as "qualified dividend income" as that term is defined in Section 1(h)(11)(B) of the IRC to the extent such distributions are attributable to income from the LifePath Portfolio's investments in common and preferred stock of U.S. companies and stock of certain qualified foreign corporations provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met by both the LifePath Portfolio and the shareholders.
A distribution that is attributable to qualified dividend income of a LifePath Portfolio that is paid by the LifePath Portfolio to an individual shareholder will not be taxable as qualified dividend income to such shareholder if (1) the dividend is received with respect to any share of the LifePath Portfolio held for fewer than 61 days during the 121 day-period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share became ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) the shareholder elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. The "ex-dividend" date is the date on which the owner of the share at the commencement of such date is entitled to receive the next issued dividend payment for such share even if the share is sold by the owner on that date or thereafter.
Distributions designated by a LifePath Portfolio as a capital gain dividend will be taxed to its shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the LifePath Portfolio's actual net capital gain for the taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held LifePath Portfolio shares. Each LifePath Portfolio will designate capital gain distributions, if any, in a written notice mailed by the LifePath Portfolio to its shareholders no later than 60 days after the close of the LifePath Portfolio's taxable year. The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to shareholders annually.
SALES OF PORTFOLIO SHARES. Redemptions generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in LifePath Portfolio shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transaction. In general, if LifePath Portfolio shares are sold, a shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held such LifePath Portfolio shares for more than one year at the time of the sale.
Also, if a shareholder realizes a loss on a disposition of LifePath Portfolio shares, the loss will be disallowed to the extent that he or she purchases substantially identical shares within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. Any disallowed loss generally will be included in the tax basis of the purchased shares. If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to any LifePath Portfolio share and such LifePath Portfolio share is held for six months or less, then (unless otherwise disallowed) any loss on the sale or exchange of that LifePath Portfolio share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of a LifePath Portfolio of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases exempt from this requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not exempt. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
FOREIGN TAXES. Amounts realized by a LifePath Portfolio on foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a LifePath Portfolio's total assets at the close of its taxable year were to consist of securities of non-U.S. corporations, the LifePath Portfolio would be eligible to file an annual election with the IRS pursuant to which the LifePath Portfolio could pass through to its shareholders on a pro rata basis foreign income and similar taxes paid by
the LifePath Portfolio, which could be claimed, subject to certain limitations, either as a tax credit or deduction by shareholders. However, none of the LifePath Portfolios expect to qualify for this election.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX RATES. As of the date of this SAI, the maximum stated individual federal income tax rate applicable to (i) ordinary income generally is 35%; (ii) qualified dividend income is 15%; (iii) capital gain dividends is 15%; and (iv) long-term capital gains generally is 15%. An individual shareholder also should be aware that the benefits of the favorable tax rates applicable to capital gain dividends, long-term capital gains, and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax.
The current maximum stated corporate federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income, qualified dividend income, capital gain dividends, and long-term capital gains is generally 35%. Actual marginal tax rates may be higher for some shareholders, for example, through reductions in deductions. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by any taxpayer will be affected by a combination of tax laws covering, for example, deductions, credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters. Federal income tax rates are set to increase in future years under various "sunset" provisions of laws enacted in 2001 and 2003.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Trust may be required to withhold, subject to certain exemptions, at a rate of 28% ("backup withholding") on all distributions and redemption proceeds (including proceeds from exchanges and redemptions in-kind) paid or credited to a LifePath Portfolio shareholder, unless the shareholder generally certifies under penalties of perjury that the "taxpayer identification number" ("TIN"), generally the shareholder's social security or employer identification number, provided is correct and that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or the IRS notifies the LifePath Portfolio that the shareholder's TIN is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding. This tax is not an additional federal income tax imposed on the shareholder, and the shareholder may claim the tax withheld as a tax payment on his or her federal income tax return, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. An investor must provide a valid TIN upon opening or reopening an account. If a shareholder fails to furnish a valid TIN upon request, the shareholder can also be subject to IRS penalties. The rate of back-up withholding is set to increase in future years under "sunset" provisions of law enacted in 2001.
TAX-DEFERRED PLANS. The shares of the LifePath Portfolios are available for a variety of tax-deferred retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts, including IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plans ("SEP-IRAs"), Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees ("SIMPLE Plans"), Roth IRAs, and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. Prospective investors should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of holding LifePath Portfolio shares through a tax-advantaged plan or account.
CORPORATE SHAREHOLDERS. Subject to limitations and other rules, a corporate shareholder of a LifePath Portfolio may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction on the LifePath Portfolio distributions to the extent that such distributions are attributable to dividends from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such deduction. In general, a distribution by a LifePath Portfolio attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will only be eligible for the deduction if certain holding period requirements are met. These requirements are complex, and, therefore, corporate shareholders of the LifePath Portfolios are urged to consult their own tax advisers and financial planners.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. With respect to taxable years of a LifePath Portfolio beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008, certain distributions, if designated by a LifePath Portfolio as "interest-related dividends," that are generally attributable to the LifePath Portfolio's net interest income earned on certain debt obligations paid to a non-resident alien individual, foreign trust (I.E., a trust other than a trust which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of that trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control substantial decisions of that trust), foreign estate (I.E., the income of which is not subject to U.S. tax regardless of source) or a foreign corporation (each, a "foreign shareholder") generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax withholding tax, provided the LifePath Portfolio obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status from such foreign shareholder ("exempt foreign shareholder"). Each LifePath Portfolio may choose to designate any interest-related dividends in a written notice mailed by the LifePath Portfolio to its shareholders no later than 60 days after the close of the LifePath Portfolio's taxable year. Other distributions made to exempt foreign shareholders attributable to net investment income, such as dividends received by a LifePath Portfolio, generally will be subject to non-refundable federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or a lower rate, if so provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a distribution described above is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment) of the recipient foreign shareholder, federal income tax withholding and exemptions attributable to foreign persons will not apply and the distribution will be subject to the tax, reporting and withholding requirements generally applicable to U.S. persons.
In general, a foreign shareholder's capital gains realized on the disposition of LifePath Portfolio shares, capital gain distributions and, with respect to taxable years of a LifePath Portfolio beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2008, "short-term capital gain distributions" (defined below) are not subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding, provided that the LifePath Portfolio obtains a properly completed and signed certificate of foreign status, unless: (i) such gains or distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business (or, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment) of the foreign shareholder; (ii) in the case of an individual foreign shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met; or (iii) with respect to taxable years of a LifePath Portfolio beginning on or after January 1, 2005, and before January 1, 2008, such gains or distributions are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest. If such gains or distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business or are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the foreign shareholder pursuant to an income tax treaty, the tax, reporting and withholding requirements applicable to U.S. persons generally apply. If such gains or distributions are not effectively connected for this purpose, but the foreign shareholder meets the requirements of clause (ii) described above, such gains and distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate, if so provided under an applicable income tax treaty). Gains or distributions attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests are taxed to a foreign shareholder as if that gain were effectively connected with the shareholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business, and therefore such gains or distributions may be required to be reported by a foreign shareholder on a U.S. federal income tax return. Such gains or distributions also will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. holders and/or may be subject to federal income tax withholding. While the LifePath Portfolios do not expect LifePath Portfolio shares to constitute U.S. real property interests, a portion of a LifePath Portfolio's distributions may be attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests. Foreign shareholders should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of such distributions. "Short-term capital gain distributions" are certain distributions that a LifePath Portfolio may choose to designate as such in a written notice mailed by the LifePath Portfolio to its shareholders no later than 60 days after the close of the LifePath Portfolio's taxable year generally attributable to its net short-term capital gain.
If a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the U.S. at the time of the shareholder's death, LifePath Portfolio shares will be deemed to be property situated in the U.S. and will be subject to U.S. federal estate taxes (at current graduated rates of 18% to 45% of the total value, less allowable deductions and credits). With respect to estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2008, if a foreign shareholder is a resident of a foreign country but is not a citizen or resident of the United States at the time of the shareholder's death, LifePath Portfolio shares will not be deemed to be property situated in the United States in the proportion that, at the end of the quarter of the LifePath Portfolio's taxable year immediately preceding the shareholder's date of death, the assets of the LifePath Portfolio that were "qualifying assets" (I.E., bank deposits, debt obligations or property not within the United States) with respect to the decedent bore to the total assets of the LifePath Portfolio. In general, no federal gift tax will be imposed on gifts of Portfolio shares made by foreign shareholders.
The availability of reduced U.S. taxes pursuant to the 1972 Convention or the applicable estate tax convention depends upon compliance with established procedures for claiming the benefits thereof, and may, under certain circumstances, depend upon the foreign shareholder making a satisfactory demonstration to U.S. tax authorities that the shareholder qualifies as a foreign person under federal income tax laws and the 1972 Convention.
Special rules apply to foreign partnerships and those holding LifePath Portfolio shares through foreign partnerships.
Capital Stock
As of the date of this SAI, the beneficial interests in the Trust are divided into transferable shares of eleven separate and distinct series authorized and established by the Board of Trustees. The number of shares of each series, and class thereof, is unlimited and each share has no par value. The Board of Trustees may, in the future, authorize the issuance of other series representing shares of additional investment portfolios or funds.
Although the Trust is not required to hold regular annual shareholder meetings, occasional annual or special meetings may be required for purposes such as electing and removing Trustees, approving advisory contracts, and changing a LifePath Portfolio's investment objective or fundamental investment policies.
VOTING. All shares of the Trust will be voted separately by individual series,
except: (i) when required by the 1940 Act, shares will be voted in the
aggregate and not by individual series; and (ii) when the Trustees have
determined that the matter affects the interests of more than one series, then
the shareholders of all such affected series will be entitled to vote thereon
in the aggregate and not by individual series. The Trustees also may determine
that a matter affects only the interests of one or more classes of a series, in
which case any such matter will be voted on separately by such class or
classes. For example, a change in a LifePath Portfolio's fundamental investment
policy would be voted upon only by shareholders of that LifePath Portfolio.
Additionally, approval of a Master Portfolio's Advisory Contract is a matter to
be determined separately by each Master Portfolio. Approval by the shareholders
of a LifePath Portfolio is effective as to that LifePath Portfolio whether or
not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other investment
portfolios to approve the proposal as to those investment portfolios. As used
in the Prospectuses of each LifePath Portfolio and in this SAI, the term "1940
Act majority," when referring to approvals to be obtained from shareholders of
the LifePath Portfolio, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares
of the LifePath Portfolio represented at a meeting if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the LifePath Portfolio are present in person
or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the LifePath
Portfolio. The term "majority," when referring to the approvals to be obtained
from shareholders of the Trust as a whole, means the vote of the lesser of (i)
67% of the Trust's shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than
50% of the Trust's outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares.
Each share will entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each dollar (and each fractional dollar thereof) of NAV (number of shares owned times NAV per share) of shares outstanding in such holder's name on the books of the Trust. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Depending on the terms of a particular benefit plan and the matter being submitted to a vote, a sponsor may request direction from individual participants regarding a shareholder vote. For additional voting information and a discussion of the possible effects of changes to a Master Portfolio's objective or policies on a LifePath Portfolio, as an interestholder in the Master Portfolio, or the LifePath Portfolio's shareholders, see "Master/Feeder Structure" above.
The Trust may dispense with an annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which it is not required to elect Trustees under the 1940 Act. However, the Trust will hold a special meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of voting on the question of removal of a Trustee or Trustees if requested in writing by the holders of at least 10% of the Trust's outstanding voting securities, and to assist in communicating with other shareholders as required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. Each share of a LifePath Portfolio represents an equal proportional interest in the LifePath Portfolio with each other share and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to the LifePath Portfolio as are declared in the discretion of the Trustees. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, shareholders of a LifePath Portfolio are entitled to receive the assets attributable to the LifePath Portfolio that are available for distribution, and a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular investment portfolio that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights. All shares, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.
THE MASTER PORTFOLIOS. MIP is an open-end, series management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on October 20, 1993. MIP's Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of MIP are not binding upon its Trustees individually but only upon the property of MIP and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustee's office.
The interests in each Master Portfolio of MIP have voting and other rights generally corresponding to those rights enumerated above for shares of the LifePath Portfolios. MIP also intends to dispense with annual meetings, but is required by Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act to hold a special meeting and assist investor communications under the circumstances described above with respect to the Trust. Whenever a LifePath Portfolio is requested to vote on a matter with respect to its Master Portfolio, the LifePath Portfolio will follow its voting procedures, as described in "Voting" above.
Additional Information on the LifePath Portfolios
The Trust provides annual and semi-annual reports to all shareholders. The annual reports contain audited financial statements and other information about the LifePath Portfolios, including additional information on performance. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Trust's most recent annual or semi-annual reports without charge by calling 1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544) (toll-free) or e-mailing the Funds at BGIFUNDS@seic.com.
The registration statement, including the Prospectuses, this SAI and the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Statements contained in the Prospectuses or this SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or in the Prospectuses 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, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the Prospectuses, this SAI and in the Trust's official sales literature in connection with the offer of the LifePath Portfolios' shares and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust. This SAI does not constitute an offer in any state in which, or to any person to whom, such offering may not lawfully be made.
Financial Statements
The audited financial statements, including the schedule of investments, financial highlights and independent registered public accounting firm's reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for each LifePath Portfolio and related Master Portfolio are hereby incorporated by reference to the Trust's annual report, as filed with the SEC on March 9, 2007. The audited financial statements are attached to all SAIs delivered to shareholders or prospective shareholders.
Disclaimers
The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, iShares iShares S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund and the iShares S&P Small Cap 600 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the iShares Trust (as used in these Disclaimers, the "Trust") or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in shares of the Trust. Standard & Poor's only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and service marks of Standard & Poor's and of the Standard & Poor's Indexes, which are determined, composed, and calculated by Standard & Poor's without regard to the Trust, BGI or BGFA. Standard & Poor's has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Standard & Poor's Indexes. Standard & Poor's is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed for sale or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Standard & Poor's has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust, or the marketing or trading of shares. Standard & Poor's does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein and Standard & Poor's shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Standard & Poor's makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Standard & Poor's makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Standard & Poor's Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Standard & Poor's have any liability for any lost profit or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Standard & Poor's and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Russell MidCap Index Fund and the iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell Investment Group. Russell Investment Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Trust or to any member of the public regarding the advisability of outing or trading in shares of the Trust or the ability of the Russell Indexes to track general stock market performance. Russell Investment Group is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks, and trade names. The Russell Indexes on which the Funds are based are determined, composed, and calculated by Russell Investment Group without regard to the Funds, BGI or BGFA. Russell Investment Group has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of shares into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell Indexes. Russell Investment Group is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or timing of, the prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Russell Investment Group has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Although Russell Investment Group obtains information for inclusion or use in the calculation of the Russell Indexes from sources that Russell Investment Group considers reliable, Russell Investment Group does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Russell Investment Group makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be
obtained by BGI, BGFA, owners of shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity from the use of the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Russell Investment Group makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Russell Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Russell Investment Group have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements between Russell Investment Group and BGI and BGFA.
The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers. Cohen & Steers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Trust or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund particularly or the ability of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index to track general stock market performance. Cohen & Steers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI and BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Cohen & Steers and of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index which is determined, composed and calculated by Cohen & Steers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers has no obligation to take the needs of BGFA, BGI or the owners of shares of the Trust into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index. Cohen & Steers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund are to be converted into cash. Cohen & Steers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund. Cohen & Steers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein and Cohen & Steers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Cohen & Steers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, owners of shares of the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund, or any other person or entity from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Cohen & Steers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Cohen & Steers have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The iShares MSCI Canada Index Fund, iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the "iShares MSCI Index Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI or any affiliate of MSCI. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the iShares MSCI Index Funds particularly or the ability of the MSCI Indexes to track general stock market performance. MSCI is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to BGI, BGFA or the iShares MSCI Index Funds. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI Indexes. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds or the timing of the issuance or sale of such shares. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes has any obligation or liability to owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds in connection with the administration of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or the marketing or trading of shares of the iShares MSCI Index Funds. Although MSCI obtains information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the MSCI Indexes from sources which MSCI considers reliable, neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes guarantees the accuracy and or the completeness of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by BGI, BGFA, the owners of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity from the use of the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed hereunder or for any other use. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes shall have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions of or in connection with the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Neither MSCI, any of its affiliates nor any other party involved in making or compiling the MSCI Indexes makes any express or implied warranties, and MSCI hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the MSCI Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, any of its affiliates or any other party involved in making or
compiling the MSCI Indexes have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
No purchaser, seller or holder of the iShares MSCI Index Funds, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote iShares without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI's permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.
The iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 1-3 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 3-7 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 10-20 Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Intermediate Government/Credit Bond Fund, iShares Lehman MBS Fixed-Rate Bond Fund, iShares Lehman Short Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund (collectively, the "Lehman Funds") are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Treasury Funds or the Lehman Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of owning or trading in the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers' only relationship to the Trust, BGI or BGFA is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of the Lehman Brothers Indexes, which are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to the Trust, BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds. Lehman Brothers has no obligation to take the needs of BGI, BGFA or the owners of the Lehman Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Lehman Brothers Indexes. Lehman Brothers is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination or the timing of prices, or quantities of shares to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which shares are to be converted into cash. Lehman Brothers has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration of the Trust or the marketing or trading of shares. Lehman Brothers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Lehman Brothers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained by BGI and BGFA or owners of the shares of the Trust, or any other person or entity, from the use of the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Lehman Brothers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Lehman Brothers Indexes or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Lehman Brothers have any liability for any lost profits or special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages even if notified thereof. There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Lehman Brothers and BGI and BGFA.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the American Stock Exchange (the"AMEX"). The AMEX makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Funds or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track bond market performance. Each Underlying Index identified herein is determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The AMEX is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Funds to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The AMEX has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Funds in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Funds.
The AMEX does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The AMEX makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The AMEX makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the AMEX have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Shares of the Trust are not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the NYSE. The NYSE makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of any Fund or any member of the public regarding the ability of a Fund to track the total return performance of any Underlying Index or the ability of any Underlying Index identified herein to track stock market performance. The Underlying Indexes identified herein are determined, composed and calculated by Lehman Brothers without regard to any Fund. The NYSE is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the compilation or the
calculation of any Underlying Index, nor in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of any Fund to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The NYSE has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of any Fund in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the shares of the Fund.
The NYSE does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. The NYSE makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Trust on behalf of its Funds as licensee, licensee's customers and counterparties, owners of the shares, or any other person or entity from the use of the subject indexes or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed as described herein or for any other use. The NYSE makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
BGFA does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of any Underlying Index or any data included therein and BGFA shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein.
BGFA makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Funds, to the owners of the shares of any Fund, or to any other person or entity, from the use of any Underlying Index or any data included therein. BGFA makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to any Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BGFA have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Appendix
Description of certain ratings assigned by S&P, Moody's and Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch"):
"AAA"
An obligor rated `AAA' has EXTREMELY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.
"AA"
An obligor rated `AA' has VERY STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest rated obligors only in small degree.
"A"
An obligor rated `A' has STRONG capacity to meets its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher rated categories.
"BBB"
An obligor rated `BBB' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"BB"
An obligor rated `BB' is LESS VULNERABLE in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligor rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE than the obligors rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments.
"CCC"
An obligor rated `CCC' is CURRENTLY VULNERABLE, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meets its financial commitments.
"CC"
An obligor rated `CC' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE.
Obligors rated `BB', `B', `CCC', and `CC' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. `BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and `CC' the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-)
The ratings from `AA' to `CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligation on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
"PUBLIC INFORMATION RATINGS"
Ratings with a `pi' subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer's published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer's management and are therefore based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a `pi' subscript. Ratings with a `pi' subscript are reviewed annually based on each new year's financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer's credit quality.
Outlooks are not provided for ratings with a `pi' subscript, nor are they subject to potential CreditWatch listings. Ratings with a `pi' subscript generally are not modified with `+' or `-' designations. However, such designations may be assigned when the issuer's credit rating is constrained by sovereign risk or the credit quality of a parent company or affiliated group.
"A-1"
An obligor rated `A-1' has STRONG capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments is EXTREMELY STRONG.
"A-2"
An obligor rated `A-2' has SATISFACTORY capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
"A-3"
An obligor rated `A-3' has ADEQUATE capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
"B"
An obligation rated `B' is MORE VULNERABLE to non-payment then obligations rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
"C"
A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated `C' is CURRENTLY HIGHLY VULNERABLE to non-payment. The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this
obligation are being continued. A `C' also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
"R"
An obligor rated `R' is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over another class or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"SD" AND "D"
An obligor rated `SD' (Selective Default) or `D' has failed to pay one or more of its financial obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A `D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An `SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&P issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
"N.R."
An issuer designated `N.R.' is not rated.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of S&P analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.
"AAA"
Obligations rated `Aaa' are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
"AA"
Obligations rated `Aa' are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
"A"
Obligations rated `A' are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
"BAA"
Obligations rated `Baa' are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
"BA"
Obligations rated `Ba' are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
"B"
Obligations rated `B' are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
"CAA"
Obligations rated `Caa' are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
"CA"
Obligations rated `Ca' are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
"C"
Obligations rated `C' are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
NOTE: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
"P-1"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-1' have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-2"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-2' have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
"P-3"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Prime-3' have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
"NP"
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated `Not Prime' do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch's long-term credit ratings represent Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt. The ratings take into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current financial condition and operative performance of the issuer and of any guarantor, as well as the political and economic environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
"AAA"
Highest credit quality. `AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
"AA"
Very high credit quality. `AA' ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
"A"
High credit quality. `A' ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
"BBB"
Good credit quality. `BBB' ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
"BB"
Speculative. `BB' ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
"B"
Highly speculative. `B' ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"CCC", "CC" AND "C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic development. A `CC' rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. `C' ratings signal imminent default.
"RD"
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due on 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.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the `AAA' long-term category, to categories below `CCC', or to short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
Fitch's short-term credit ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment notes.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
"F-1"
Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
"F-2"
Good credit quality. Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
"F-3"
Fair credit quality. Indicates the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
"B"
Speculative. Indicates minimal capacity for timely payments of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
"C"
High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Indicates capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
"D"
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
"NR"
Denotes that Fitch Ratings does not publicly rate the associated issue or issuer.
NOTE: The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
FILE NO. 33-54126; 811-7332
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Amendment No. 59
Item 23. Exhibits.
Exhibit Description
------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (a)(1) Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated November 17, 2006, is filed herewith. (b)(1) Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated November 17, 2006, are filed herewith. (c) Not applicable. (d) Not applicable. (e)(1) Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI") on behalf of the Funds, dated March 31, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 42, filed May 1, 2003. (e)(2) Amended Schedule I to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI is filed herewith. (f) Not applicable. (g)(1) Custody Agreement between Registrant and Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT") on behalf of the Funds, dated October 21, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 22, filed July 30, 1999 ("PEA No. 22"). (g)(2) Amendment to Custody Agreement, effective September 1, 2004, between Registrant and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57, filed March 2, 2006 ("PEA No. 57"). (g)(3) Amendment to Custody Agreement, effective January 1, 2006, between Registrant and IBT is filed herewith. (h)(1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and IBT on behalf of the Funds, dated February 27, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 22. (h)(2) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, effective June 1, 2001, between Registrant and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57. (h)(3) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, effective September 1, 2004, between Registrant and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57. (h)(4) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 8, 2005, between Registrant and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57. (h)(5) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, effective January 1, 2006, between Registrant and IBT is filed herewith. (h)(6) Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing Plan, with respect to the Funds and their relevant classes as listed in Schedule 1 thereto, initially adopted on November 27, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 58, filed April 28, 2006 ("PEA No. 58"). (h)(7) Amended and Restated Shareholder Servicing and Processing Plan, with respect to only the Trust Class Shares of the Funds listed in Schedule 1 thereto, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No 58. (h)(8) Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Registrant and Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI"), dated May 1, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No 58. |
Exhibit Description
------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (h)(9) Master Administration Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and BGI, dated September 1, 2006, is filed herewith. |
(h)(10) Sub-Administration Agreement among Registrant, BGI, and IBT on behalf of the Funds, dated October 21, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14, filed June 30, 1997.
(h)(11) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement, effective December 31, 2002, between Registrant, BGI and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57.
(h)(12) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement, effective September 1, 2004, between Registrant, BGI and IBT is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No 58.
(h)(13) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement, effective January 1, 2006, between Registrant, BGI and IBT is filed herewith.
(h)(14) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement, effective January 1, 2007, between Registrant, BGI and IBT is filed herewith.
(h)(15) Revised Master Fee Schedule, dated January 1, 2006, to each of the Sub-Administration, Custody and Transfer Agency and Service Agreements between Registrant and IBT is filed herewith.
(h)(16) Service Agreement between Registrant and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") on behalf of the Funds, dated December 31, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 15, filed June 30, 1998 ("PEA No. 15").
(h)(17) Financial Services Agreement between Registrant and Merrill Lynch on behalf of the Funds, dated December 31, 1997, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 15.
(h)(18) License Agreement, dated January 1, 2003, between Standard & Poor's and BGI is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57.
(h)(19) Securities Lending Agency Agreement, dated April 2, 2007, between Registrant and BGI is filed herewith.
(h)(20) Independent Expense Waiver Agreement among Registrant, Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"), BGI and Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA"), dated April 12, 2007, is filed herewith.
(h)(21) Form of Bank Agency Agreement between Registrant and SEI is filed herewith.
(h)(22) Form of Sub-Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI is filed herewith.
(i) Consent of Counsel (Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP) is filed herewith.
(j)(1) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) is filed herewith.
(j)(2) Powers of Attorney for Mary G. F. Bitterman, Lee T. Kranefuss and Leo Soong are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57.
(j)(3) Powers of Attorney for A. John Gambs and Wendy Paskin-Jordan are incorporated herein by reference to PEA No 58.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Distribution Plan, dated March 2, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57.
(n) Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No 58.
(p)(1) Joint Code of Ethics of Registrant and MIP, dated June 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57.
Exhibit Description
------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (p)(2) Code of Ethics of BGFA, dated June 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 57. (p)(3) Code of Ethics of SEI, dated January 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to PEA No. 56. |
Item 24. PersonsControlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
The chart below identifies persons who are controlled by or who are under common control with a Fund (or Fund class). For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to "control" such company. Each of the companies listed below is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Percentage Person Controlled by or under Common Control with of Voting Fund or Fund Class the Registrant Securities ------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ---------- LifePath 2020 Portfolio(R) Active Stock Master Portfolio 32% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath 2030 Portfolio(R) Active Stock Master Portfolio 28% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Bond Index Fund Bond Index Master Portfolio 100% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath 2010 Portfolio(R) CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio 31% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath 2020 Portfolio(R) CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio 36% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Government Money Market Fund Government Money Market Master Portfolio 100% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Treasury Money Market Fund Treasury Money Market Master Portfolio 100% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Institutional Money Market Fund Money Market Master Portfolio 84% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath(R) Retirement Portfolio LifePath Retirement Master Portfolio 43% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
Percentage Person Controlled by or under Common Control with of Voting Fund or Fund Class the Registrant Securities ------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ---------- LifePath 2010 Portfolio(R) LifePath 2010 Master Portfolio 50% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath 2030 Portfolio(R) LifePath 2030 Master Portfolio 50% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 LifePath 2040 Portfolio(R) LifePath 2040 Master Portfolio 50% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Prime Money Market Fund Prime Money Market Master Portfolio 87% 45 Fremont Street San Francisco, CA 94105 |
Item 25. Indemnification.
Section 10.02 of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides:
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph
(b) below: (i) every Person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the
Trust (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") shall be indemnified by
the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against
all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim,
action, suit, or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or
otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee or officer and
against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof; and
(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to all
claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other, including
appeals), actual or threatened, while in office or thereafter, and the words
"liability" and "expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorney's fees,
costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other
liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the
proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or (B) not to
have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the
best interest of the Trust; or (ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there
has been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office: (A) by the court or other body approving
the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who neither are
Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a
review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or
(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of
readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); provided,
however, that any Shareholder, by appropriate legal proceedings, may challenge
any such determination by the Trustees or by independent counsel.
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in
connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim,
action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this
Section 10.02 may be paid by the Trust or Series from time to time prior to
final disposition thereof upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of
such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust or
Series if it ultimately is determined that he or she is not entitled to
indemnification under this Section 10.02; provided, however, that either
(a) such Covered Person shall have provided appropriate security for such
undertaking; (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such
advance payments; or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither
Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal
counsel in a written opinion, shall have
determined, based upon a review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is a reason to believe that such Covered Person will be found entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
The Funds currently do not retain an investment adviser. The corresponding MIP Master Portfolio to a given Fund is advised by BGFA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BGI, located at 45 Fremont St., San Francisco, CA 94105. BGFA's business is that of a registered investment adviser to certain open-end, management investment companies and various other institutional investors.
The directors and officers of BGFA consist primarily of persons who during the past two years have been active in the investment management business. Each of the directors and executive officers of BGFA will also have substantial responsibilities as directors and/or officers of BGI. Information as to the executive officers and directors of BGFA is included in its Form ADV initially filed with the SEC (File No. 801-22609) on November 15, 1984, and updated thereafter, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Furnish the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for which each principal underwriter currently distributing the securities of the Registrant also acts as a principal underwriter, distributor or investment adviser.
Registrant's distributor, SEI (the "Distributor"), acts as distributor for:
SEI Daily Income Trust iShares, Inc. SEI Liquid Asset Trust CNI Charter Funds SEI Tax Exempt Trust Oak Associates Funds SEI Index Funds iShares Trust SEI Institutional Managed Trust Johnson Family Funds, Inc. SEI Institutional International Trust Causeway Capital Management Trust The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund The Japan Fund, Inc. The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund II Barclays Global Investors Funds Bishop Street Funds The Arbitrage Funds SEI Asset Allocation Trust The Turner Funds SEI Institutional Investments Trust ProShares Trust HighMark Funds Community Reinvestment Act Qualified Investment Fund |
The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers, pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services and automated execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions.
(b) Furnish the information required by the following table with respect to each director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter named in the answer to Item 20 of Part B. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each director or officer is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices Name Underwriter with Registrant ---- ----------------------------------- --------------------- William M. Doran Director -- Edward D. Loughlin Director -- Wayne M. Withrow Director -- Kevin Barr President & Chief Executive Officer -- Maxine Chou Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer -- Thomas Rodman Chief Operations Officer -- John Munch General Counsel & Secretary -- Karen LaTourette Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Officer & Assistant Secretary -- Mark J. Held Senior Vice President -- |
Positions and Offices Name Positions and Offices with Underwriter with Registrant ---- -------------------------------------- --------------------- Lori L. White Vice President & Assistant Secretary -- Robert Silvestri Vice President -- John Coary Vice President & Assistant Secretary -- Michael Farrell Vice President -- Al DelPizzo Vice President -- Mark McManus Vice President |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
(a) The Registrant maintains accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder (collectively, "Records") at the offices of IBT, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
(b) BGFA and BGI maintain all Records relating to their services as adviser to the MIP Master Portfolios and administrator, respectively, at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, California 94105.
(c) SEI maintains all Records relating to its services as distributor at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
(d) IBT maintains all Records relating to its services as sub-administrator, transfer agent and custodian at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
Item 29. Management Services.
Other than as set forth under the caption "Management" in the Statements of Additional Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
Item 30. Undertakings.
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of California on the 30th day of April, 2007.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
By /s/ Michael A. Latham ----------------------------- Michael A. Latham Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Michael A. Latham Secretary and Treasurer April 30, 2007 |
---------------------- (Chief Financial Officer) Michael A. Latham
* Chairman, President and Trustee ---------------------- (Chief Executive Officer)
(Lee T. Kranefuss) April 30, 2007 * Trustee ---------------------- (Leo Soong) April 30, 2007 * * Trustee ---------------------- (A. John Gambs) April 30, 2007 * * Trustee ---------------------- (Wendy Paskin-Jordan) April 30, 2007 -------- *, ** By: /s/ Michael A. Latham ------------------------- Michael A. Latham |
* As Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to the power of attorney as filed on March 2, 2006. ** As Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to the power of attorney as filed on April 28,
2006.
SIGNATURES
This Registration Statement contains certain disclosures regarding series of the Master Investment Portfolio (the "Trust"). The Trust has, subject to the next sentence, duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Registrant") to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco and the State of California on April 30, 2007. The Trust is executing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
MASTER INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
By: /s/ Michael A. Latham ----------------------------- Michael A. Latham Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) |
This Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Registrant has been signed below by the following persons, solely in the capacities indicated and subject to the next sentence on April 30, 2007. Each of the following persons is signing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
/s/ Michael A. Latham --------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007 Michael A. Latham Secretary and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) |
*
--------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007
Mary G.F. Bitterman Trustee
**
--------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007
A. John Gambs Trustee
*
--------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007
Lee T. Kranefuss Chairman, President and Trustee
(Chief Executive Officer)
**
--------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007
Wendy Paskin-Jordan Trustee
*
--------------------- ---------------------------------------- April 30, 2007
Leo Soong Trustee -------- *, ** By: /s/ Michael A. Latham ------------------------- Michael A.Latham |
* As Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to the power of attorney as filed on March 2, 2006. ** As Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to the power of attorney as filed on April 28,
2006.
Exhibit Index
(a)(1) Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
(b)(1) Amended and Restated By-Laws
(e)(2) Amended Schedule I to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI
(g)(3) Amendment to Custody Agreement between Registrant and IBT
(h)(5) Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and IBT
(h)(9) Master Administration Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and BGI
(h)(13) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement among Registrant, BGI and IBT
(h)(14) Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement among Registrant, BGI and IBT
(h)(15) Revised Master Fee Schedule
(h)(19) Securities Lending Agency Agreement between Registrant and BGI
(h)(20) Independent Expense Waiver Agreement among Registrant, MIP, BGI and
BGFA
(h)(21) Form of Bank Agency Agreement between Registrant and SEI
(h)(22) Form of Sub-Distribution Agreement between Registrant and SEI
(i) Consent of Counsel
(j)(1) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Exhibit (a)(1)
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
November 17, 2006
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- ARTICLE I Name and Definitions............................................. 1 Section 1.01. Name....................................................... 1 Section 1.02. Definitions................................................ 1 ARTICLE II Beneficial Interest............................................. 3 Section 2.01. Shares of Beneficial Ownership Interest.................... 3 Section 2.02. Issuance of Shares......................................... 3 Section 2.03. Ownership and Transfer of Shares........................... 3 Section 2.04. Treasury Shares............................................ 3 Section 2.05. Establishment of Series.................................... 4 Section 2.06. Investment in the Trust.................................... 4 Section 2.07. Assets and Liabilities of Series........................... 4 Section 2.08. No Preemptive Rights....................................... 5 Section 2.09. Personal Liability of Shareholders......................... 5 Section 2.10. Assent to Trust Instrument................................. 6 ARTICLE III The Trustees................................................... 6 Section 3.01. Management of the Trust.................................... 6 Section 3.02. Term of Office of Trustees................................. 6 Section 3.03. Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees...................... 7 Section 3.04. Limitation on Delegation................................... 7 Section 3.05. Number of Trustees......................................... 7 Section 3.06. Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc., of a Trustee........... 7 Section 3.07. Ownership of Assets of the Trust........................... 7 Section 3.08. Compensation............................................... 8 ARTICLE IV Powers of the Trustees.......................................... 8 Section 4.01. Powers..................................................... 8 Section 4.02. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares.......................... 11 Section 4.03. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders...................... 11 Section 4.04. Action by the Trustees..................................... 11 Section 4.05. Chairperson................................................ 11 Section 4.06. Principal Transactions..................................... 12 ARTICLE V Expenses of the Trust............................................ 12 Section 5.01. Payment of Expenses By The Trust........................... 12 ARTICLE VI Contracts with Service Providers................................ 13 Section 6.01. Investment Advisor......................................... 13 Section 6.02. Principal Underwriter...................................... 13 Section 6.03. Transfer Agent............................................. 13 Section 6.04. Administration Agreement................................... 13 Section 6.05. Service Agreement.......................................... 14 Section 6.06. Parties to Contract........................................ 14 i |
Section 6.07. Provisions and Amendments.................................. 14 ARTICLE VII Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings....................... 14 Section 7.01. Voting Powers.............................................. 14 Section 7.02. Quorum and Required Vote................................... 15 ARTICLE VIII Custodian..................................................... 16 Section 8.01. Appointment and Duties..................................... 16 Section 8.02. Central Certificate System................................. 16 ARTICLE IX Distributions and Redemptions................................... 17 Section 9.01. Distributions.............................................. 17 Section 9.02. Redemptions................................................ 17 Section 9.03. Determination of Net Asset Value........................... 18 Section 9.04. Suspension of the Right of Redemption...................... 18 Section 9.05. Share Ownership Information................................ 18 ARTICLE X Limitation of Liability and Indemnification...................... 19 Section 10.01. Limitation of Liability................................... 19 Section 10.02. Indemnification........................................... 19 Section 10.03. Shareholders.............................................. 21 Section 10.04. No Bond Required of Trustees.............................. 21 Section 10.05. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc 21 Section 10.06. Reliance on Experts, Etc.................................. 21 ARTICLE XI Miscellaneous................................................... 22 Section 11.01. Trust Not a Partnership................................... 22 Section 11.02. Trustee/Officer Action.................................... 22 Section 11.03. Termination of Trust...................................... 22 Section 11.04. Reorganization............................................ 23 Section 11.05. Filing of Copies; References; Headings.................... 23 Section 11.06. Applicable Law............................................ 24 Section 11.07. Amendments................................................ 24 Section 11.08. Derivative Actions........................................ 25 Section 11.09. Fiscal Year............................................... 25 Section 11.10. Provisions in Conflict With Law........................... 25 |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Trust Instrument") made this 17th day of November, 2006, by each of the undersigned Trustees (as defined below) whose signature is affixed hereto.
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to amend and restate the original Agreement and Declaration of Trust, made November 27, 2001 (the "Original Declaration of Trust"), as amended to the date hereof, in order to reflect the provisions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the Trust (as defined below) was initially established as a trust for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the Trust hereunder shall be held and managed in trust under this Trust Instrument as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
Name and Definitions
Section 1.01. Name. The name of the trust created hereby is "Barclays Global Investors Funds."
Section 1.02. Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
"1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
"Affiliated Person" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"Assignment" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"By-Laws" means the By-Laws referred to in Article IV, Section 4.01(e) hereof, as from time to time amended.
"Commission" has the meaning given it in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"Delaware Act" means the Delaware Statutory Trust Act Del. Code Ann. Tit.
12 (S)(S) 3801, et seq.
"Interested Person" has the meaning given to it in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"Majority Shareholder Vote" has the same meaning as the term "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" is given in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"Net Asset Value" means the net asset value of each Series (as defined
below) of the Trust determined in the manner provided in Article IX,
Section 9.03 hereof.
"Outstanding Shares" means those Shares (as defined below) shown from time to time in the books of the Trust or its Transfer Agent as then issued and outstanding, but shall not include Shares which have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust and which are at the time held in the treasury of the Trust.
"Principal Underwriter" has the meaning given to it in the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order or orders of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder.
"Series" means a series of Shares of the Trust established in accordance with the provisions of Article II, Section 2.05 hereof.
"Shareholder" means a record owner of Outstanding Shares of the Trust.
"Shares" means the equal proportionate transferable units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest of each Series of the Trust or class thereof shall be divided and may include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares.
"Trust" refers to Barclays Global Investors Funds (a Delaware statutory trust, formerly known as a Delaware business trust) and all Series of Barclays Global Investors Funds, and references to the Trust, when applicable to one or more Series of the Trust, refer to any such Series.
"Trustee" or "Trustees" means the person or persons who has or have signed this Trust Instrument, so long as he, she or they shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other persons who may from time to time be duly qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof and reference herein to a Trustee or to the Trustees shall refer to the individual Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder.
"Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of one or more of the Trust or any Series, or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust or any Series.
ARTICLE II
Beneficial Interest
Section 2.01. Shares of Beneficial Ownership Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct Series or classes of a Series as the Trustees shall from time to time create and establish. The number of Shares of each Series, and each class thereof, authorized hereunder is unlimited. Each Share shall have no par value. All Shares issued hereunder, including without limitation Shares issued in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
Section 2.02. Issuance of Shares. The Trustees in their discretion may, from time to time, without vote of the Shareholders, issue Shares, in addition to the then issued and outstanding Shares and Shares held in the treasury, to such party or parties and for such amount and type of consideration, subject to applicable law, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, and may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with, the assumption of liabilities) and businesses. In connection with any issuance of Shares, the Trustees may issue fractional Shares and Shares held in the treasury. The Trustees from time to time may divide or combine the Shares into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractional Shares.
Section 2.03. Ownership and Transfer of Shares. The Trust or a transfer agent for the Trust shall maintain a register containing the names and addresses of the Shareholders of each Series and class thereof, the number of Shares of each Series and class held by such Shareholders, and a record of all Share transfers. The register shall be conclusive as to the identity of Shareholders of record and the number of Shares held by them from time to time. The Trustees may authorize the issuance of certificates representing Shares and adopt rules governing their use. The Trustees may make rules governing the transfer of Shares, whether or not represented by certificates. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the books of the Trust only by the record holder thereof or by such holder's duly authorized agent upon delivery to the Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of transfer, together with a Share certificate if one is outstanding, and such evidence or the genuineness of each such execution and authorization and of such other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery, and subject to any further requirements specified by the Trustees or contained in the By-Laws, the transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Trust. Until a transfer is so recorded, the Shareholder of record of Shares shall be deemed to be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be affected by any notice of a proposed transfer.
Section 2.04. Treasury Shares. Shares held in the treasury shall, until reissued pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, not confer any voting rights on the Trustees, nor shall such Shares be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared with respect to the Shares.
Section 2.05. Establishment of Series. The Trust created hereby shall consist of one or more Series and separate and distinct records shall be maintained by the Trust of each Series and the assets associated with any such Series shall be held and accounted for separately from the assets of the Trust or any other Series. The Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of any Series of the Trust, to establish and designate and to change in any manner such Series of Shares or any classes of initial or additional Series and to fix such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges of such Series or classes thereof as the Trustees may from time to time determine, to divide and combine the Shares or any Series or classes thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued Shares or any Series or classes thereof into one or more Series or classes of Shares, or to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. The establishment and designation of any Series shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the Trustees setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such Series, whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth such relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such Series including, without limitation, any registration statement of the Trust. A Series may issue any number of Shares and need not issue shares. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular Series previously established and designated, the Trustees may by a majority vote abolish that Series and the establishment and designation thereof.
All references to Shares in this Trust Instrument shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all Series, or classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust, and each class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.
Each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal beneficial interest in the net assets of such Series. Each holder of Shares of a Series shall be entitled to receive his or her pro rata share of distributions of income and capital gains, if any, made with respect to such Series. Upon redemption of any holder's Shares, such holder shall be paid solely out of the funds and property of such Series of the Trust.
Section 2.06. Investment in the Trust. The Trustees shall accept
investments in any Series of the Trust from such persons and on such terms as
they may from time to time authorize. At the Trustees' discretion, such
investments, subject to applicable law, may be in the form of cash or
securities in which the affected Series is authorized to invest, valued as
provided in Article IX, Section 9.03 hereof. Investments in a Series shall be
credited to each Shareholder's account in the form of full or fractional Shares
at the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the investment is
received; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in their sole discretion,
(a) fix the Net Asset Value per Share of the initial capital contribution or
(b) impose a sales charge or other fee upon investments in the Trust in such
manner and at such time as determined by the Trustees. The Trustees shall have
the right to refuse to accept investments in any Series at any time without any
cause or reason therefor whatsoever.
Section 2.07. Assets and Liabilities of Series. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof,
including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall be held and accounted for separately from the other assets of the Trust and of every other Series and may be referred to herein as "assets belonging to" that Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall belong to that Series for all purposes, and to no other Series, subject only to the rights of creditors of that Series. In addition, any assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto, which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series shall be allocated by the Trustees between and among one or more of the Series in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes, and such assets, income, earnings, profits or funds, or payments and proceeds with respect thereto shall be assets belonging to that Series. The assets belonging to a particular Series shall be so recorded upon the books of the Trust, and shall be held by the Trustees in trust for the benefit of the holders of Shares of that Series. The assets belonging to each particular Series shall be charged with the liabilities of that Series and all expenses, costs, charges, and reserves attributable to that Series. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among any one or more of the Series in such manner as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable. Each such allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes.
Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, but
subject to the right of the Trustees in their discretion to allocate general
liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, or reserves as herein provided, the
debts, liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred, contracted for or
otherwise existing with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable
against the assets of such Series only, and not against the assets of any other
Series or the Trust generally. Notice of this limitation on inter-Series
liabilities has been set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust as
filed in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant
to the Delaware Act, and upon the giving of such notice in the certificate of
trust, the statutory provisions of Section 3804 of the Delaware Act relating to
limitations on liabilities among Series (and the statutory effect under
Section 3804 of setting forth such notice in the certificate of trust) became
applicable to the Trust and each Series. Any person extending credit to,
contracting with or having any claim against any Series may look only to the
assets of that Series to satisfy or enforce any debt, liability, obligation or
expense incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to that
Series. No Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall have a claim
on or any right to any assets allocated or belonging to any other Series.
Section 2.08. No Preemptive Rights. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees, whether of the same or other Series.
Section 2.09. Personal Liability of Shareholders. Each Shareholder of the Trust and of each Series shall not be personally liable for debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by, contracted for, or otherwise existing with respect to, the Trust or by or on behalf of any Series. The Trustees shall have no power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares
or otherwise. Every note, bond, contract or other undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees relating to the Trust or to a Series may include a recitation limiting the obligation represented thereby to the Trust or to one or more Series and its or their assets (but the omission of such a recitation shall not operate to bind any Shareholder or Trustee of the Trust). Shareholders shall have the same limitation of personal liability as is extended to shareholders of a private corporation for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware. Every written obligation of the Trust or any Series may contain a statement to the effect that such obligation may only be enforced against the assets of the appropriate Series or all Series; however, the omission of such statement shall not operate to bind or create personal liability for any Shareholder or Trustee.
Section 2.10. Assent to Trust Instrument. Every Shareholder, by virtue of having purchased a Share shall become a Shareholder and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to be bound by the terms hereof.
ARTICLE III
The Trustees
Section 3.01. Management of the Trust. The Trustees shall have exclusive and absolute control over the Trust Property and over the business of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole owners of the Trust Property and business in their own right, but with such powers of delegation as may be permitted by this Trust Instrument. The Trustees shall have power to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations in any and all of its branches and maintain offices both within and without the State of Delaware, in any and all states of the United States of America, in the District of Columbia, in any and all commonwealths, territories, dependencies, colonies, or possessions of the United States of America, and in any foreign jurisdiction and to do all such other things and execute all such instruments as they deem necessary, proper or desirable in order to promote the interests of the Trust although such things are not herein specifically mentioned. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Trust Instrument, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
The enumeration of any specific power in this Trust Instrument shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid power. The powers of the Trustees may be exercised without order of or resort to any court.
Except for the Trustees appointed to fill vacancies pursuant to
Section 3.03 of this Article III, the Trustees shall be elected by the
Shareholders owning of record a plurality of the Shares voting at a meeting of
Shareholders. Such a meeting shall be held on a date fixed by the Trustees. In
the event that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office have been
elected by Shareholders, the Trustees then in office will call a Shareholders'
meeting for the election of Trustees.
Section 3.02. Term of Office of Trustees. The Trustees shall hold office during the lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as herein provided, except that: (a) any Trustee may resign his or her trust by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the Trust,
which shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; (b) any Trustee may be removed at any time by a vote of at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (c) any Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has died, becomes physically or mentally incapacitated by reason of disease or otherwise, or is otherwise unable to serve, may be retired by written instrument signed by a majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his or her retirement; and (d) a Trustee may be removed at any meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust by a vote of Shareholders owning at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.
Section 3.03. Vacancies and Appointment of Trustees. The following events shall create a vacancy: (a) the declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal or physical or mental incapacity of a Trustee, (b) a Trustee's inability to serve for any other reason or (c) an increase in the number of Trustees. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees occurs, until such vacancy is filled, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder. In the case of an existing vacancy, the remaining Trustees may fill such vacancy by appointing such other person as they in their discretion shall see fit consistent with the limitations under the 1940 Act. Such appointment shall be evidenced by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees in office or by resolution of the Trustees, duly adopted, which shall be recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the Trustees, whereupon the appointment shall take effect.
An appointment of a Trustee may be made by the Trustees then in office in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date, provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of Trustees. As soon as any Trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 3.03 shall have accepted this trust, or at such date as may be specified in the acceptance whenever made, the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and the newly appointed Trustee shall be deemed a Trustee hereunder. The power to appoint a Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.03 is subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 3.04. Limitation on Delegation. No Trustee is empowered to delegate any duty required to be performed solely by a Trustee under the 1940 Act.
Section 3.05. Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be fixed from time to time by action of a majority of the Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall in no event be more than fifteen (15) or less than three (3).
Section 3.06. Effect of Death, Resignation, Etc., of a Trustee. The declination to serve, death, resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity, or inability of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to terminate the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Trust Instrument.
Section 3.07. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust and of each Series shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity (other than as Trustee hereunder) by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. Title to all of the assets of each Series of the Trust at all times shall be vested in the Trust as a separate legal entity
under the Delaware Act. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or of any Series or any right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have, except as otherwise provided for herein, a proportionate undivided beneficial interest in the Trust or Series. The Shares shall be personal property giving only the rights specifically set forth in this Trust Instrument. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, the Trust, or at the determination of the Trustees one or more of the Trustees or a nominee acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold legal title and beneficial ownership of any income earned on securities of the Trust issued by any business entities formed, organized, or existing under the laws of any jurisdiction, including the laws of any foreign country.
Section 3.08. Compensation. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust, and they may periodically fix the amount of such compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other services and payment for the same by the Trust.
ARTICLE IV
Powers of the Trustees
Section 4.01. Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their sole discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of this Trust without recourse to any court or other authority. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Trust Instrument or the By-Laws of the Trust, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and other property, and to hold cash or other property uninvested, without in any event being bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by Trustees, and to sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, write options on and lease any or all the assets of the Trust, including without limitation foreign currency exchange transactions;
(b) To operate as and carry on the business of an investment company, and exercise all the powers necessary and appropriate to the conduct of such operations;
(c) To borrow money and in connection with such borrowing issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness; to secure borrowings by mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting as security the Trust Property; to endorse, guarantee, or undertake the performance of an obligation or engagement of any other Person and to lend Trust Property;
(d) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both, or otherwise pursuant to a plan of distribution of any kind;
(e) To adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Trust Instrument providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
(f) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;
(g) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as the Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Trust Instrument or in the By-Laws;
(h) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents, or both;
(i) To set record dates in the manner provided herein or in the By-Laws;
(j) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment advisor, administrator, manager, custodian, underwriter or other agent or independent contractor;
(k) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets of the Trust, subject to the provisions of Article XI hereof;
(l) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustee shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(m) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(n) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, book entry, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in the name of the Trust or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of Delaware statutory trusts or investment companies;
(o) To establish separate and distinct Series with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article II hereof and to establish classes of such Series having relative rights, powers and duties as they may provide consistent with applicable law;
(p) Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act and Section 3804 of the Delaware Act to allocate assets, liabilities and expenses of the Trust to a particular Series or class
thereof, as applicable, or to apportion the same between or among two or more Series or classes thereof, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by a particular Series or class thereof shall be payable solely out of the assets belonging to that Series as provided for in Article II hereof;
(q) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(r) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(s) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner provided herein;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum investment for Shareholders in the Trust or in one or more Series or class, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any Shareholders whose investment is less than such minimum upon giving notice to such Shareholder;
(u) To establish one or more committees, to delegate any of the powers of the Trustees to said committees and to adopt a committee charter providing for such responsibilities, membership (including Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust therein) and any other characteristics of said committees as the Trustees may deem proper. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IV, and in addition to such provisions or any other provision of this Trust Instrument or of the By-Laws, the Trustees may by resolution appoint a committee consisting of less than the whole number of Trustees then in office, which committee may be empowered to act for and bind the Trustees and the Trust, as if the acts of such committee were the acts of all the Trustees then in office, with respect to the institution, prosecution, dismissal, settlement, review or investigation of any action, suit or proceeding which shall be pending or threatened to be brought before any court, administrative agency or other adjudicatory body;
(v) To interpret the investment policies, practices, or limitations of any Series;
(w) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, to invest all or a portion of the assets of any Series in one or more open-end investment companies, including investment by means of a transfer of such assets in an exchange for an interest or interests in such investment company or companies or by any other method approved by the Trustees;
(x) Whenever no Shares of any Series or class are issued and outstanding, to exercise with respect to such Series or class all rights of Shareholders and take any action required by law, this Declaration of Trust or any By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
(y) To establish a registered office and have a registered agent in the state of Delaware; and
(z) In general to carry on any other business in connection with or incidental to any of the foregoing powers, to do everything necessary, suitable, or proper for the accomplishment of any purpose or the attainment of any object or the furtherance of any power hereinbefore set forth, either alone or in association with others, and to do every other act or thing incidental or appurtenant to or growing out of or connected with the aforesaid business or purposes, objects or powers.
The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and power, and the foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the general powers of the Trustees. Any action by one or more of the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder shall be deemed an action on behalf of the Trust or the applicable Series, and not an action in an individual capacity.
The Trustees shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust.
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to make any inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order.
Section 4.02. Issuance and Repurchase of Shares. The Trustees shall have the power to issue, sell, repurchase, redeem, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, and otherwise deal in Shares and, subject to the provisions set forth in Article II and Article IX, to apply to any such repurchase, redemption, retirement, cancellation, or acquisition of Shares any funds or property of the Trust, or the particular Series of the Trust, with respect to which such Shares are issued.
Section 4.03. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders. Any Trustee, officer, or agent of the Trust may acquire, own, and dispose of Shares to the same extent as if he or she were not a Trustee, officer, or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold Shares to and buy such Shares from any such person or any firm or company in which he or she is interested, subject only to the general limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of such Shares; and all subject to any restrictions which may be contained in the By-Laws.
Section 4.04. Action by the Trustees. The Trustees shall act by majority vote at a meeting duly called or by written consent of a majority of the Trustees without a meeting or by telephone meeting provided a quorum of Trustees participate in any such telephone meeting, unless the 1940 Act, this Trust Instrument or the By-Laws require a larger vote or unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person. At any meeting of the Trustees, three (3) of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees by majority vote may delegate to any one or more of their number their authority to approve particular matters or take particular actions on behalf of the Trust.
Section 4.05. Chairperson. The Trustees may, but need not (unless required by applicable law or regulation), appoint from among their number a Chairperson, who shall be an officer of the Board, but not an officer of the Trust. When present, the Chairperson shall preside
at the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees, and shall have such other responsibilities as prescribed by applicable law or regulation. The Chairperson, as well as any two (2) other Trustees, may call meetings of the Trustees. The Board may, but need not, from time to time prescribe to the Chairperson such other responsibilities in furthering the Board's functions. The Chairperson's role and responsibilities shall be non-executive and non-operational in nature. It shall be understood that each Trustee, including the Chairperson, shall have equal responsibility to act in good faith, in a manner which he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the Trust.
Section 4.06. Principal Transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, may buy any securities from or sell any securities to, or lend any assets of the Trust to, any Trustees or officer of the Trust or any firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal, or have any such dealings with any investment advisor, distributor, transfer agent or other service provider for the Trust or with any Interested Person of such person; and the Trust may employ any such person, or firm or company in which such person is an Interested Person, as broker, legal counsel, registrar, investment advisor, distributor, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, or custodian, or in any other capacity upon customary terms.
ARTICLE V
Expenses of the Trust
Section 5.01. Payment of Expenses By The Trust. Subject to the provisions of Article II, Section 2.07 hereof, the Trust or a particular Series shall pay, or shall reimburse the Trustees from the assets belonging to all Series or the appropriate Series for their expenses (or the expenses of a Class of such Series) and disbursements, including, without limitation, fees and expenses of Trustees, interest expense, taxes, fees and commissions of every kind, expenses of pricing Trust portfolio securities, expenses of issue, repurchase and redemption of shares, including expenses attributable to a program of periodic repurchases or redemptions, expenses of registering and qualifying the Trust and its Shares under Federal and State laws and regulations or under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction, charges of third parties, including investment advisors, managers, custodians, transfer agents, portfolio accounting and/or pricing agents, and registrars, expenses of preparing and setting up in type prospectuses and statements of additional information and other related Trust documents, expenses of printing and distributing prospectuses sent to existing Shareholders, auditing and legal expenses, reports to Shareholders, expenses of meetings of Shareholders and proxy solicitations therefor, insurance expenses, association membership dues and for such non-recurring items as may arise, including litigation to which the Trust (or a Trustee acting as such) is a party, and for all losses and liabilities by them incurred in administering the Trust, and for the payment of such expenses, disbursements, losses and liabilities the Trustees shall have a lien on the assets belonging to the appropriate Series, on the assets of each such Series, prior to any rights or interests of the Shareholders thereto. This section shall not preclude the Trust from directly paying any of the aforementioned fees and expenses.
ARTICLE VI
Contracts with Service Providers
Section 6.01. Investment Advisor. Subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, as modified by or interpreted by any applicable order of the Commission or any rules or regulations adopted by or interpretive releases of the Commission thereunder, the Trustees may in their discretion, from time to time, enter into an investment advisory or management contract or contracts with respect to the Trust or any Series whereby the other party or parties to such contract or contracts shall undertake to furnish the Trustees with such investment advisory or management services upon such terms and conditions, as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Trust Instrument, the Trustees may authorize any investment advisor (subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees from time to time may adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities, other investment instruments of the Trust, or other Trust Property on behalf of the Trustees, or may authorize any officer, agent, or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, or exchanges pursuant to recommendations of the investment advisor (and all without further action by the Trustees). Any such purchases, sales, and exchanges shall be deemed to have been authorized by all of the Trustees.
The Trustees may authorize, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, including those relating to Shareholder approval, the investment advisor to employ, from time to time, one or more sub-advisors to perform such of the acts and services of the investment advisor, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment advisor and sub-advisor. Any reference in this Trust Instrument to the investment advisor shall be deemed to include such sub-advisors, unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 6.02. Principal Underwriter. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or non-exclusive underwriting contract or contracts providing for the sale of Shares, whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such Shares. In either case, the contract shall be on such terms and conditions, if any, as may be prescribed in the By-Laws, and such further terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VI, or of the By-Laws; and such contract may also provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares by such other party as principal or as agent of the Trust.
Section 6.03. Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and shareholder service contracts whereby the other party or parties shall undertake to furnish the Trustees with transfer agency and shareholder services. The contract or contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Trust Instrument or of the By-Laws.
Section 6.04. Administration Agreement. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into an administration agreement or, if the Trustees establish multiple Series or classes, separate administration agreements with respect to each Series or class, whereby the other party to such agreement shall undertake to manage the business affairs of the Trust or of a
Series or class thereof of the Trust and furnish the Trust or a Series or a class thereof with office facilities, shall be responsible for the ordinary clerical, bookkeeping and recordkeeping services at such office facilities, and other facilities and services, if any, and shall assume other administrative responsibilities for the Trust, all upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine.
Section 6.05. Service Agreement. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into service agreements with respect to one or more Series or Classes of Shares whereby the other parties to such Service Agreements will provide administration and/or support services pursuant to administration plans and service plans, all upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees in their discretion may determine.
Section 6.06. Parties to Contract. Any contract of the character described in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.04 and 6.05 of this Article VI or any contract of the character described in Article VIII hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust, or association, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered void or voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be disqualified from voting on or executing the same in his or her capacity as Shareholder and/or Trustee, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VI or Article VIII hereof or of the By-Laws. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.04 and 6.05 of this Article VI or pursuant to Article VIII hereof, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 6.06.
Section 6.07. Provisions and Amendments. Any contract entered into
pursuant to Sections 6.01 or 6.02 of this Article VI shall be consistent with
and subject to the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act or other
applicable law hereafter enacted with respect to its continuance in effect, its
termination, and the method of authorization and approval of such contract or
renewal thereof, and no amendment to any contract, entered into pursuant to
Section 6.01 of this Article VI shall be effective unless assented to in a
manner consistent with the requirements of said Section 15, as modified by any
applicable rule, regulation or order of the Commission.
ARTICLE VII
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
Section 7.01. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote
only (i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Article III, Section 3.01
hereof, (ii) for the removal of Trustees as provided in Article III,
Section 3.02(d) hereof, (iii) with respect to any investment advisory or
management contract as provided in Article VI, Sections 6.01 and 6.07 hereof to
the
extent required by the 1940 Act, and (iv) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, by this Trust Instrument, or the By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
On any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders, all Shares shall be
voted separately by individual Series, except: (i) when required by the 1940
Act, Shares shall be voted in the aggregate and not by individual Series; and
(ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects the interests of
more than one Series, then the Shareholders of all such affected Series shall
be entitled to vote thereon in the aggregate and not by individual Series. The
Trustees also may determine that a matter affects only the interests of one or
more classes of a Series, in which case any such matter shall be voted on
separately by such class or classes. Each Share shall entitle the holder
thereof to one vote for each dollar (and each fractional dollar thereof) of Net
Asset Value (number of Shares owned times Net Asset Value per Share) of Shares
outstanding in such holder's name on the books of the Trust. There shall be no
cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or
by proxy or in any manner provided for in the By-Laws. A proxy may be given in
writing. The By-Laws may provide that proxies may also, or may instead, be
given by any electronic or telecommunications device or in any other manner.
Notwithstanding anything else herein or in the By-Laws, in the event a proposal
by anyone other than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is submitted to a
vote of the Shareholders of one or more Series or of the Trust, or in the event
of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or proposal in opposition to any
proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust, Shares may be voted only in
person or by written proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise
all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by
law, this Trust Instrument or any of the By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by
Shareholders. Meetings of shareholders shall be called and notice thereof and
record dates therefor shall be given and set as provided in the By-Laws.
Section 7.02. Quorum and Required Vote. One-third of Shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy shall be a quorum for the transaction of business at a Shareholders' meeting, except that where any provision of law or of this Trust Instrument permits or requests that holders of any Series shall vote as a Series (or that holders of a class shall vote as a class), then one-third of the aggregate number of Shares of that Series (or that class) entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transactions of business by that Series (or that class). Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by law or by any provision of this Trust Instrument of the By-Laws, a majority of the Shares voted in person or by proxy shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where any provision of law or of this Trust Instrument permits or requires that the holders of any Series shall vote as a Series (or that the holders of any class shall vote as a class), then a majority of the Shares present in person or by proxy of that Series or, if required by law, a Majority Shareholder Vote of that Series (or class), voted on the matter in person or by proxy shall decide matter insofar as that Series (or class) is concerned. Shareholders may act by unanimous written consent. Actions taken by Series (or class) may be consented to unanimously in writing by Shareholders of that Series.
ARTICLE VIII
Custodian
Section 8.01. Appointment and Duties. The Trustees at all times shall employ an entity satisfying the requirements of the 1940 Act, as custodian with authority as its agent, but subject to such restrictions, limitations, and other requirements, if any, as may be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust:
(a) to hold the securities and other assets of the Trust and deliver the same upon written order or oral order confirmed in writing;
(b) to receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust and deposit the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may direct; and
(c) to disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers; and
the Trust also may employ such custodian as its agent:
(i) to keep the books and accounts of the Trust or of any Series or class and furnish clerical and accounting services; and
(ii) to compute, if authorized to do so by the Trustees, the Net Asset Value of any Series, or class thereof, in accordance with the provisions hereof; all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees and the custodian.
The Trustees also may authorize the custodian to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall be a bank, a company that is a member of a national securities exchange, a trust company or any other entity satisfying the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Section 8.02. Central Certificate System. Subject to such rules, regulations, and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust in a system for the central handling of securities established by a national securities exchange or a national securities association registered with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or such other person as may be permitted by the Commission, or otherwise in accordance with the 1940 Act, pursuant to which system all securities of any particular class or Series of any issuer deposited within the system are treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry without physical delivery of such securities, provided that all such deposits shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the Trust or its custodians, sub-custodians or other agents.
ARTICLE IX
Distributions and Redemptions
Section 9.01. Distributions.
(a) The Trustees from time to time may declare and pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any Series. No dividend or distribution, including, without limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of the Trust or of any Series (or class) with respect to, nor any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any Series (or class) shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with respect to such Series. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders. The amount of such dividends or distributions and the payment of them and whether they are in cash or any other Trust Property shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees.
Dividends and other distributions may be paid or made to the Shareholders of record at the time of declaring a dividend or other distribution or among the Shareholders of record at such other date or time or dates or times as the Trustees shall determine, which dividends or distributions, at the election of the Trustees, may be paid pursuant to a standing resolution or resolutions adopted only once or with such frequency as the Trustees may determine. The Trustees may adopt and offer to Shareholders such dividend reinvestment plans, cash dividend payout plans, or related plans as the Trustees shall deem appropriate.
(b) Anything in this Trust Instrument to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Trustees at any time may declare and distribute a stock dividend pro rata
among the Shareholders of a particular Series, or class thereof, as of the
record date of that Series fixed as provided in paragraph (b) of this
Section 9.01.
Section 9.02. Redemptions. The Trustees may specify conditions, prices,
and places of redemption, may specify binding requirements for the proper form
or forms of requests for redemption and may specify the amount of any deferred
sales charge or other fee to be withheld from redemption proceeds. Payment of
the redemption price may be wholly or partly in securities or other assets at
the value of such securities or assets used in such determination of Net Asset
Value, or may be in cash. Upon redemption, Shares may be reissued from time to
time. The Trustees may require Shareholders to redeem Shares for any reason
under terms set by the Trustees, including, but not limited to, the failure of
a Shareholder to supply a taxpayer identification number if required to do so,
or to have the minimum investment required, or to pay when due for the purchase
of Shares issued to him. To the extent permitted by law, the Trustees may
retain the proceeds of any redemption of Shares required by them for payment of
amounts due and owing by a Shareholder to the Trust or any Series or class or
any governmental authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing and as provided in
Section 9.04, the Trustees may postpone payment of the redemption price and may
suspend the right of the Shareholders to require any Series or class to redeem
Shares during any period of time when and to the extent permissible under the
1940 Act. All authorized Shares shall be subject to redemption and
redeemable in accordance with and pursuant to procedures or methods prescribed or approved by the Trustees.
Section 9.03. Determination of Net Asset Value. The Trustees shall cause
the Net Asset Value of Shares of each Series or Class to be determined from
time to time in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees may delegate the power and duty to
determine Net Asset Value per Share to one or more Trustees or officers of the
Trust or to a Custodian, depository or other agent appointed for such purpose.
The Net Asset Value of Shares shall be determined separately for each Series or
Class at such times as may be prescribed by the Trustees. If, for any reason,
the net income of any Series that seeks to maintain a constant Net Asset Value
per Share, determined at any time, is a negative amount, the Trustees shall
have the power with respect to that Series: (i) to offset each Shareholder's
pro rata share of such negative amount from the accrued dividend account of
such Shareholder; or (ii) to reduce the number of Outstanding Shares of such
Series by reducing the number of Shares in the account of each Shareholder by a
pro rata portion of the number of full and fractional Shares which represents
the amount of such excess negative net income; or (iii) to cause to be recorded
on the books of such Series an asset account in the amount of such negative net
income (provided that the same shall thereupon become the property of such
Series with respect to such Series and shall not be paid to any Shareholder),
which account may be reduced by the amount, of dividends declared thereafter
upon the Outstanding Shares of such Series on the day such negative net income
is experienced, until such asset account is reduced to zero; or (iv) to combine
the methods described in clauses (i) and (ii) and (iii) of the sentence; or
(v) to take any other action they deem appropriate, in order to cause (or in
order to assist in causing) the Net Asset Value per Share of such Series to
remain at a constant amount per Outstanding Share immediately after each such
determination and declaration. The Trustees also shall have the power not to
declare a dividend out of net income for the purpose of causing the Net Asset
Value per Share of the Series to be increased. The Trustees shall not be
required to adopt, but at any time may adopt, discontinue, or amend the
practice of maintaining the Net Asset value per Share of the Series at a
constant amount.
Section 9.04. Suspension of the Right of Redemption. The Trustees may declare a suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment as permitted under the 1940 Act. Such suspension shall take effect at such time as the Trustees shall specify but not later than the close of business on the business day next following the declaration of suspension, and thereafter there shall be no right of redemption or payment until the Trustees shall declare the suspension at an end. In the case of a suspension of the right of redemption, a Shareholder may either withdraw his or her request for redemption or receive payment based on the Net Asset Value per Share next determined after the termination of the suspension.
Section 9.05. Share Ownership Information. Upon demand, the holders of Shares shall disclose to the Trustees in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or to comply with the requirements of any other governmental authority.
ARTICLE X
Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
Section 10.01. Limitation of Liability. All persons contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of all Series or such particular Series for payment under such contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor, when acting in such capacity, any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Written instruments or obligations on behalf of the Trust or any Series may contain a statement to the foregoing effect, but the absence of such statement shall not operate to make any Trustee or officer of the Trust liable thereunder. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust shall not be responsible or liable for any act or omission or for neglect or wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser or independent contractor of the Trust, but nothing contained in this Declaration or in the Delaware Act shall protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders to which the Trustee or officer 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.
Section 10.02. Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph
(b) below:
(i) every Person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the Trust (including any individual who serves at its request as director, officer, partner, trustee or the like of another organization in which it has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person") shall be indemnified by the Trust, or by one or more Series thereof if the claim arises from his or her conduct with respect to only such Series (unless the Series was terminated prior to any such liability or claim being known to the Trustees, in which case such obligations, to the extent not satisfied out of the assets of a Series, the obligation shall be an obligation of the Trust), to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by such Covered Person in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which such Covered Person becomes involved as a party or otherwise or is threatened to be involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of being or having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred by such Covered Person in the settlement thereof; and
(ii) the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, or proceedings (civil, criminal, regulatory or other, including investigations and appeals), actual or threatened, while in office or thereafter, and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include, without limitation, attorney's fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties, and other liabilities.
(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought (A) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Covered Person's office or (B) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust; or
(ii) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication as provided in paragraph (b)(i) resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office:
(A) by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition;
(B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who neither are Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily-available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or
(C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).
(c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in
connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim,
action, suit, or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this
Section 10.02 may be paid by the Trust or Series from time to time prior to
final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
such Covered Person that such amount will be repaid by such Covered Person to
the Trust or Series if it ultimately is determined that he or she is not
entitled to indemnification under this Section 10.02; provided, however, that
either (i) such Covered Person shall have provided a surety bond or some other
appropriate security for such undertaking; (ii) the Trust or Series thereof is
insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or
(iii) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of
the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily-available facts
(as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is a
reason to believe that such Covered Person will be entitled to indemnification
under this Section 10.02. In connection with any determination pursuant to
clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, any Trustee who is not an Interested
Person of the Trust shall be entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he or
she has not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
(e) Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.02, or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Declaration or the By-Laws inconsistent with this Section, shall be prospective only, to the extent that such repeal, or modification adoption would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such repeal, adoption or modification.
Section 10.03. Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder of such Series and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives, or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall assume, upon request by the Shareholder, the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.
Section 10.04. No Bond Required of Trustees. No Trustee shall be obligated to give any bond or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties hereunder.
Section 10.05. No Duty of Investigation; Notice in Trust Instruments, Etc. No purchaser, lender, transfer agent or other Person dealing with the Trustees or any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or a Series thereof shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction purporting to be made by the Trustees or by said officer, employee or agent or be liable for the application of money or property paid, loaned, or delivered to or on the order of the Trustees or of said officer, employee or agent. Every obligation, contract, instrument, certificate, Share, other security of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertaking, and every other act or thing whatsoever executed in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively presumed to have been executed or done by the executors thereof only in their capacity as Trustees under this Declaration or in their capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Trust or a Series thereof. Written obligations, contracts, instruments, certificates, Shares, other securities of the Trust or a Series thereof or undertakings made or issued by the Trustees may recite that the same are executed or made by them not individually, but as Trustees under the Declaration, and that the obligations of the Trust or a Series thereof under any such instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees or Shareholders individually, but bind only the Trust Property or the Trust Property of the applicable Series, and may contain any further recital which they may deem appropriate, but the omission of such recital shall not operate to bind the Trustees individually. The Trustees shall at all times maintain such insurance for the protection of the Trust Property or the Trust Property of the applicable Series, its Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents as the Trustees in their sole judgment shall deem advisable.
Section 10.06. Reliance on Experts, Etc. Subject to Section 11.01, each Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust or a Series thereof shall, in the performance of his or her duties, powers and discretions hereunder be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Trust or a Series thereof, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the
Trust or a Series thereof by any of its officers or employees or by the investment adviser, the administrator, the distributor, transfer agent, selected dealers, accountants, appraisers or other experts or consultants selected with reasonable care by the Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Trustee.
ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous
Section 11.01. Trust Not a Partnership. The Trust was originally created as a business trust (now known as a statutory trust) pursuant to the Delaware Act. It was not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment, or any form of legal relationship other than a business trust (now known as a statutory trust) pursuant to the Delaware Act. No Trustee hereunder shall have any power to bind personally either the Trust's officers or any Shareholder. All persons extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Series or, if the Trustees have yet to establish the Series, the Trust for payment under such credit, contract, or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of their agents, whether past, present, or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this Trust Instrument shall protect a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee hereunder.
Section 11.02. Trustee/Officer Action. The exercise by the Trustees or the officers of the Trust of their powers and discretions hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under the circumstances then prevailing shall be binding upon everyone interested. Subject to the provisions of Article X hereof and to Section 11.01 of this Article XI, neither the Trustees nor the officers of the Trust shall be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law.
Section 11.03. Termination of Trust.
(a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 11.03.
(b) Except to the extent the 1940 Act expressly grants to Shareholders the power to vote on such termination(s), the Trust, or any Series (or class) thereof, may be terminated at any time by the Trustees with written notice to the Shareholders. To the extent that the 1940 Act expressly grants to Shareholders the power to vote on such termination(s), the Trust, or any Series thereof, may be terminated by a vote of a majority of the Shares of the Trust voting in the aggregate, or a majority of the Shares of such Series, entitled to vote, respectively.
Upon making reasonable provision, in the determination of the Trustees, for the payment of all liabilities of the Trust or any affected Series or class thereof, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining proceeds or assets (as the case may be) of each Series (or class) ratably among the holders of Shares of that Series or class then outstanding.
(c) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the remaining assets as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 11.03, the Trust or any affected
Series or class thereof shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder and the right, title, and interest of all parties with respect to the Trust or Series or class shall be canceled and discharged.
Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of the Trust's business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the Trust's certificate of trust to be filed in accordance with the Delaware Act, which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee.
Section 11.04. Reorganization. Notwithstanding anything else herein, the
Trustees, in order to change the form of organization of the Trust, may,
without prior Shareholder approval, (i) cause the Trust to be merged into or
consolidated with, or to sell all or substantially all of its assets to,
another trust or company; (ii) cause a Series of the Trust to be merged into or
consolidated with, or to sell all or substantially all of its assets to,
another Series of the Trust or another Series of another trust or company;
(iii) cause the Shares of a class of a Series to be converted into another
class of the same Series; (iv) cause the Shares of the Trust or any Series to
be converted into beneficial interests in another business or statutory trust
(or Series thereof); (v) cause the Shares of the Trust or any Series to be
exchanged for shares in another trust or company under or pursuant to any state
or federal statute to the extent permitted by law; or (vi) cause the Trust to
incorporate under the laws of State of Delaware. Any agreement of merger or
consolidation or certificate of merger may be signed by a majority of Trustees
and facsimile signature conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall
be valid.
Except to the extent the 1940 Act expressly grants Shareholders the power
to vote on (i) - (v) above, the Trustees, with written notice to the
Shareholders, may approve and effect any of the transactions contemplated under
(i) - (v) above without any vote or other action of the Shareholders. To the
extent that the 1940 Act expressly grants to Shareholders the power to vote on
such transaction(s), such transaction(s) may be approved by a vote of a
majority of the Shares of the Trust entitled to vote and voting in the
aggregate, with respect to (i) and (vi) above, and a majority of the Shares of
any such Series entitled to vote, with respect to (ii) - (v) above. This
Section 11.04 shall be interpreted to eliminate any right to vote on a merger,
consolidation, sale of assets or conversion that might otherwise be conferred
by Section 3815, Section 3821 or any other provision of the Delaware Act.
Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Trust Instrument, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Section 11.04 may effect any amendment to the Trust Instrument or effect the adoption of a new trust instrument of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting trust in the merger or consolidation.
Section 11.05. Filing of Copies; References; Headings. The original or a copy of this Trust Instrument and the original or a copy of each amendment hereof or Trust Instrument supplemental hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A supplemental trust instrument executed by any one Trustee may be relied upon as a supplement hereof. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments or supplements have been made
and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this Trust Instrument or of any such amendment or supplemental Trust Instrument, and references to this Trust Instrument, and all expressions such as or similar to "herein," "hereof," and "hereunder" shall be deemed to refer to this Trust Instrument as amended or affected by any such supplemental Trust Instrument. All expressions such as or similar to "his," "he," and "him" shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter, as well as masculine, genders. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and, in case of any conflict, the text of this Trust Instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This Trust Instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 11.06. Applicable Law. The trust set forth in this instrument is
made in the State of Delaware, and the Trust and this Trust Instrument, and the
rights and obligations of the Trustees and Shareholders hereunder, are to be
governed by and construed and administered according to the Delaware Act and
the laws of said State; provided, however, that there shall not be applicable
to the trust, the Trust, the Trustee or this Trust Instrument (a) the
provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code or (b) any
provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the State of Delaware (other
than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts which relate to or regulate (i) the
filing with any court or governmental body or agency of trustee accounts or
schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative requirements to post
bonds for trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust, (iii) the
necessity for obtaining court or other governmental approval concerning the
acquisition, holding, or disposition of real or personal property, (iv) fees or
other sums payable to trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a trust,
(v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income and principal,
(vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature, amount, or
concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the titling,
storage, or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment
of fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts
or powers of trustees, which are inconsistent with the limitations or
liabilities or authorities and powers of the Trustees set forth or referenced
in this Trust Instrument. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a
"Delaware Statutory Trust" (formerly known as a "Delaware business trust"),
and, without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers
which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust under Delaware law. The Trust
specifically reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges
afforded to trusts or actions that may be engaged in by trusts under the
Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power,
privilege, or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power
or privilege or take such actions.
Section 11.07. Amendments. Except as specifically provided herein, the Trustees, without shareholder vote, may amend or otherwise supplement this Trust Instrument by making an amendment, a Trust Instrument supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument. Shareholders shall have the right to vote (i) on any amendment which would affect their right to vote granted in Section 7.01 of the Article VII hereof, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 11.07, (iii) on any amendment as may be required by law or by the Trust's registration statement filed with the Commission, and (iv) on any amendment submitted to the Shareholders by the Trustees. Any amendment required or permitted to be submitted to Shareholders which, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the Shareholders of one or more Series shall be authorized by vote of the Shareholders of each Series affected and no vote of Shareholders of a Series not
affected shall be required. Notwithstanding anything else herein, any amendment to Article X hereof shall not limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided therein with respect to action or omission of Covered Persons prior to such amendment.
Section 11.08. Derivative Actions. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met:
(i) Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who hold at least 10% of the Outstanding Shares of the Trust, or 10% of the Outstanding Shares of the Series or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action provided, however, that this condition shall be excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, has a personal financial interest in the action at issue. A Trustee shall not be deemed to have a personal financial interest in an action or otherwise be disqualified from ruling on a Shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration from service on the Board of Trustees of the Trust or on the boards of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment advisor or underwriter; 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 shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisers in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisers in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
Section 11.09. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall end on a specified date as set forth in the By-Laws, provided, however, that the Trustees, without Shareholder approval, may change the fiscal year of the Trust.
Section 11.10. Provisions in Conflict With Law. The provisions of this Trust Instrument are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, with the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of this Trust Instrument; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this Trust Instrument or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination. If any provision of this Trust Instrument shall be held invalid or improper, unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provisions in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Trust Instrument in any jurisdiction.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned Trustees has hereunto set his or her hand as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Mary G.F. Bitterman ----------------------------- Mary G. F. Bitterman /s/ Lee Kranefuss ----------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss /s/ Leo Soong ----------------------------- Leo Soong /s/ A. John Gambs ----------------------------- A. John Gambs /s/ Wendy Paskin-Jordan ----------------------------- Wendy Paskin-Jordan |
Exhibit (b)(1)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
OF
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Adopted November 17, 2006
These By-Laws of Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, are subject to the Trust's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated November 17, 2006, as from time to time amended, supplemented, or restated (the "Trust Instrument"). Capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Instrument are used as therein defined.
ARTICLE I
PRINCIPAL OFFICE
Section 1. Principal and Other Offices. The principal office of the Trust shall be located at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, California 94105, or such other location as the Trustees, from time to time, may determine. The Trust may establish and maintain such other offices and places of business as the Trustees, from time to time, may determine.
Section 2. Registered Office and Agent. The Trustees shall establish a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint as the Trust's registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware a resident of Delaware or a Delaware entity or entity authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware and permitted to serve as such agent.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Trust shall be President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer and such other officers as from time to time may be elected by Trustees or as may be appointed as provided in Article III of these By-Laws. It shall not be necessary for any officer to be a holder of Shares in the Trust.
Section 2. Election of Officers; Term. All officers shall be selected by the
Trustees or appointed by an officer or committee as provided in Article III of
these By-Laws. Two or more offices may be held by a single person except the
offices of President and Secretary. Subject to the provisions of Article II,
Section 3 and Article III, Section 14 of these By-Laws, the President, the
Treasurer and the Secretary shall each hold office until
their successors are chosen and qualified and all other officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Trustees.
Section 3. Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign, notwithstanding Article II, Section 2, by filing a written resignation with the Trustees, the President or the Secretary, which resignation shall take effect on being so filed or at such time as may be therein specified.
ARTICLE III
POWERS AND DUTIES OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Section 1. Management of the Trust; General. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Trustees, and the Trustees shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out their responsibilities, so far as such powers are not inconsistent with applicable law, the Trust Instrument, or with these By-Laws.
Section 2. Executive and Other Committees. The Trustees may elect from their own number, an executive committee, which shall have any or all the powers of the Trustees while the Trustees are not in session, except those powers which by law, the Trust Instrument or these By-Laws are not permitted to be delegated by the Trustees. The Trustees also may elect from their own number other committees from time to time. The number composing such committees and the powers conferred upon the same are to be determined by vote of a majority of the Trustees, except those powers which by law, the Trust Instrument or these By-Laws are not permitted to be delegated by the Trustees. All members of such committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Trustees. The Trustees may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the Trustees delegate any of their powers or duties shall keep records of its meetings and shall report its actions to the Trustees. The Trustees shall have power to rescind any action of any committee, but no such rescission shall have retroactive effect.
Section 3. Compensation. Each Trustee, each committee member, the Chairperson of the Trustees, the Lead Independent Trustee and the chairperson of any committee may receive such compensation for services and reimbursement for expenses as may be fixed from time to time by the Trustees. The salaries or other compensation, if any, of the officers of the Trust shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Trustees, provided that the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer must be approved by vote of a 1940 Act Majority, as required by the 1940 Act or rules thereunder.
Section 4. Chairperson; Lead Independent Trustee. (i) The Trustees may, but need not (unless required by applicable law or regulation), appoint from among their number a Chairperson, who shall be an officer of the Board of Trustees, but not an officer of the Trust. The responsibilities of the Chairperson shall be non-executive and non-operational in nature. When present, the Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees, and shall have such other responsibilities as prescribed by applicable law or regulation. The Chairperson, as well as any two other Trustees, may call meetings of the Trustees as provided in the Trust Instrument and these By-Laws. The
Trustees may, but need not, from time to time prescribe to the Chairperson such other responsibilities in furthering the Trustees' functions.
(ii) The Trustees, by the affirmative vote of all members of the Board of Trustees (including each nominee as Lead Independent Trustee who may vote for him/herself), less one, may, but need not (unless required by applicable law or regulations), appoint a Lead Independent Trustee from among their members who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees"). The Lead Independent Trustee shall be an officer of the Board of Trustees, but not an officer of the Trust. The responsibilities of the Lead Independent Trustee shall be non-executive and non-operational in nature. The Lead Independent Trustee shall (a) be available to discuss with the other Trustees any concerns they may have about the Trust, (b) be available to consult with the Chairperson of the Board, President and/or Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, including to consult on agendas for meetings of the Board, (c) be available to be consulted by any of the senior executives of the Trust as to any concerns the senior executives may have, (d) preside at executive sessions of the Independent Trustees and (e) have such responsibilities and duties as may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust and/or in these By-Laws or as are designated by the Board to the Lead Independent Trustee in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and these By-laws. The Trustees may by resolution establish additional qualifications and the term of office for the Lead Independent Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these By-Laws, this Article III, Section 4 (ii), can only be amended by the affirmative vote of all members of the Board of Trustees, less one.
Section 5. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and, subject to the direction of the Trustees, shall have responsibility for the general administration of the business and policies of the Trust. Subject to the control of the Trustees and to the control of any committees of the Trustees within their respective spheres of responsibility as provided by the Trustees, he or she shall at all times exercise general supervision and direction over the affairs of the Trust. The President shall have power to appoint such subordinate officers, agents, clerks and employees as he or she may find necessary to transact the business of the Trust or any Series or class thereof. The President shall also have the power to grant, issue, execute or sign such powers of attorney, proxies or other documents as may be deemed advisable or necessary in furtherance of the interests of the Trust or any Series or class thereof. The President shall have such other powers and duties, as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to the President by the Trustees.
Section 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the principal financial and accounting officer of the Trust. The Treasurer shall deliver all property, funds and securities of the Trust which may come into his or her hands to such company as the Trustees shall employ as Custodian in accordance with the Trust Instrument and applicable provisions of law. The Treasurer shall furnish such reports regarding the business and condition of the Trust as may be required from time to time by the Trustees or applicable law. The Treasurer shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such additional duties as the Trustees or the President from time to time may designate.
Section 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall record in books kept for the purpose all votes and proceedings of the Trustees and the Shareholders at their respective meetings. The Secretary shall also include in such books the records of committee meetings kept pursuant to Article III, Section 2. He or she shall have custody of the seal of the Trust. The Secretary shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such additional duties as the Trustees or the President from time to time may designate.
Section 8. Vice President. Any Vice President of the Trust shall perform such duties as the Trustees or the President from time to time may designate. At the request or in the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President (or, if there are two or more Vice Presidents, then the senior of the Vice Presidents present and able to act) may perform all the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.
Section 9. Assistant Treasurer. Any Assistant Treasurer of the Trust shall perform such duties as the Trustees, the President or the Treasurer from time to time may designate, and, in the absence of the Treasurer, the senior Assistant Treasurer, present and able to act, may perform all the duties of the Treasurer.
Section 10. Assistant Secretary. Any Assistant Secretary of the Trust shall perform such duties as the Trustees, the President or the Secretary from time to time may designate, and, in the absence of the Secretary, the senior Assistant Secretary, present and able to act, may perform all the duties of the Secretary.
Section 11. Chief Compliance Officer. There shall be an officer of the Trust designated as the Chief Compliance Officer by the a majority of Trustees, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" under the 1940 Act ("1940 Act Majority"), as required by the 1940 Act or rules thereunder. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administering the compliance program maintained by the Trust for complying with the federal securities laws and shall perform such additional duties as the Trustees from time to time may designate.
Section 12. Subordinate Officers. The Trustees from time to time may appoint such other officers or agents as the Trustees may deem advisable, each of whom shall have such title, hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as the Trustees may determine. The Trustees from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or committees of Trustees the power to appoint and remove any such subordinate officers or agents and to prescribe their respective titles, terms of office, authorities, and duties.
Section 13. Surety Bonds. The Trustees may require any officer or agent of the Trust to execute a bond (including, without limitation, any bond required by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder) to the Trust in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees may determine, conditioned upon the faithful performance of such officer's or agent's duties to the Trust including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting of any of the Trust's property, funds, or securities that may come into such officer's or agent's hands.
Section 14. Removal. Any officer of the Trust may be removed from office by vote of a majority of the Trustees whenever in the judgment of the Trustees the best interest of the Trust will be served thereby, provided that the Chief Compliance Officer may only be removed by vote of a 1940 Act Majority, as required by the 1940 Act or rules thereunder. In addition, any officer or agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 12 may be removed, either with or without cause, by the appointing officer or committee or any other officer or committee upon which such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Trustees.
ARTICLE IV
SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings. A meeting of the Shareholders shall be called by the Secretary whenever (i) ordered by the Trustees or (ii) requested in writing by the holder or holders of at least 10% of the Outstanding Shares entitled to vote. If the Secretary, when so ordered or requested, refuses or neglects for more than 30 days to call such meeting, the Trustees or the Shareholders so requesting, in the name of the Secretary, may call the meeting by giving notice thereof in the manner required when notice is given by the Secretary. If the meeting is a meeting of the Shareholders of one or more Series or classes of Shares, but not a meeting of all Shareholders of the Trust, then only the Shareholders of such Series or classes shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting. The record date for determining the Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting shall be established as set forth in Article VI, Section 2.
Section 2. Notices. Except as above provided, notices of any meeting of the Shareholders shall be given by the Secretary by delivering, by any method permitted by applicable law and approved by the Trustees, or mailing, postage prepaid, to each Shareholder entitled to vote at said meeting, written or printed notification of such meeting at least 15 days before the meeting, to such address as may be registered with the Trust by the Shareholder. Notice of any Shareholder meeting need not be given to any Shareholder if a written waiver of notice (including electronic or similar writings), executed before or after such meeting, is filed with the record of such meeting, or to any Shareholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy. Notice of adjournment of a Shareholders' meeting to another time or place need not be given, if such time and place are announced at the meeting and reasonable notice is given to persons present at the meeting and the adjourned meeting is held within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting.
Section 3. Voting-Proxies. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Instrument, Shareholders entitled to vote may vote either in person or by proxy, provided that either (i) an instrument authorizing such proxy to act is executed by the Shareholder in writing and dated not more than 11 months before the meeting, unless such instrument specifically provides for a longer period or (ii) the Trustees adopt by resolution an electronic, telephonic, computerized, or other alternative to execution of a written instrument authorizing the proxy to act, which authorization is received no more than 11 months before the meeting. Proxies shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Trust or
other persons responsible for recording the proceedings before being voted. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by one of them unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy the Trust receives specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any adjournment of a meeting. A proxy purporting to be exercised by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of providing invalidity shall rest on the challenger. At all meetings of the Shareholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualifications of voters, the validity of proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the Chairperson of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Trust Instrument, as these By-Laws or such Trust Instrument may be amended or supplemented from time to time, all matters relating to the giving, voting, or validity or proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and the Shareholders were shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Section 4. Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at the principal place of business of the Trust or at such other place in the United States as the Trustees may designate.
Section 5. Action Without a Meeting. Any action to be taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if all Shareholders entitled to vote on the matter consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of meetings of Shareholders of the Trust. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting of the shareholders.
ARTICLE V
TRUSTEES' MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held at such places and at such times as the Trustees from time to time may determine; each Trustee present at such determination shall be deemed a party calling the meeting and no call or notice will be required to such Trustee, provided that any Trustee who is absent when such determination is made shall be given notice of such determination.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees may be called orally or in writing by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees or any two other Trustees.
Section 3. Quorum. Three Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and an action of a majority of the quorum shall constitute action of the Trustees, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Trust Instrument or these By-Laws. If at any meeting of the Trustees, a quorum is not present, a majority of the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Notice of Special Meeting. Except as otherwise provided, notice of
any special meeting of the Trustees shall be given to each Trustee (i) by mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to a Trustee at his or her address as registered on
the books of the Trust or, if not so registered, at his or her last known
address; (ii) by overnight delivery service to such address;
(iii) electronically by fax or e-mail to a fax number or e-mail address
provided by the Trustee to the Trust; (iv) by telephone to a telephone number
provided by the Trustee to the Trust; or (v) by personal delivery to the
Trustee. Notice of any Trustees' meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a
written waiver of notice (including electronic or similar writings), executed
before or after such meeting, is filed with the record of such meeting, or to
any Trustee who shall attend such meeting. Notice of an adjourned meeting need
not be given.
Section 5. Place of Meeting. All special meetings of the Trustees shall be held at the principal place of business of the Trust or such other place as the Trustees may designate. Any meeting may adjourn to any place.
Section 6. Special Action. When all the Trustees shall be present at any meeting, however called or wherever held, or shall assent to the holding of the meeting without notice, or shall sign a written assent thereto filed with the record of such meeting, the acts of such meeting shall be valid as if such meeting had been regularly held.
Section 7. Action By Written Consent. Any action by the Trustees may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto is signed by a majority of the Trustees and filed with the records of the Trustees' meetings (unless prohibited by applicable law). Such consent shall be treated, for all purposes, as a vote at a meeting of the Trustees held at the principal place of business of the Trustees.
Section 8. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone. Trustees may participate in a meeting of Trustees by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting (unless prohibited by applicable law). Any meeting conducted by telephone shall be deemed to take place at and from the principal office of the Trust.
ARTICLE VI
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 1. Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust at all times shall be divided into such transferable Shares of one or more separate and distinct Series, or classes thereof, as the Trustees from time to time shall create and establish. The number of Shares is unlimited, and each Share of each Series or class thereof shall be without par value and shall represent an equal proportionate interest with each other Share in the Series, none having priority or preference over another, except to the extent that such priorities or preferences are established with respect to one or more classes of shares consistent with applicable law, including the 1940 Act and rules thereunder.
Section 2. Establishment of Record Dates. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of any Series (or class) who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which shall be before the date for the payment of such dividend or such other payment, as the record date for determining the Shareholders of such Series (or class) having the right to receive such dividend or distribution. Without fixing a record date, the Trustees may for distribution purposes close the register or transfer books for one or more Series (or classes) any time prior to the payment of a distribution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from setting different record dates for different Series (or classes). The Trustees may fix in advance a date, to be determined by the Trustees and no longer than that permitted by applicable law, before the date of any Shareholders' meeting, or the date for the payment of any dividends or other distributions, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of Shares shall go into effect as a record date for the determination of the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or entitled to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution, or to receive any such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of Shares.
Section 3. Transfer of Shares. The Shares of the Trust shall be transferable so as to affect the rights of the Trust, only by transfer recorded on the books of the Trust, in person or by attorney.
Section 4. Equitable Interest Not Recognized. The Trust shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any Share or Shares of beneficial interest as the holder in fact thereof, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim or interest in such Share or Shares on the part of any other person, except as otherwise may be expressly provided by law.
Section 5. Share Certificate. In lieu of issuing certificates for Shares, the Trustees or the transfer or shareholder services agent either may issue receipts therefor or may keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such Shares, who in either case shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be holders of certificates for such Shares as if they had accepted such certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof.
ARTICLE VII
OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST
The Trustees, acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold legal and beneficial ownership of any income earned on securities held by the Trust issued by any business entity formed, organized or existing under the laws of any jurisdiction other than a state, commonwealth, possession, territory, or colony of the United States or the laws of the United States.
ARTICLE VIII
INSPECTION OF BOOKS
The Trustees from time to time shall determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Trust or any of them shall be open to the inspection of the Shareholders; and no Shareholder shall have any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Trust except as conferred by law or otherwise by the Trustees or by resolution of the Shareholders.
ARTICLE IX
INSURANCE OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
The Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Covered Person or employee of the Trust, including any Covered Person or employee of the Trust who is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a Trustee, officer, or employee of a corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such Covered Persons or employees in any such capacity or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the Trustees would have the power to indemnify them against such liability.
The Trust may not acquire or obtain a contract for insurance that protects or purports to protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Trustee or officer otherwise would 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.
ARTICLE X
SEAL
The seal of the Trust shall be circular in form bearing the inscription:
"BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
THE STATE OF DELAWARE"
The form of the seal shall be subject to alteration by the Trustees and the seal may be used by causing the seal or a facsimile to be impressed or affixed or printed or otherwise reproduced.
Any officer or Trustee of the Trust, or agent of the Trust acting in such capacity, shall have authority to affix the seal of the Trust to any document, instrument, or other paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust; however, unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and the seal's absence
shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument, or other paper executed by or on behalf of the Trust.
ARTICLE XI
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Trust, or of any Series thereof, shall end on such date as the Trustees from time to time shall determine.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Trustees of the Trust by a majority vote or by consent in lieu thereof.
ARTICLE XIII
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Trustees at least semiannually shall submit to the Shareholders a written financial report of the Trust including financial statements which shall be certified at least annually by an independent registered public accounting firm.
ARTICLE XIV
HEADINGS
Headings are placed in these By-Laws for convenience of reference only and, in case of any conflict, the text of these By-Laws rather than the headings shall control.
END OF BY-LAWS
Approved as amended and restated by the Board of Barclays Global Investors Funds on November 17, 2006.
Exhibit (e)(2)
SCHEDULE I
Institutional Money Market Fund
Aon Captives Class
Institutional Class
Premium Class
Select Class
Trust Class
LifePath Retirement Portfolio
Class I
Class R
LifePath 2010 Portfolio
Class I
Class R
LifePath 2020 Portfolio
Class I
Class R
LifePath 2030 Portfolio
Class I
Class R
LifePath 2040 Portfolio
Class I
Class R
Prime Money Market Fund
Institutional Class
Premium Class
Select Class
Trust Class
S&P 500 Stock Fund
Government Money Market Fund
Institutional Class
Premium Class
Select Class
Trust Class
Treasury Money Market Fund
Institutional Class
Premium Class
Select Class
Trust Class
Amended and approved by the Board of Barclays Global Investors Funds on March 15, 2007.
Exhibit (g)(3)
AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT TO CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT, is effective as of January 1, 2006, by and among BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTOR FUNDS, a statutory trust established under the laws of the state of Delaware (the "Trust"), and INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Bank").
WHEREAS, the Trust and Bank entered into a Custody Agreement dated October 21, 1996, as amended from time to time (the "Custodian Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Custodian Agreement as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Amendments.
(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall be added to Section 2 of the Agreement in appropriate alphabetical order:
"Key Performance Indicators" or "KPIs" mean the targets for specific key Service Levels specified in Appendix A hereto;
"Service Levels" means the service levels set out in the Service Level Agreements between the Trust, Barclays Global Investors, N.A. and the Bank;
(b) Section 14 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"14. Term, Termination and Transition Assistance.
14.1 Term and Termination.
(a) Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be October 21, 1996, through December 31, 2005 (the "Initial Term"). The first renewal term of this Agreement shall be January 1, 2006 through April 30, 2013 (the "First Renewal Term"). Upon expiration of any Renewal Term (as defined below), the Parties, upon mutual agreement no later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the First Renewal Term or of any Renewal Term, as the case may be, may renew this Agreement for successive terms (each, including the First Renewal Term, a "Renewal Term").
(b) Termination. The Trust may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Fund) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice in the form of Proper Instructions specifying the date upon which termination is to occur ("Termination Notice") in the event that a conservator or receiver is appointed for the Bank in accordance with 12 USC (S)1821(c) or similar and successor provisions.
(c) Further Termination. The Trust may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Fund) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term in the event:
(i) that Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in each of six
(6) separate Key Performance Indicators, each for four
consecutive months, in any rolling twelve month period. For
avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure
by the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the
relevant KPI is not (a) the result of force majeure,
(b) caused by the Trust or a direct result of a specific
request by the Trust, (c) a direct result of a specific
request by a duly authorized agent of the Trust, (d) caused by
a third party other than an agent of Bank or (e) the result of
agreement by the Parties;
(ii) of a material breach of a material provision of the Agreement;
(iii) the Board of the Fund votes to liquidate the Fund and terminate its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission other than in connection with a merger or acquisition of the Fund or the Fund's investment adviser; or
(iv) Barclays Global Investors, N.A. terminates its Custodial, Fund
Accounting and Services Agreement (as amended) with the Bank
pursuant to the fiduciary capacity provision in
Section 13.1(b)(ii) of such agreement;
provided that Trust shall not exercise its rights under subsections
(c)(i) or (ii) above unless Trust has first provided written notice
to Bank of its intent to terminate under such subsection, and Bank:
(x) does not present a plan to remedy or cure the KPI or breach that
is reasonably acceptable to the Trust, which plan will be provided as
soon as practicable, and in any event not later than ten (10) days
after such notice, and (y) has not made substantial progress toward
curing or remedying that KPI or breach in material respects to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trust, within thirty (30) days of
presenting such plan to the Trust.
(d) Assessment of Fee Schedule. Ninety days prior to November 1, 2009, the parties shall assess the Fee Schedule relating hereto, the current state, and future strategic direction of, the Trust, the Bank and their respective industries. The parties will negotiate in good faith on amendments to the Fee Schedule arising from such assessment, and if the parties are unable to agree by November 1, 2009, the Trust may in its sole discretion terminate the Agreement.
(e) Trust shall advise the Bank of any service level, practice, policy, circumstance or any breach by the Bank of which it becomes aware from time to time that, if unaddressed, would permit the termination of the Agreement under any of the bases set forth in this Section14.1.
14.2 Transition Assistance.
(a) In the event the Trust or any Fund terminates the Agreement in accordance with Section 14.1(b), 14.1(c)(i)-(iv) or 14.1(d), or upon the expiration and non-renewal of the Agreement:
(i) the Bank will immediately upon receipt of notice of termination or non-renewal, commence and prosecute diligently to completion the transfer of all cash and the delivery of all assets in the Trust's (or Fund's) accounts as to which the Agreement is terminated, duly endorsed, and all records maintained under the terms hereof and of the Service Level Agreements directly to such successor custodian appointed by the Trust ("Transfer");
(ii) the Bank will provide such reasonably necessary transition assistance (the "Transition Assistance"). The Bank will fully cooperate with the Trust and will provide such reasonable assistance as directed by Trust to effectively transition the services provided by the Bank to the Trust under this Agreement to a successor entity (or entities) as designated by the Trust in its sole discretion, including but not limited to using its commercially reasonable efforts to provide for an orderly transition of the funds from Bank's custody to the successor's custody. During such transition period, the Trust will continue to pay the Bank the fees applicable to such services set forth in the then-current Fee Schedule, plus an amount calculated based on additional time and materials outside the usual services provided under this Agreement and required to effect the conversion of the services to a successor service provider. The Bank shall provide Transition Services for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months as requested by the Trust;
(iii) Bank and Trust shall negotiate in good faith to agree on a plan for the orderly transition of the Trust to a successor service provider by no later than sixty (60) days after the date of termination or non-renewal;
(iv) Trust shall, in the event Transition Assistance is required for more than twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination, pay the Bank an annual bonus on a monthly basis in an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate fees being charged as of the date of termination; and
(v) The Trust and the Bank will take all reasonably necessary steps as mutually agreed by the Parties, to assure the retention of key employees of Bank involved in the provision of Transition Services.
14.3 Release.
Upon Transfer of a Fund or completion of the Transition Assistance, as the case may be, the Bank shall be released from any and all further obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Fund as to which this Agreement is terminated; provided that Bank shall continue to be responsible for services normally provided by custodians post-conversion in the normal course of business at the Bank's then current rates.
14.4 Survival
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party's obligations under Sections 13.2, 15 and 24 hereof shall continue and remain in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
(c) The following new Sections 24, 25 and 26 shall be inserted at the end of the Agreement:
"24.Service Levels
(a) Service Credits. Only during the period in which the Bank is providing Transition Assistance:
(i) In the event Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in the
relevant Key Performance Indicator for two consecutive months,
the Trust shall receive a "Service Credit". "Service Credit"
shall mean: a five percent (5%) reduction of fees, only for
the service to which the uncured KPI relates, for the month in
which the uncured KPI failures occurred, and only for the Fund
affected by the uncured KPI failures. For avoidance of doubt,
this right shall only apply if the failure by the Bank to meet
the Service Level as defined in the relevant KPI is not
(a) the result of force majeure, (b) caused by the Trust or a
direct result of a specific request by the Trust, (c) a direct
result of a specific request by an agent of the Trust,
(d) caused by a third party other than an agent of Bank or
(e) the result of agreement by the Parties.
(ii) Service Credits shall be calculated on a monthly basis, and the Service Credits shall be payable as an offset against current or future fees owed by the Trust, and upon termination, expiration or non-renewal of the Agreement, all unused Service Credits shall be paid in cash to the Trust.
(iii) The Bank shall not be deemed to have failed to meet a monthly KPI where such failure arises from a single underlying cause that is promptly remedied by the Bank, without the occurrence of which, the Bank would not have failed to meet that KPI in that month.
(iv) Time periods referenced in this section 24 shall begin to run as of the date Bank knows, reasonably should have known, or is notified of the relevant failure.
(v) The Bank shall earn back 100% of any Service Credit, provided that the Bank achieves the applicable KPI requirement the failure of which led to the Service Credit for two consecutive months beginning in the month following the month in which the Service Credit is earned. For example, if the Bank fails to meet a particular KPI for January and February of a year, the Bank shall earn back 100% of the associated Service Credit if the Bank meets that KPI in the months of March and April.
(vi) Bank acknowledges that its failure to meet the minimum levels set forth in the Key Performance Indicators would have a material adverse effect on the Trust's business. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits represent a reduction in the fees payable by the Trust hereunder which, in turn, reflects Bank's provision of a lower level of services than that required by the Trust. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits are reasonably proportionate to the loss likely to be suffered by the Trust as a result of the failure by Bank to meet the applicable KPIs.
(vii) The level of Service Credits payable in any calendar year will
not exceed in aggregate 5% of the aggregate fees payable under
the Agreement for that year.
(viii)The Trust shall not be entitled to recover as part of any
damages claim any sums credited or paid as Service Credits if
the damages claim arose from a KPI failure,
provided the damages to which the Trust is otherwise entitled arose from the same services to which the KPI failure relates, for the same Fund, and for the same underlying event.
(b) Customized Technology Deliverables. Bank will deliver into escrow for the benefit of the Trust copies of all final requirements documentation related to any builds, features or functionality customized for the Trust, that are incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement (the "Requirements Documentation"), within thirty (30) days after such builds, features or functionality have been incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services. Such Requirements Documentation shall be in the form customarily produced by the Bank in connection with such projects generally. The Trust shall have access to such Requirements Documentation only in the event of the termination of this Agreement other than by reason of breach by the Trust. Bank hereby grants to the Trust a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-transferable and non-exclusive license, solely for the purpose of the Trust's or the Trust's third party supplier assuming performance obligations for the Services previously performed by Bank hereunder.
25. Service Enhancements.
(a) Market Leader: Bank hereby commits that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to continue to develop and provide to the Trust service enhancements that will enable the Trust to maintain the Trust's market leader position in product innovation, information technology, and service delivery (collectively, "Market Efforts"). The Trust acknowledges that Bank has been successful in providing Market Efforts during the Initial Term. Bank agrees that its Market Efforts will be and will continue to be during the Renewal Term no less favorable than those being offered at that time by Bank to any other customer purchasing services of a type substantially similar to the services provided hereunder relating to funds in aggregate substantially similar in scope (even if smaller in asset size) to the Funds. Bank shall, upon written request, review and have an officer of its company certify its compliance with this section to the Trust. If Bank at any time offers other customers or brokers processes, discounts and/or other cost reduction methods or improved services more favorable than those provided to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement such that the foregoing terms of this subsection become untrue, Bank shall promptly offer these to the Trust prospectively from the date such more favorable terms were offered to other customers or brokers, unless Bank is prevented from doing so in a reasonable manner due to third party patent related restrictions. Bank acknowledges that the requirements of this paragraph 25 are a material provision of this Agreement.
(b) Transfer Agency/Call Center: The Bank will use commercially reasonable efforts (as appropriate for a similarly situated institutional transfer agent) to develop and maintain a customer call center with adequate resources and personnel to respond to and support the Trust, its Funds, and the Funds' shareholders, in accordance with the Trust's requirements as more fully set forth in the SLA, which may change from time to time as call volumes change.
26. Dispute Resolution.
(a) In the event of any dispute under the Agreement, each Party will appoint a designated representative whose task will be to resolve the dispute (the "Representatives"). The Representatives will have five (5) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution to the dispute. During the course of such discussions, each Party will honor the other Party's reasonable requests for relevant information, including but not limited to providing copies of
relevant documents. The specified format for such discussions will be left to the discretion of the Representatives, but may include the preparation and delivery of statements of facts or written statements of positions.
(b) If the Representatives are unable to resolve the dispute within such five
(5) day period, the Representatives will refer the dispute to their
respective CEO, President or COO (the "Managers"). Such Managers will have
ten (10) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution of
the dispute. If the Managers are unable to resolve the dispute within such
ten (10) day period, the Parties may elect to extend the time for such
dispute resolution, or proceed in accordance with their respective rights
under this Agreement or otherwise.
(c) If the Parties are unable to resolve the dispute as set forth herein, the Parties may, upon mutual agreement, seek to resolve the dispute through mediation."
2. Miscellaneous.
a) Except as amended hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
b) This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTOR FUNDS INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Michael Latham By: /s/ Michael Rogers ------------------------------- ----------------------------- Name: Michael Latham Name: Michael Rogers Title: Secretary/Treasurer Title: President BGI Funds and MIP By: /s/ Raman Suri ------------------------- Name: Raman Suri Title: Assistant Treasurer |
Appendix B - Key Performance Indicators
Service Category Task Criteria ------------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------- 1 Fund Accounting Unit Value Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.8%. 2 Fund Accounting Unit Value Delivery Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 98% for CTFs and SLA plus 2 hours at rate of 98% for iShares and MIPs. 3 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Achieve an accuracy rate of Accuracy at least 99.75% for CTFs and 99.7% for iShares and MIPs. 4 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Achieve a timeliness rate of Delivery SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. 5 TA Distributions Delivery Distributions will be processed into client's accounts, by Payable Date + 2, with no more than 4 exceptions per month. 6 IT Services SWIFT 535 and 950 Achieve a timeliness rate of messages and SEI SLA plus 3 hours with no Client Holdings and more than 4 exceptions per Transactions Report month per message type. Delivery 7 Fund Accounting Unit Settlement Achieve a timeliness rate of Delivery SLA plus 2 hours with no more than 4 exceptions per month.. 8 Fund Accounting PRV Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.7%. 9 Corporate Actions Corporate Actions Achieve SLA requirements Notification/Processing/ for these activities at an Posting for Vaulted accuracy rate of 99%. Assets 10 TA Trade Wires Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA+1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. 11 TA MIP Order Flow Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 2 hours at a rate of at least 99%. 12 Directed Loan Ops Securities Loan Settlement percentage of Movements 99%. |
Exhibit (h)(5)
AMENDMENT TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT TO TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT is effective as of January 1, 2006, by and among BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTOR FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Bank").
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Bank (together, the "Parties") entered into a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 27, 1998, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Amendments.
(a) The following new Section 1A shall be added to the Agreement following
Section 1 thereof:
"1A. Definitions
"Key Performance Indicators" or "KPIs" mean the targets for specific key Service Levels specified in Appendix B hereto;
"Service Levels" means the service levels set out in the Service Level Agreements between the Trust, Barclays Global Investors, N.A. and the Bank."
(b) Section 19 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"19. Term, Termination and Transition Assistance.
19.1 Term and Termination.
(a) Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be February 27, 1998, through December 31, 2005 (the "Initial Term"). The first renewal term of this Agreement shall be January 1, 2006 through April 30, 2013 (the "First Renewal Term"). Upon expiration of any Renewal Term (as defined below), the Parties, upon mutual agreement no later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the First Renewal Term or of any Renewal Term, as the case may be, may renew this Agreement for successive terms (each, including the First Renewal Term, a "Renewal Term").
(b) Termination. The Trust may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Fund) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice in the form of Proper Instructions specifying the date upon which termination is to occur ("Termination Notice") in the event that a conservator or receiver is appointed for the Bank in accordance with 12 USC (S)1821(c) or similar and successor provisions.
(c) Further Termination. The Trust may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Fund) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term in the event:
(i) that Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in each of six
(6) separate Key Performance Indicators, each for four
consecutive months, in any rolling twelve month period. For
avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure
by the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the
relevant KPI is not (a) the result of force majeure, (b) caused
by the Trust or a direct result of a specific request by the
Trust, (c) a direct result of a specific request by a duly
authorized agent of Trust, (d) caused by a third party other
than an agent of Bank or (e) the result of an agreement by the
Parties;
(ii) of a material breach of a material provision of the Agreement;
(iii) the Board of the Fund votes to liquidate the Fund and terminate its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission other than in connection with a merger or acquisition of the Fund or the Fund's investment adviser; or
(iv) Barclays Global Investors, N.A. terminates its Custodial, Fund
Accounting and Services Agreement (as amended) with the Bank
pursuant to the fiduciary capacity provision in
Section 13.1(b)(ii) of such agreement;
provided that Trust shall not exercise its rights under subsections
(c)(i) or (ii) above unless Trust has first provided written notice to
Bank of its intent to terminate under such subsection, and Bank:
(x) does not present a plan to remedy or cure the KPI or breach that
is reasonably acceptable to the Trust, which plan will be provided as
soon as practicable, and in any event not later than ten (10) days
after such notice, and (y) has not made substantial progress toward
curing or remedying that KPI or breach in material respects to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trust, within thirty (30) days of
presenting such plan to the Trust.
(d) Assessment of Fee Schedule. Ninety days prior to November 1, 2009, the Parties shall assess the Fee Schedule relating hereto, the current state, and future strategic direction of, the Trust, the Bank and their respective industries. The parties will negotiate in good faith on amendments to the Fee Schedule arising from such assessment, and if the parties are unable to agree by November 1, 2009, the Trust may in its sole discretion terminate the Agreement.
(e) Trust shall advise the Bank of any service level, practice, policy, circumstance or any breach by the Bank of which it becomes aware from time to time that, if unaddressed, would permit the termination of the Agreement under any of the bases set forth in this Section 19.1.
19.2 Transition Assistance.
(a) In the event the Trust or any Fund terminates the Agreement in accordance with Section 19.1(b), 19.1(c)(i)-(iv) or 19.1(d), or upon the expiration and non-renewal of the Agreement:
(i) the Bank will immediately upon receipt of notice of termination or non-renewal, commence and prosecute diligently to completion the transfer of all cash and the delivery of all assets in the Trust's (or Fund's) accounts as to which the Agreement is terminated, duly endorsed, and all records maintained under the terms hereof and of the Service Level Agreements directly to such successor custodian appointed by the Trust ("Transfer");
(ii) the Bank will provide such reasonably necessary transition assistance (the "Transition Assistance"). The Bank will fully cooperate with the Trust and will provide such reasonable assistance as directed by Trust to effectively transition the services provided by the Bank to the Trust under this Agreement to a successor entity (or entities) as designated by the Trust in its sole discretion, including but not limited to using its commercially reasonable efforts to provide for an orderly transition of the funds from Bank's custody to the successor's custody. During such transition period, the Trust will continue to pay the Bank the fees applicable to such services set forth in the then-current Fee Schedule, plus an amount calculated based on additional time and materials outside the usual services provided under this Agreement and required to effect the conversion of the services to a successor service provider. The Bank shall provide Transition Services for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months as requested by the Trust;
(iii) Bank and Trust shall negotiate in good faith to agree on a plan for the orderly transition of the Trust to a successor service provider by no later than sixty (60) days after the date of termination or non-renewal;
(iv) Trust shall, in the event Transition Assistance is required for more than twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination, pay the Bank an annual bonus on a monthly basis in an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate fees being charged as of the date of termination; and
(v) The Trust and the Bank will take all reasonably necessary steps as mutually agreed by the Parties, to assure the retention of key employees of Bank involved in the provision of Transition Services.
19.3 Release.
Upon Transfer of a Fund or completion of the Transition Assistance, as the case may be, the Bank shall be released from any and all further obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Fund as to which this Agreement is terminated; provided that Bank shall continue to be responsible for services normally provided by transfer agents post-conversion in the normal course of business at the Bank's then current rates.
19.4 Survival
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party's obligations under Sections 13, 17 and 26 hereof shall continue and remain in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
(c) The following new Sections 26, 27 and 28 shall be inserted at the end of the Agreement:
"26.Service Levels
(a) Service Credits. Only during the period in which the Bank is providing Transition Assistance:
(i) In the event Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in the relevant Key Performance Indicator for two consecutive months, the Trust shall receive a "Service Credit". "Service Credit" shall mean: a five percent (5%) reduction of fees, only for the service to which the uncured KPI relates, for the month in which the uncured KPI failures occurred, and only for the Fund affected by the uncured KPI failures. For avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure by the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the relevant KPI is not (a) the result of force majeure, (b) caused by the Trust or a direct result of a specific request by the Trust, (c) a direct result of a specific request by an agent of the Trust, (d) caused by a third party other than an agent of Bank or (e) the result of agreement by the Parties.
(ii) Service Credits shall be calculated on a monthly basis, and the Service Credits shall be payable as an offset against current or future fees owed by the Trust, and upon termination, expiration or non-renewal of the Agreement, all unused Service Credits shall be paid in cash to the Trust.
(iii) The Bank shall not be deemed to have failed to meet a monthly KPI where such failure arises from a single underlying cause that is promptly remedied by the Bank, without the occurrence of which, the Bank would not have failed to meet that KPI in that month.
(iv) Time periods referenced in this section 26 shall begin to run as of the date Bank knows, reasonably should have known, or is notified of the relevant failure.
(v) The Bank shall earn back 100% of any Service Credit, provided that the Bank achieves the applicable KPI requirement the failure of which led to the Service Credit for two consecutive months beginning in the month following the month in which the Service Credit is earned. For example, if the Bank fails to meet a particular KPI for January and February of a year, the Bank shall earn back 100% of the associated Service Credit if the Bank meets that KPI in the months of March and April.
(vi) Bank acknowledges that its failure to meet the minimum levels set forth in the Key Performance Indicators would have a material adverse effect on the Trust's business. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits represent a reduction in the fees payable by the Trust hereunder which, in turn, reflects Bank's provision of a lower level of services than that required by the Trust. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits are reasonably proportionate to the loss likely to be suffered by the Trust as a result of the failure by Bank to meet the applicable KPIs.
(vii) The level of Service Credits payable in any calendar year will not exceed in aggregate 5% of the aggregate fees payable under the Agreement for that year.
(viii) The Trust shall not be entitled to recover as part of any damages claim any sums credited or paid as Service Credits if the damages claim arose from a KPI failure,
provided the damages to which the Trust is otherwise entitled arose from the same services to which the KPI failure relates, for the same Fund, and for the same underlying event.
(b) Customized Technology Deliverables. Bank will deliver into escrow for the benefit of the Trust copies of all final requirements documentation related to any builds, features or functionality customized for the Fund, that are incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement (the "Requirements Documentation"), within thirty (30) days after such builds, features or functionality have been incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services. Such Requirements Documentation shall be in the form customarily produced by the Bank in connection with such projects generally. The Fund shall have access to such Requirements Documentation only in the event of the termination of this Agreement other than by reason of breach by the Fund. Bank hereby grants to the Fund a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-transferable and non-exclusive license, solely for the purpose of the Fund's or the Fund's third party supplier assuming performance obligations for the Services previously performed by Bank hereunder.
27.Service Enhancements.
Market Leader: Bank hereby commits that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to continue to develop and provide to the Trust service enhancements that will enable the Trust to maintain the Trust's market leader position in product innovation, information technology, and service delivery (collectively, "Market Efforts"). The Trust acknowledges that Bank has been successful in providing Market Efforts during the Initial Term. Bank agrees that its Market Efforts will be and will continue to be during the Renewal Term no less favorable than those being offered at that time by Bank to any other customer purchasing services of a type substantially similar to the services provided hereunder relating to funds in aggregate substantially similar in scope (even if smaller in asset size) to the Funds. Bank shall, upon written request, review and have an officer of its company certify its compliance with this section to the Trust. If Bank at any time offers other customers or brokers processes, discounts and/or other cost reduction methods or improved services more favorable than those provided to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement such that the foregoing terms of this subsection become untrue, Bank shall promptly offer these to the Trust prospectively from the date such more favorable terms were offered to other customers or brokers, unless Bank is prevented from doing so in a reasonable manner due to third party patent related restrictions. Bank acknowledges that the requirements of this paragraph 25 are a material provision of this Agreement.
28.Dispute Resolution.
(a) In the event of any dispute under the Agreement, each Party will appoint a designated representative whose task will be to resolve the dispute (the "Representatives"). The Representatives will have five (5) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution to the dispute. During the course of such discussions, each Party will honor the other Party's reasonable requests for relevant information, including but not limited to providing copies of relevant documents. The specified format for such discussions will be left to the discretion of the Representatives, but may include the preparation and delivery of statements of facts or written statements of positions.
(b) If the Representatives are unable to resolve the dispute within such five
(5) day period, the Representatives will refer the dispute to their
respective CEO, President or COO (the "Managers"). Such Managers will have
ten (10) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution of
the dispute. If the Managers are unable to resolve the dispute within such
ten (10) day period, the Parties may elect to extend the time for such dispute resolution, or proceed in accordance with their respective rights under this Agreement or otherwise.
(c) If the Parties are unable to resolve the dispute as set forth herein, the Parties may, upon mutual agreement, seek to resolve the dispute through mediation."
2. Miscellaneous.
a) Except as amended hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
b) This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTOR FUNDS INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Michael Latham By: /s/ Michael Rogers ------------------------------- ------------------------------- Name: Michael Latham Name: Michael Rogers Title: Secretary/Treasurer Title: President BGI Funds and MIP By: /s/ Raman Suri ------------------------------- Name: Raman Suri Title: Assistant Treasurer |
Appendix C - Key Performance Indicators
Service Category Task Criteria ----------------- ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 Fund Accounting Unit Value Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.8%. 2 Fund Accounting Unit Value Delivery Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 98% for CTFs and SLA plus 2 hours at rate of 98% for iShares and MIPs. 3 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.75% for CTFs and 99.7% for iShares and Accuracy MIPs. 4 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. Delivery 5 TA Distributions Distributions will be processed into client's accounts, by Payable Date + 2, with no Delivery more than 4 exceptions per month. 6 IT Services SWIFT 535 and 950 Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 3 hours with no more than 4 exceptions per messages and SEI month per message type. Client Holdings and Transactions Report Delivery 7 Fund Accounting Unit Settlement Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 2 hours with no more than 4 exceptions per Delivery month.. 8 Fund Accounting PRV Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.7%. 9 Corporate Actions Corporate Actions Achieve SLA requirements for these activities at an accuracy rate of 99%. Notification/ Processing/ Posting for Vaulted Assets 10 TA Trade Wires Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA+1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. 11 TA MIP Order Flow Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 2 hours at a rate of at least 99%. 12 Directed Loan Ops Securities Loan Settlement percentage of 99%. Movements |
Exhibit (h)(9)
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
This MASTER ADMINISTRATION FEE WAIVER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made effective as of the 1st day of September, 2006, by and between Barclays Global Investors, N.A. (the "Administrator") and Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust"), on behalf of each of its series from time to time set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each, a "Fund").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management company, and is organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;
WHEREAS, the Administrator and the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, are parties to an Administration Agreement (the "Administration Agreement"), pursuant to which the Administrator provides administration services, for each Fund, including assuming certain expenses, in consideration of compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of such Fund (the "Administration Fee"); and
WHEREAS, the Administrator has voluntarily determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Funds (or certain classes of such Funds) and the shareholders of such Funds (or classes thereof) to waive a part of the Administration Fee with respect to each such Fund or class as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (the "Fee Waiver"). The Trust, on behalf of each such Fund, and the Administrator, therefore, have entered into this Agreement in order to effect the Fee Waiver for each such Fund (or class) at the level specified in Schedule A attached hereto on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Contractual Fee Waiver. During the Term (as defined in Section 3 below), the Administrator shall waive a portion of its Administration Fee with respect to each Fund (or class thereof) as set forth in Schedule A attached hereto.
2. Voluntary Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Administrator from either voluntarily waiving administration fees it is entitled to from any series of the Trust (or any class of such series) or voluntarily reimbursing expenses of any series of the Trust (or any class of such series), including the Funds (and the classes) set forth in Schedule A, as the Administrator in its discretion deems reasonable or appropriate. Any such voluntary waiver or voluntary expense reimbursement may be modified or terminated by the Administrator at any time in its sole and absolute discretion without the approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees.
3. Term; Termination.
3.1 Term. The term ("Term") of the Fee Waiver with respect to a Fund (or class thereof) shall begin on the date hereof (or the date on which a Fund (or class
thereof) is added to Schedule A, if later) and end after the close of
business on April 30th of the immediately succeeding calendar year
(or such other date specified on Schedule A or as agreed to in
writing between the Administrator and the Trust with respect to a
Fund) unless the Fee Waiver is earlier terminated in accordance with
Section 3.2. The Term of the Fee Waiver with respect to a Fund (or
class thereof) may be continued from year to year thereafter provided
that each such continuance is specifically approved by the
Administrator and the Trust with respect to such Fund (or class
thereof). Neither the Administrator nor the Trust shall be obligated
to extend the Fee Waiver with respect to any Fund (or class thereof).
3.2 Termination. The Fee Waiver with respect to a Fund (or class thereof) shall terminate upon:
(i) the close of business of the first April 30th after the failure of such Fee Waiver to be continued in accordance with Section 3.1 or such other date specified on Schedule A;
(ii) the termination of such Fund's Administration Agreement, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrator and the Trust;
(iii) a reduction in the rate at which the Administrator is compensated with respect to the Fund (or class thereof) under the Administration Agreement, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrator; or
(iv) a writing duly executed by the Administrator and the Trust with respect to such Fund (or class thereof) terminating the Fee Waiver.
4. Miscellaneous.
4.1 Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
4.2 Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust to take any action contrary to the Trust's Declaration of Trust or Bylaws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust's Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust.
4.3 Limitation of Liability. The obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a Fund shall be enforced against the assets of such Fund or applicable class thereof and not against the assets of any other class or any other Fund or series of the Trust. It is understood and expressly stipulated that neither the shareholders of a Fund nor the Trustees of the Trust shall be personally liable hereunder.
4.4 Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the computations of average daily net assets or of any Administration Fee, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of any Administration Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Administration Agreement or the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States Courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such Court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. In addition, if the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is revised by rule, regulation or order of the SEC, that provision will be deemed to incorporate the effect of that rule, regulation or order. Otherwise the provisions of this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of California.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers as of the day and year first above written.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
on behalf of each FUND
By: /s/ Michael Latham ----------------------------- Michael A. Latham Title: Principal Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A.
By: /s/ Lee Kranefuss ----------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss Title: Managing Director By: /s/ Michael Latham ----------------------------- Michael A. Latham Title: Managing Director |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
MASTER ADMINISTRATION FEE WAIVER AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
List of Funds
(all percentages are expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Contractual Administration Net Administration Fund Class Administration Fee Fee Waiver Fee After Waiver ---- ------ ------------------ -------------- ------------------ Institutional Money Market Fund Select 0.15% 0.02% 0.13% Prime Money Market Fund Select 0.15% 0.02% 0.13% Government Money Market Fund Select 0.15% 0.02% 0.13% Treasury Money Market Fund Select 0.15% 0.02% 0.13% |
Term: Notwithstanding Sections 3.1 or 3.2 of this Agreement, the term of the waiver for the Select Share Class of the Money Market Funds listed above ends at the close of business on April 30, 2008.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Barclays Global Investors Funds on August 29, 2006
Exhibit (h)(13)
AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT, is effective as of
January 1, 2006, by and among BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A. ("BGI"), and
INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY (the "Bank").
WHEREAS, BGI and Bank (together, the "Parties") entered into a Sub-Administration Agreement dated October 21, 1996, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Amendments.
(a) The following new Section 1A shall be added to the Agreement following
Section 1 thereof:
"1A. Definitions
"Key Performance Indicators" or "KPIs" mean the targets for specific key Service Levels specified in Appendix D hereto;
"Service Levels" means the service levels set out in the Service Level Agreement between BGI and the Bank."
(b) Section 6 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"6. Term, Termination and Transition Assistance.
6.1 Term and Termination.
(a) Term. The initial term of this Agreement shall be May 21, 2002
through December 31, 2005 (the "Initial Term"). The first renewal
term of this Agreement shall be January 1, 2006 through April 30,
2007 (the "First Renewal Term"). After the expiration of the First
Renewal Term, the term of this Agreement shall automatically renew
for a second renewal term which shall be May 1, 2007 through
April 30, 2013 (the "Second Renewal Term"), unless written notice of
non-renewal is delivered by the Fund to the Bank no later than ninety
(90) days prior to the expiration of the First Renewal Term. Upon
expiration of the Second Renewal Term or any succeeding Renewal Term
(as defined below), the Parties, upon mutual agreement no later than
one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Second
Renewal Term or of any Renewal Term, as the case may be, may renew
this Agreement for successive terms (each, including the First
Renewal Term, a "Renewal Term").
(b) Termination. BGI may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Index Series) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice in the form of Proper Instructions specifying the date upon which termination is to occur ("Termination Notice") in the event that a
conservator or receiver is appointed for the Bank in accordance with 12 USC (Section) 1821(c) or similar and successor provisions.
(c) Further Termination. BGI may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Portfolio) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term in the event:
(i) that Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in each of six
(6) separate Key Performance Indicators, each for four
consecutive months, in any rolling twelve month period. For
avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure
by the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the
relevant KPI is not (a) the result of force majeure,
(b) caused by BGI or a direct result of a specific request by
BGI, (c) a direct result of a specific request by a duly
authorized agent of BGI, (d) caused by a third party other
than an agent of Bank or (e) the result of an agreement by the
Parties;
(ii) of a material breach of a material provision of the Agreement;
(iii) the Boards of the Portfolios vote to liquidate the Portfolios and terminate the Portfolios' respective registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission other than in connection with a merger or acquisition of a Portfolio or the Portfolios' investment adviser;
(iv) BGI terminates its Custodial, Fund Accounting and Services Agreement (as amended) with the Bank pursuant to the fiduciary capacity provision in Section 13.1(b)(ii) of such agreement; or
(v) BGI may terminate this Agreement if the Administration Agreement between BGI and MIP, and the Administration Agreement between BGI and BGIF are terminated and no successor agreements between BGI and MIP and/or BGIF for the provision of administrative services are subsequently executed within 90 days after the termination of the Administration Agreement between BGI and MIP, and the Administration Agreement between BGI and BGIF;
provided that BGI shall not exercise its rights under subsections
(c)(i) or (ii) above unless BGI has first provided written notice to
Bank of its intent to terminate under such subsection, and Bank:
(x) does not present a plan to remedy or cure the KPI or breach that
is reasonably acceptable to BGI, which plan will be provided as soon
as practicable, and in any event not later than ten (10) days after
such notice, and (y) has not made substantial progress toward curing
or remedying that KPI or breach in material respects to the
reasonable satisfaction of BGI, within thirty (30) days of
presenting such plan to BGI.
(d) Assessment of Fee Schedule. Ninety (90) days prior to November 1, 2009, the parties shall assess the Fee Schedule relating hereto, the current state, and future strategic direction of, BGI, the Bank and their respective industries. The parties will negotiate in good faith on amendments to the Fee Schedule arising from such assessment, and if the parties are unable to agree by November 1, 2009, BGI may in its sole discretion terminate the Agreement.
(e) BGI shall advise the Bank of any service level, practice, policy,
circumstance or any breach by the Bank of which it becomes aware
from time to time that, if unaddressed, would permit the termination
of the Agreement under any of the bases set forth in this
Section 6.1.
(f) At any time after the termination of this Agreement, BGI may, upon written request, have reasonable access to the records of Sub-Administrator relating to its performance of its duties as Sub-Administrator.
6.2 Transition Assistance.
(a) In the event BGI terminates the Agreement or any Portfolio in accordance with Section 6.1(b), 6.1(c)(i)-(iv) or 6.1(d), or upon the expiration and non-renewal of the Agreement:
(i) the Bank will immediately upon receipt of notice of termination or non-renewal, commence and prosecute diligently to completion the transfer of all property and the delivery of all assets of BGI and the Portfolios as to which the Agreement is terminated, duly endorsed, and all records maintained under the terms hereof and of the Service Level Agreements directly to the successor administrator selected by BGI or the Portfolios, as applicable ("Transfer");
(ii) the Bank will provide such reasonably necessary transition assistance (the "Transition Assistance"). The Bank will fully cooperate with BGI and will provide such reasonable assistance as directed by BGI to effectively transition the services provided by the Bank to BGI under this Agreement to a successor entity (or entities) as designated by BGI in its sole discretion, including but not limited to using its commercially reasonable efforts to provide for an orderly transition of funds from Bank's custody to the successor's custody. During such transition period, BGI will continue to pay the Bank the fees applicable to such services set forth in the then-current Fee Schedule, plus an amount calculated based on additional time and materials outside the usual services provided under this Agreement and required to effect the conversion of the services to a successor service provider. The Bank shall provide Transition Services for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months as requested by BGI;
(iii) Bank and BGI shall negotiate in good faith to agree on a plan for the orderly transition of BGI to a successor service provider by no later than sixty (60) days after the date of termination or non-renewal;
(iv) BGI shall, in the event Transition Assistance is required for more than twenty-four (24) months from the date of termination, pay the Bank an annual bonus on a monthly basis in an amount equal to 5% of the aggregate fees being charged as of the date of termination; and
(v) BGI and Bank will take all reasonably necessary steps as mutually agreed by the Parties, to assure the retention of key employees of Bank involved in the provision of Transition Services.
6.3 Release.
Upon Transfer of an Index Series or completion of the Transition Assistance, as the case may be, the Bank shall be released from any and all further obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Index Series as to which this Agreement is terminated; provided that Bank shall continue to be responsible for services normally provided by administrators post-conversion in the normal course of business at the Bank's then current rates.
6.4 Survival
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each Party's obligations under Sections 5, 9 and 13 hereof shall continue and remain in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
(c) Service Credits; Technology; Service Enhancements. The following new Sections 13, 14 and 15 shall be inserted at the end of the Agreement:
"13. Service Levels
(a) Service Credits. Only during the period in which the Bank is providing Transition Assistance:
(i) In the event Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in the
relevant Key Performance Indicator for two consecutive months,
BGI shall receive a "Service Credit". "Service Credit" shall
mean: a five percent (5%) reduction of fees, only for the
service to which the uncured KPI relates, for the month in
which the uncured KPI failures occurred, and only for the
Index Series affected by the uncured KPI failures. For
avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure
by the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the
relevant KPI is not (a) the result of force majeure,
(b) caused by BGI or a direct result of a specific request by
BGI, (c) a direct result of a specific request by an agent of
BGI, (d) caused by a third party other than an agent of Bank
or (e) the result of agreement by the Parties.
(ii) Service Credits shall be calculated on a monthly basis, and the Service Credits shall be payable as an offset against current or future fees owed by BGI, and upon termination, expiration or non-renewal of the Agreement, all unused Service Credits shall be paid in cash to BGI.
(iii) The Bank shall not be deemed to have failed to meet a monthly KPI where such failure arises from a single underlying cause that is promptly remedied by the Bank, without the occurrence of which, the Bank would not have failed to meet that KPI in that month.
(iv) Time periods referenced in this section 13 shall begin to run as of the date Bank knows, reasonably should have known, or is notified of the relevant failure.
(v) The Bank shall earn back 100% of any Service Credit, provided that the Bank achieves the applicable KPI requirement the failure of which led to the Service Credit for two consecutive months beginning in the month following the month in which the Service Credit is earned. For example, if the Bank fails to meet a particular KPI for January and February of a year, the Bank shall earn back 100%
of the associated Service Credit if the Bank meets that KPI in the months of March and April.
(vi) Bank acknowledges that its failure to meet the minimum levels set forth in the Key Performance Indicators would have a material adverse effect on BGI's business. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits represent a reduction in the fees payable by BGI hereunder which, in turn, reflects Bank's provision of a lower level of services than that required by BGI. Bank further acknowledges that the Service Credits are reasonably proportionate to the loss likely to be suffered by BGI as a result of the failure by Bank to meet the applicable KPIs.
(vii) The level of Service Credits payable in any calendar year will not exceed in aggregate 5% of the aggregate fees payable under the Agreement for that year.
(viii) BGI shall not be entitled to recover as part of any damages claim any sums credited or paid as Service Credits if the damages claim arose from a KPI failure, provided the damages to which BGI is otherwise entitled arose from the same services to which the KPI failure relates, for the same Index Series, and for the same underlying event.
(b) Customized Technology Deliverables. Bank will deliver into escrow for the benefit of BGI copies of all final requirements documentation related to any builds, features or functionality customized for BGI, that are incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services under this Agreement (the "Requirements Documentation"), within thirty (30) days after such builds, features or functionality have been incorporated into or used in connection with the provision of services. Such Requirements Documentation shall be in the form customarily produced by the Bank in connection with such projects generally. BGI shall have access to such Requirements Documentation only in the event of the termination of this Agreement other than by reason of breach by BGI. Bank hereby grants to BGI a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully paid-up, non-transferable and non-exclusive license, solely for the purpose of BGI's or BGI's third party supplier assuming performance obligations for the Services previously performed by Bank hereunder.
14. Service Enhancements.
Market Leader: Bank hereby commits that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) continue to develop and provide to BGI service enhancements that will enable BGI to maintain BGI's market leader position in product innovation, information technology, service delivery and securities lending (collectively, "Market Efforts"). BGI acknowledges that Bank has been successful in providing Market Efforts during the Initial Term. Bank agrees that its Market Efforts will be and will continue to be during the Renewal Term no less favorable than those being offered at that time by Bank to any other customer purchasing services of a type substantially similar to the services provided hereunder relating to BGIs in aggregate substantially similar in scope (even if smaller in asset size) to the Portfolios serviced under this Agreement. Bank shall, upon written request, review and have an officer of its company certify its compliance with this section to BGI. If Bank at any time offers other customers or brokers processes, discounts and/or other cost reduction methods or improved services more favorable than those provided to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement such that the foregoing terms of this subsection become untrue, Bank shall promptly offer these to BGI prospectively from the date such more favorable terms were offered to other customers or brokers, unless Bank is prevented from doing so in a reasonable manner due to third party patent related
restrictions. Bank acknowledges that the requirements of this paragraph 14 are a material provision of this Agreement.
15. Dispute Resolution.
(a) In the event of any dispute under the Agreement, each Party will appoint a designated representative whose task will be to resolve the dispute (the "Representatives"). The Representatives will have five (5) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution to the dispute. During the course of such discussions, each Party will honor the other Party's reasonable requests for relevant information, including but not limited to providing copies of relevant documents. The specified format for such discussions will be left to the discretion of the Representatives, but may include the preparation and delivery of statements of facts or written statements of positions.
(b) If the Representatives are unable to resolve the dispute within such five
(5) day period, the Representatives will refer the dispute to their
respective CEO, President or COO (the "Managers"). Such Managers will have
ten (10) business days to meet and discuss in good faith a resolution of
the dispute. If the Managers are unable to resolve the dispute within such
ten (10) day period, the Parties may elect to extend the time for such
dispute resolution, or proceed in accordance with their respective rights
under this Agreement or otherwise.
(c) If the Parties are unable to resolve the dispute as set forth herein, the Parties may, upon mutual agreement, seek to resolve the dispute through mediation."
* * *
(d) Appendix B to the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Appendix B as attached hereto.
2. Miscellaneous.
a) Except as amended hereby, the Sub-Administration Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
b) This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A. INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Michael Latham By: /s/ Michael F. Rogers -------------------------------- --------------------- Name: Michael Latham Name: Michael F. Rogers Title: Managing Director Title: President By: /s/ Raman Suri -------------------------------- Name: Raman Suri Title: Chief Administrative Officer |
Appendix B--Administrative Services to be Provided by Investors Bank & Trust Company ("IBT")
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------ MANAGEMENT REPORTING & TREASURY ADMINISTRATION Monitor portfolio X Perform tests of certain Continuously monitor A/C* - Provide compliance in specific portfolio activities portfolio activity and Fund consultation as needed on accordance with the against compliance operations in conjunction compliance issues. current checklists designed from with 1940 Act, Registration provisions of the Fund's Registration Statement Statement. Registration Statement. and any other applicable Follow-up on potential laws and regulations. Frequency: Daily violations. Monitor testing results and approve resolution of compliance issues. Provide compliance X Provide a report of Review report. A/C - Provide consultation summary package. compliance testing results. as needed. Frequency: Bi-Monthly Perform asset X Perform asset Continuously monitor A - Provide consultation diversification diversification tests at portfolio activity in as needed in establishing testing to each tax quarter end. conjunction with IRS positions to be taken in tax establish Follow-up on issues. requirements. Review test treatment of particular qualification as a results and take any issues. Review quarter end RIC. necessary action. Approve tests on a current basis tax positions taken. Frequency: Quarterly Perform qualifying X Perform qualifying Continuously monitor A- Consult as needed on income testing to income testing (on book portfolio activity in tax accounting positions to establish basis income, unless conjunction with IRS be taken. Review in qualification as a material differences are requirements. Review test conjunction with year-end RIC. anticipated) on quarterly results and take any audit. basis and as may necessary action. Approve Frequency: Quarterly otherwise be necessary. tax positions taken. Follow-up on issues. |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------ Monitor the Funds' X X Monitor actual expenses Provide asset level C/A - Provide consultation expense budget. updating budgets/ expense projections quarterly. as requested. accruals. Provide vendor Frequency: Quarterly information as necessary. Review expense analysis and approve budget revisions. Prepare the Funds' X X Prepare expense budget. Provide asset level annual expense Notify fund accounting of projections and vendor fee budget. Establish new accrual rates. information. Approve daily accruals. expense budget. Frequency: Annually Receive and X X Propose allocations of Approve invoices and coordinate payment invoices among Funds and allocations of payments. of Fund expenses. obtain authorized approval Send invoices to IBT in a to process payment. timely manner. Frequency: As often as necessary Calculate periodic X Calculate amounts Establish and maintain C - Review dividend dividend rates to available for distribution. dividend and distribution resolutions in conjunction be declared in Coordinate review by policies. Approve with Board approval. accordance with management and/or distribution rates per share A - Review and concur management auditors. Notify fund and aggregate amounts. with proposed guidelines. accounting, custody and Obtain Board approval distributions transfer agent of when required. Frequency: authorized dividend rates According to in accordance with Board dividend policy approved policy. (Report dividends to Board as required.) Deliver dividend rates via file to BGI ftp site. |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------ Review the Fund's X Calculate dividends in Review and approve C/A - Review and approve multi-class accordance with dividend calculation dividend calculation dividend methodology for each methodologies for each methodology for each calculation class to ensure consistency class. Approve class of shares. Provide procedures. with Rule 18f-3 and the distribution rates per share consultation as requested. Calculate periodic Fund's private letter ruling and aggregate amounts. dividend rates to or published ruling. Obtain Board approval be declared in Calculate amounts when required. accordance with available for distribution. management Coordinate review by guidelines. management and auditors. Notify custody and Frequency: transfer agent of According to authorized dividend rates dividend policy in accordance with Board approved policy. Report dividends to Board as required. Calculate total X Provide SEC total return Review total return return information calculations via file to information. on Funds as defined BGI ftp site. in the current Registration Statement. Frequency: Monthly Calculate gross X Provide gross return Review gross return returns (SEC calculations. information. returns grossed up for expenses) Frequency: Monthly Prepare responses X X Prepare, coordinate as Identify the services to to major industry necessary, and submit which the Funds report. questionnaires. responses to the Provide information as appropriate agency. requested. Frequency: As often as necessary Prepare Independent X X N/A Summarize amounts paid Trustee Form to directors/trustees during 1099-Misc. the calendar year. Prepare and mail Form 1099-Misc. Frequency: Annually |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------ FINANCIAL REPORTING Prepare financial X X Prepare selected portfolio Review financial information for and financial information information. presentation to for inclusion in Board Fund management and material. Board of Trustees. Frequency: Quarterly Coordinate the X X Coordinate the creation of Provide past financial A - Perform audit and annual audit and templates reflecting client- statements and other issue opinion on annual semi-annual selected standardized information required to financial statements. preparation and appearance and text of create templates, including printing of financial statements and report style and graphics. A/C - Review reports. financial footnotes. Draft and Approve format and text statements and manage production cycle. as standard. Approve notes with Coordinate with IBT fund production cycle and management, fund accounting the electronic assist in managing to the accounting and the receipt of portfolio and cycle. Coordinate review Fund auditors. general ledger and approval by portfolio information. Assist in managers of portfolio Frequency: resolution of accounting listings to be included in Annually/semi-annually issues. Using templates, financial statements. draft financial statements, Prepare appropriate coordinate auditor and management letter and management review, and coordinate production of clear comments. Management Discussion Coordinate printing of and Analysis. Review and reports and EDGAR approve entire report. conversion with outside Make appropriate printer and filing with the representations in SEC via EDGAR. conjunction with audit. |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------ LEGAL Prepare agenda and X X Maintain annual calendar Review and approve board C - Review agenda, Board materials for of required quarterly and materials and board and resolutions, board material quarterly Board annual approvals. Prepare committee meeting and board and committee meetings. agenda, resolutions and minutes. meeting minutes. Ensure other Board materials for BOD material contains all Frequency: Quarterly quarterly Board meetings. required information that Prepare supporting the BOD must review and/ information and materials or approve to perform when necessary. their duties as directors. Assemble, check and distribute books in advance of meeting. Attend Board and committee meetings and prepare minutes. Prepare and file X X Prepare form for filing. Provide appropriate C - Review initial filing. Form N-SAR. Obtain any necessary responses. Review and A - Provide annual audit supporting documents. authorize filing. internal control letter to Frequency: File with SEC via accompany the annual Semi-annually EDGAR. filing. Prepare amendments X X Prepare and coordinate the Review and approve. C - Review and approve to Registration filing of post-effective filings. Statement. amendments. Coordinate A/C - Provide consents as with outside printers the appropriate. Frequency: Annual Edgar conversion, filing update (includes with the SEC and printing updating financial of Registration Statement. highlights, expense tables, ratios) Prepare X X Prepare Registration Review and approve. C - Review and approve Registration Statement supplements. filings. Statement File with the SEC via A/C - Provide consents as supplements. Edgar. Coordinate printing appropriate. of supplements. Frequency: As often as required Preparation and X Accumulate capital stock Review and approve C - Approve 24f-2 Notice. filing of 24f-2 information and draft filing. Notice. Form 24f-2 Notice. File A - Review informally approved Form with SEC when requested Frequency: Annually via Edgar. |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------ Proxy X X Prepare drafts of proxy Review and approve C - Review and approve Material/Shareholder material for review, file proxy. proxy. Meetings materials or coordinate filing with SEC and Frequency: As needed coordinate printing. Assist proxy solicitation firm and prepare scripts. Attend meeting and prepare minutes. Assist in updating X X Make annual filing of Obtain required fidelity of fidelity bond fidelity bond insurance bond insurance coverage. insurance coverage. material with the SEC. Monitor level of fidelity bond insurance maintained Frequency: Annually in accordance with required coverage. Respond to X X Compile and provide Coordinate with C - Provide consultation regulatory audits. documentation pursuant to regulatory auditors to as needed. audit requests. Assist provide requested Frequency: As client in resolution of documentation and needed (at least audit inquiries. resolutions to inquiries. annually) Maintain and X X Maintain and preserve the preserve the "corporate" records of the "corporate" records Funds (Trust) and the of each Fund and Master Portfolios (Trust). each Master Portfolio. Frequencey: On-going |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------ BLUE SKY Maintain effective X Maintain records of Fund Identify states in which C - Provide consultation Blue Sky sales for client designated filings are to be made. as needed on Blue Sky notification states via PW Blue2 Identify exempt issues. filings for states compliance system. File transactions to transfer in which Fund annual notification agent for appropriate C - Provide consultation management intends renewal documents and exclusion from blue sky on product and to solicit sales of annual sales reports. reporting. institutional exemptions. Fund shares. File amendments to increase dollar amounts authorized for sales by Funds, based upon client instruction. File notifications to states for new funds and/or classes, mergers and liquidations. Provide periodic reports on state authorization amounts and sales amounts. Determine state filing requirements by using CCH Blue Sky Law Reporter, ICI memoranda and state securities commission directives (both written and oral). File amendments to X File updated Registration Inform IBT of filings prior C - Provide consultation Registration Statements, supplements to SEC filing. as needed on Blue Sky Statement with the thereto, and annual reports filing issues. applicable state to shareholders, if securities required, upon approval/ commissions in authorization by client. coordination with SEC filing, if required. Frequency: Annual updates |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------ TAX Prepare income tax X X Calculate investment Provide transaction A - Provide consultation provisions. company taxable income, information as requested. as needed in establishing net tax exempt interest, Identify Passive Foreign positions to be taken in tax Frequency: Annually net capital gain and Investment Companies treatment of particular spillback dividend (PFICs). Approve tax issues. Perform review in requirements. Identify accounting positions to be conjunction with the year- book-tax accounting taken. Approve end audit. differences. Track provisions. required information relating to accounting differences. Calculate excise X X Calculate required Provide transaction A - Provide consultation tax distributions distributions to avoid information as requested. as needed in establishing imposition of excise tax. Identify PFICs. Approve positions to be taken in tax Frequency: Annually -Calculate capital gain tax accounting positions to treatment of particular net income and be taken. Review and issues. Review and concur foreign currency approve all income and with proposed gain/loss through distribution calculations, distributions per share. October 31. including projected -Calculate ordinary income and dividend income and shares. Approve distributions through distribution rates per share a specified cut off and aggregate amounts. date . Obtain Board approval -Project ordinary when required. income from cut off date to December 31. -Ascertain dividend shares. Identify book-tax accounting differences. Track required information relating to accounting differences. Coordinate review by management and Fund auditors. Notify custody |
Administrative Services to be Administrative Services not to Function Master Feeder provided by IBT Barclays Global Investors be provided by IBT -------- ------ ------ ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------------ and transfer agent of authorized dividend rates in accordance with Board approved policy. Report dividends to Board as required. Prepare tax returns X X Prepare excise and RIC Review and sign tax A - Review and sign tax tax returns. return. return as preparer. Frequency: Annually Prepare partnership return for Master. Prepare excise and RIC returns for domestic Feeder. Report partners' share of partnership income by preparing partners' Schedules K-1. Review tax returns and coordinate signature thereof with a Fund officer. Prepare Form 1099 X Obtain yearly distribution Review and approve information. Calculate information provided for Frequency: Annually 1099 reclasses and Form 1099. coordinate with transfer agent. Prepare other year-end X Obtain yearly income Review and approve tax-related disclosures distribution information. information provided. Calculate disclosures (i.e., Frequency: Annually dividend received deductions, foreign tax credits, tax-exempt income, income by jurisdiction) and coordinate with transfer agent. |
Appendix D - Key Performance Indicators
Service Category Task Criteria ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Fund Accounting Unit Value Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.8%. 2 Fund Accounting Unit Value Delivery Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 98% for CTFs and SLA plus 2 hours at rate of 98% for iShares and MIPs. 3 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.75% for CTFs and 99.7% for iShares and MIPs. 4 Fund Accounting Cash Projection Delivery Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. 5 TA Distributions Delivery Distributions will be processed into client's accounts, by Payable Date + 2, with no more than 4 exceptions per month. 6 IT Services SWIFT 535 and 950 Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 3 hours with no more than 4 messages and SEI Client exceptions per month per message type. Holdings and Transactions Report Delivery 7 Fund Accounting Unit Settlement Delivery Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 2 hours with no more than 4 exceptions per month.. 8 Fund Accounting PRV Accuracy Achieve an accuracy rate of at least 99.7%. 9 Corporate Actions Corporate Actions Achieve SLA requirements for these activities at an accuracy rate of 99%. Notification/Processing/ Posting for Vaulted Assets 10 TA Trade Wires Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA+1 hour at a rate of at least 99%. 11 TA MIP Order Flow Achieve a timeliness rate of SLA plus 2 hours at a rate of at least 99%. 12 Directed Loan Ops Securities Loan Movements Settlement percentage of 99%. |
Exhibit (h)(14)
AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT by and among BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A. ("BGI"), and INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY (the "Bank"), is effective as of January 1, 2007.
WHEREAS, BGI and Bank (together, the "Parties") entered into a Sub-Administration Agreement dated October 21, 1996, as amended from time to time (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Amendments.
(a)Section 6.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"6.1 Term and Termination.
(a) Term. The initial term of this Agreement has been October 21, 1996 through December 31, 2005 (the "Initial Term"). The first renewal term of this Agreement shall be January 1, 2006 through October 31, 2009 (the "First Renewal Term"). After the expiration of the First Renewal Term, the term of this Agreement shall automatically renew for a second renewal term which shall be November 1, 2009 through April 30, 2013 (the "Second Renewal Term"), unless written notice of non-renewal is delivered by BGI to the Bank no later than October 31, 2009. The Parties, upon mutual agreement no later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Second Renewal Term, may renew this Agreement for a one-year term, with the term of the Agreement to automatically renew for successive one-year terms thereafter (each, including the First Renewal Term and the Second Renewal Term, a "Renewal Term") unless notice of non-renewal is delivered by the non-renewing party to the other party no later than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of a Renewal Term other than the First Renewal Term or the Second Renewal Term.
(b) Termination. BGI may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Portfolio) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice in the form of Proper Instructions specifying the date upon which termination is to occur ("Termination Notice") in the event that a conservator or receiver is appointed for the Bank in accordance with 12 USC (S)1821(c) or similar and successor provisions.
(c) Further Termination. BGI may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part (for example, as to any Portfolio) prior to the expiration of any Renewal Term in the event:
(i) that the Bank fails to meet the criteria defined in each of six
(6) separate Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs"), each for four
consecutive months, in any rolling twelve month period. For
avoidance of doubt, this right shall only apply if the failure by
the Bank to meet the Service Level as defined in the relevant KPI
is not (a) the result of force majeure, (b) caused by BGI or a
direct result of a specific request by BGI, (c) a direct result
of a specific request by a duly authorized agent of BGI,
(d) caused by a third party other than an agent of the Bank or
(e) the result of an agreement by the Parties;
(ii) of a material breach of a material provision of the Agreement;
(iii)the Boards of the Portfolios vote to liquidate the Portfolios and terminate the Portfolios' respective registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission other than in connection with a merger or acquisition of the Portfolios or the Portfolios' investment adviser;
(iv) BGI terminates its Custodial, Fund Accounting and Services Agreement (as amended) with the Bank pursuant to the fiduciary capacity provision in Section 13.1(b)(ii) of such agreement; or
(v) BGI may terminate this Agreement if the Administration Agreement between BGI and MIP and the Administration Agreement between BGI and BGIF are terminated and no successor agreements between BGI and MIP and/or BGIF for the provision of administrative services are subsequently executed within 90 days after the termination of the Administration Agreement between BGI and MIP and the Administration Agreement between BGI and BGIF;
provided that BGI shall not exercise its rights under subsections
(c)(i) or (ii) above unless BGI has first provided written notice to
the Bank of its intent to terminate under such subsection, and the
Bank: (x) does not present a plan to remedy or cure the KPI or breach
that is reasonably acceptable to BGI, which plan will be provided as
soon as practicable, and in any event not later than ten (10) days
after such notice, and (y) has not made substantial progress toward
curing or remedying that KPI or breach in all material respects to
the reasonable satisfaction of BGI, within thirty (30) days of
presenting such plan to BGI.
(d) BGI shall advise the Bank of any service level, practice, policy, circumstance or any breach by the Bank of which it becomes aware from time to time that, if unaddressed, would permit the termination of the Agreement under any of the bases set forth in this Section 6.1.
(e) At any time after the termination of this Agreement, BGI may, upon written request, have reasonable access to the records of Sub-Administrator relating to its performance of its duties as Sub-Administrator."
2. Miscellaneous.
a) Except as amended hereby, the Sub-Administration Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
b) This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A. INVESTORS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Michael Latham /s/ Michael Rogers ------------------------------ By: ------------------------------ Name: Michael Latham Name: Michael Rogers Title: Managing Director Title: President By: /s/ Jack Gee ------------------------------ Name: Jack Gee Title: Principal |
Exhibit (h)(15)
iShares, Inc.
iShares Trust
Master Investment Portfolio
Barclays Global Investors Funds
Master Fee Schedule
Effective January 1, 2006
A. CUSTODY, FUND ACCOUNTING, MUTUAL FUND ADMINISTRATION and INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER AGENCY
. The following basis point fee is based on the complex assets of the Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP"), iShares Inc. and iShares Trust (excluding the assets of: the five "LifePath MIPs", which include MIP LifePath Retirement, MIP LifePath 2010, MIP LifePath 2020, MIP LifePath 2030, and MIP LifePath 2040).
Domestic Assets Annual Fee (Basis Points) --------------- ------------------------- (less than)=$100 billion .8 $101-$150 billion .4 $151-$200 billion .3 $201-$300 billion .2 (greater than)$300 billion .1 |
B. Fund Accounting and Administration on each BGI Feeder Fund:
Fee waived for BGIF feeders.
C. Fund Accounting and Administration on each of the 5 LifePath Funds:
Fee waived for 5 LifePath Funds.
D. Transfer Agency Fee:
Fee waived for BGI share classes.
TRANSACTION COSTS
A. Transactions*
FOREIGN SUBCUSTODY
A. Foreign Subcustodian Fees
. Incremental basis point and transaction fees will be charged for all foreign assets for which the Bank is custodian. The asset based fees and transaction fees vary by country (see Appendix A). Local duties, script fees, reclaims, registration, exchange fees, and other market charges are out-of-pocket.
. The Bank will require the funds to hold all international assets at the subcustodian of our choice.
. The Bank will reduce by 10% total global subcustodian asset-based fees for all assets held by the iShares and MIP at such time as the iShares global assets reach an average of $150 billion for one month.
MISCELLANEOUS
A. Domestic Balance Credit
. We allow use of balance credit against fees (excluding out-of-pocket charges) for fund balances arising out of the custody relationship. The monthly earnings allowance is equal to 75% of the 90-day T-bill rate.
B. Payment
. Fees owed to the Bank under this fee schedule will be netted against and deducted from the funds' advisory and administration fees otherwise payable to BGI on the first business day of each month. All fees will be invoiced monthly.
C. Pricing Services
. See Appendix B
D. Out-of-Pocket
These charges consist of:
. Pricing & Verification Services . Global Sub-Custodian Out-of-Pocket
. NSCC Charges . Vestek Expenses
. Index Provider Fees
E. Create/Redemption Fees
The Bank shall charge Authorized Participants the create and redemption fees set forth in Appendix C.
Agreed to and accepted as of January 1, 2006:
Barclays Global Investors, N.A.
By: /s/ Lee Kranefuss --------------------------- Name/Title: Lee Kranefuss, Managing Director By: /s/ Raman Suri --------------------------- Name/Title: Raman Suri, Principal |
Investors Bank & Trust Company
By: /s/ Michael Rogers --------------------------- Name/Title: Michael F. Rogers, President |
Appendix A Global Custody Fees Transaction Charge per Basis Transaction Trade for Points for Charge per Securities Country Safekeeping Trade Lending ------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Argentina 12.00 $ 25.00 $ 25.00 Australia 2.00 $ 40.00 $ 25.00 Austria 3.00 $ 35.00 $ 35.00 Belgium 2.00 $ 35.00 $ 35.00 Brazil 16.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 Canada 1.00 $ 16.00 $ 16.00 Chile 45.00 $100.00 $100.00 China, Shanghai 4.00 $ 75.00 $ 75.00 China, Shenzhen 4.00 $ 75.00 $ 75.00 Clearstream 2.50 $ 20.00 $ 20.00 Colombia 27.00 $140.00 $140.00 Czech Republic 22.00 $ 75.00 $ 75.00 Denmark 1.50 $ 35.00 $ 35.00 Euroclear 2.00 $ 20.00 $ 20.00 Finland 3.50 $ 38.00 $ 38.00 France 1.75 $ 35.00 $ 22.00 Germany 1.25 $ 16.00 $ 16.00 Greece 15.00 $ 75.00 $ 75.00 Hong Kong 1.25 $ 52.00 $ 52.00 Hungary 30.00 $100.00 $100.00 India 15.00 $120.00 $120.00 Indonesia 13.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 Ireland 3.50 $ 43.00 $ 43.00 Israel 12.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 Italy 1.50 $ 24.00 $ 24.00 Japan 0.75 $ 11.00 $ 11.00 Jordan 30.00 $ 90.00 $ 90.00 Korea 8.00 $ 42.00 $ 42.00 Malaysia 6.50 $ 55.00 $ 55.00 Mexico 5.50 $ 22.00 $ 22.00 Netherlands 1.50 $ 17.00 $ 17.00 New Zealand 1.50 $ 48.00 $ 48.00 Norway 2.00 $ 35.00 $ 35.00 Pakistan 30.00 $ 80.00 $ 80.00 Peru 30.00 $ 90.00 $ 90.00 Philippines 9.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 Poland 25.00 $ 75.00 $ 75.00 Portugal 16.00 $ 71.00 $ 71.00 |
Transaction Charge per Basis Points Transaction Trade for for Charge per Securities Country Safekeeping Trade Lending ------- ------------ ----------- ----------- Singapore 5.00 $ 46.00 $ 46.00 South Africa 4.00 $ 30.00 $ 30.00 Spain 2.00 $ 20.00 $ 6.00 Sri Lanka 20.00 $ 65.00 $ 65.00 Sweden 1.75 $ 29.00 $ 29.00 Switzerland 2.00 $ 31.00 $ 31.00 Taiwan 11.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00 Thailand 8.00 $ 47.00 $ 47.00 Turkey 10.00 $ 45.00 $ 45.00 United Kingdom 0.75 $ 19.00 $ 19.00 Zimbabwe 50.00 $ 160.00 $160.00 |
International Fixed Income Euroclear Countries
Austria France Ireland Belgium Germany Italy Finland Greece Luxembourg |
Appendix B
Valuation Pricing
IBT will provide valuation pricing services to BGI accounts, allocating the costs as follows:
Lehman Salomon Bridge Data Data Data ------ ------- ------ BGI MIPs $1,500 $0 $100 BGI iShares Inc $ 0 $0 $ 0 BGI iShares Trust $4,600 $0 $400 |
Swaps Pricing - $1.00 per business day per swap, regardless of how frequently the swaps are actually valued. Approximate charge of $250 per swap per year.
Base pricing will be allocated between the master funds in each group on a pro-rata basis.
Lehman, Salomon and Bridge pricing will be allocated between the master funds in each group that would utilize the specific data feed, on a pro-rata basis.
Allocations will be adjusted within each group on a monthly basis as the number of affected funds changes.
This schedule will be revised to re-allocate costs between fund groups annually.
Billing and payment procedures will be in accordance with procedures already established for each fund group.
Appendix C: Creation and Redemption Broker Fee Schedule (effective as of May 1, 2006)
Fund Name Fee --------- ------- iSHARES EUROPE 350 $12,000 iSHARES GLOBAL 100 $ 2,000 iSHARES MSCI EAFE GROWTH $12,800 iSHARES MSCI EAFE INDEX $15,000 iSHARES MSCI EAFE VALUE $13,200 iSHARES S&P LAT AMER 40 $ 450 iSHARES TOPIX 150 $ 3,000 iSHARES GLOBAL ENERGY $ 600 iSHARES GLOBAL FINANCIAL $ 4,200 iSHARES GLOBAL HEALTH $ 700 iSHARES GLOBAL TELECOM $ 900 iSHARES GLOBAL TECH $ 1,400 iSHARES CHINA 25 $ 1,300 iSHARES DOW BASIC MAT $ 500 iSHARES DOW CONS SERVICES $ 500 iSHARES DOW CONS GOODS $ 500 iSHARES DOW ENERGY $ 500 iSHARES DOW FINANCIAL SVC $ 500 iSHARES DOW FINANCIAL SECTOR $ 500 iSHARES DOW HLTHCARE $ 500 iSHARES DOW INDUSTRIALS $ 500 iSHARES DOW REAL ESTATE $ 500 iSHARES DOW TECH $ 500 iSHARES DOW TOT MKT $ 500 iSHARES DOW UTILITIES $ 500 iSHARES DOW TELECOM $ 250 iSHARES DOW US TRANSPORT $ 250 iSHARES DJ SELECT DIV $ 250 iSHARES 1-3 TREASURY -- iSHARES 7-10 TREASURY -- iSHARES 20+ -- iSHARES GS $INVESTOP $ 500 iSHARES LEHMAN AGG $ 500 iSHARES LEHMAN TIPS -- iSHARES MSCI AUSTRALIA $ 2,400 iSHARES MSCI AUSTRIA $ 600 iSHARES MSCI BELGIUM $ 700 iSHARES MSCI BRAZIL $ 2,400 iSHARES MSCI CANADA $ 1,900 iSHARES MSCI EMU $ 8,000 iSHARES MSCI FRANCE $ 2,900 iSHARES MSCI GERMANY $ 1,500 iSHARES MSCI HONG KONG $ 2,000 iSHARES MSCI ITALY $ 1,400 iSHARES MSCI JAPAN $ 5,000 iSHARES MSCI MALAYSIA $ 5,000 iSHARES MSCI MEXICO $ 1,400 iSHARES MSCI NETHERLANDS $ 1,000 iSHARES MSCI PAC EX-JAPAN $ 6,000 iSHARES MSCI SINGAPORE $ 2,000 iSHARES MSCI SOUTH KOREA $ 4,000 iSHARES MSCI SPAIN $ 1,500 iSHARES MSCI SWEDEN $ 1,300 iSHARES MSCI SWITZERLAND $ 1,500 iSHARES MSCI TAIWAN $ 4,500 iSHARES MSCI UK $ 3,500 iSHARES MSCI SOUTH AFRICA $ 1,200 iSHARES MSCI EMF $ 7,700 iSHARES S&P 100 $ 500 iSHARES S&P MID 400 $ 500 iSHARES S&P 400 GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES S&P 400 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES S&P 500 $ 500 iSHARES S&P 500 GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES S&P 500 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES S&P 600 $ 500 iSHARES S&P 600 GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES S&P 600 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES S&P 1500 $ 500 iSHARES C&S REALTY MAJOR $ 250 iSHARES NASDAQ BIO $ 350 iSHARES GSTI $ 500 iSHARES GS NETWORKING $ 200 iSHARES GS SEMICONDUCTOR $ 250 iSHARES GS SOFTWARE $ 250 iSHARES GS NAT RES $ 500 iSHARES NYSE COMPOSITE $ 500 iSHARES NYSE 100 INDEX $ 500 iSHARES KLD SELECT SOCIAL $ 500 iSHARES M* LARGE CORE $ 300 iSHARES M* LARGE GROWTH $ 300 iSHARES M* LARGE VALUE $ 300 iSHARES M* MID CORE $ 500 iSHARES M* MID GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES M* MID VALUE $ 500 iSHARES M* SMALL CORE $ 500 iSHARES M* SMALL GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES M* SMALL VALUE $ 500 iSHARES RS MID VALUE $ 500 iSHARES RS MID GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES RS MIP CAP $ 500 iSHARES RUSSELL MICRO $ 500 iSHARES R 3000 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES R 3000 GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES R 3000 $ 500 iSHARES R 2000 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES R 2000 GROWTH $ 500 iSHARES R 2000 $ 500 iSHARES R 1000 VALUE $ 500 iSHARES R 1000 GRWTH $ 500 iSHARES R 1000 $ 500 |
Exhibit (h)(19)
SECURITIES LENDING AGENCY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of April 2, 2007, between Barclays Global Investors Funds, a Delaware statutory trust ( the "Trust"), acting on behalf of the funds listed on Schedule A hereto and any future series or portfolio of the Trust (each, a "Fund"), and Barclays Global Investors, N.A., a national banking association ("BGI").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, desires to appoint BGI as its agent for the purpose of lending Securities in the Account (as defined below) as more fully set forth below; and
WHEREAS, BGI has agreed to act as the Trust's agent for such purpose pursuant to the terms hereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
1.1 "Account" shall mean the custodial account or accounts established and maintained by the Custodian on behalf of each Fund for the safekeeping of Securities and monies of the Fund from time to time.
1.2 "Approved Investment" shall mean any type of investment permitted for Cash Collateral under the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.3 "Authorized Person" shall be any officer of the Trust and any other person, whether or not any such person is an officer or employee of the Trust, duly authorized by resolutions of the Trust to give Oral Instructions and/or Written Instructions on behalf of the Trust, such persons to be designated in a Certificate which contains a specimen signature of such person.
1.4 "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering Government Securities (as defined herein), its successors or equivalent and nominees.
1.5 "Borrower" shall mean any entity which is permitted to borrow Securities from the Trust pursuant to then applicable law, regulation, and/or interpretation and pursuant to the Securities Lending Guidelines, and which has a valid Securities Lending Agreement in place with BGI.
1.6 "Business Day" shall mean, with respect to a Fund for which Securities loans are outstanding pursuant to this Agreement, a day on which both such Fund and BGI are open for business.
1.7 "Cash Collateral" shall mean either Fed funds or New York Clearing House funds or their equivalent if denominated in U.S. dollars, or the equivalent if the Cash Collateral is denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, as applicable for a particular loan of Securities.
1.8 "Certificate" shall mean any notice, instruction, schedule or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to BGI, which is actually received by BGI and signed on behalf of the Trust by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by BGI to be an Authorized Person.
1.9 "Collateral" shall mean Cash Collateral, Government Securities and Letters of Credit, plus such other collateral as may be then permitted by applicable law, regulation and/or interpretation, and the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.10 "Collateral Account" shall mean a segregated account or accounts established and maintained by the Custodian for the purpose of holding Collateral and Approved Investments, and interest, dividends and other payments and distributions received with respect to Collateral and Approved Investments ("Distributions"). A Collateral Account may include a joint account as permitted by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.11 "Custodian" shall mean Investors Bank & Trust Company, a trust company organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or such other company that may from time to time be retained as custodian by the Trust with respect to one or more Funds.
1.12 "Depository" shall mean the Depository Trust Company, Euroclear, and any other securities depository, sub-depository or clearing agency (and their respective successors and nominees) authorized under applicable law or regulation to act as a securities depository, sub-depository or clearing agency, including any foreign securities depository or sub-depository for the Trust.
1.13 "Earnings Account" shall mean a segregated account established and maintained by the Custodian for the purpose of receiving any Securities Loan Fee paid by Borrowers in connection with Securities loans hereunder.
1.14 "Government Security" shall mean book-entry Treasury securities (as defined in Subpart 0 of Treasury Department Circular No. 300, 31 C.F.R. 306) and any other securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government.
1.15 "Letter of Credit" shall mean an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit in favor of BGI as agent for the Fund issued by a bank other than the Borrower, the creditworthiness of which has been deemed to be acceptable by BGI and which meets any applicable requirements in the Securities Lending Guidelines.
1.16 "Oral Instructions" shall mean verbal instructions actually received by BGI from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by BGI to be an Authorized Person.
1.17 "Rebate" shall mean the amount payable by the Fund to a Borrower in connection with Securities loans at any time collateralized by Cash Collateral.
1.18 "Securities Lending Agreement" shall mean with respect to any Borrower, the agreement pursuant to which BGI lends securities on behalf of its customers (including the Fund) to such Borrower, as amended from time to time, which agreement shall meet any applicable requirements in the Securities Lending Guidelines. The Securities Lending Agreement may be in the form of a master agreement covering a series of Securities lending transactions from multiple lenders, including the Trust.
1.19 "Securities Lending Guidelines" shall mean guidelines governing the Trust's Securities lending program adopted by the Trust and provided to BGI from time to time. The Securities Lending Guidelines may address any aspect of the Trust's Securities lending program, including without limitation the kinds of Securities that may be lent, permissible forms of Collateral, permissible Approved Investments, the selection of Borrowers, and regular reporting to the Trust.
1.20 "Securities Loan Fee" shall mean the amount payable by a Borrower to BGI, as agent for the Fund, pursuant to the applicable Securities Lending Agreement in connection with Securities loans, if any, collateralized by Collateral other than Cash Collateral.
1.21 "Security" shall mean any Government Securities, non-U.S. securities, U.S. common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures, corporate debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any certificates, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, which are available for lending pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
1.22 "Written Instructions" shall mean written communications actually received by BGI from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by BGI to be an Authorized Person by letter, memorandum, telegram, cable, telex, telecopy facsimile, computer, video (CRT) terminal or other on-line system, or any other method whereby BGI is able to verify with a reasonable degree of certainty the identity of the sender.
2. Appointment; Scope of Agency Authority.
2.1 Appointment. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, hereby appoints BGI as its agent to lend Securities in the Account to Borrowers from time to time as hereinafter set forth, and BGI hereby accepts appointment as such agent and agrees to so act.
2.2 Securities Subject to Lending. Unless the Trust provides BGI Written Instructions to the contrary, all Securities maintained in the Account shall be available for lending pursuant to this Agreement.
2.3 Securities Lending Agreement.
(a) Attached hereto as Exhibit A are the standard forms of Securities Lending Agreements in effect between BGI and the Borrowers as of the date hereof. BGI shall provide the Trust with any proposed material amendments or changes, and notify the Trust of any such amendments or changes, to any form of Securities Lending Agreement to be used prior to their effectiveness. The Trust may elect, without penalty, to terminate any Borrower if it opposes the change.
(b) BGI is hereby authorized to lend Securities in the Account to Borrowers pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreements, this Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines.
2.4 Loan Opportunities. The Trust on behalf of each Fund acknowledges and agrees that BGI shall have the right to decline to make any loans of Securities under any Securities Lending Agreement, to discontinue lending or to terminate any loans of Securities under any Securities Lending Agreement in its sole discretion. The Trust on behalf of each Fund agrees that it shall have no claim against BGI based on, or relating to, loans made for other customers, or loan opportunities refused hereunder, whether or not BGI has made fewer or more loans for any other customer than for the Fund, and whether or not any loan for another customer, or the opportunity refused, could have resulted in loans made hereunder.
2.5 Use of Book-Entry System and Depositories. The Trust on behalf of each Fund hereby authorizes BGI on a continuous and on-going basis, to deposit in the Book-Entry System and any Depositories all Securities eligible for deposit therein and to utilize the Book-Entry System and Depositories to the extent possible in connection with its receipt and delivery of Securities, Collateral, Approved Investments and monies under this Agreement. Where Securities, Collateral (other than Cash Collateral) and Approved Investments eligible for deposit in the Book-Entry System or a Depository are transferred to the Account, BGI shall identify or cause to be identified as belonging to the Fund a quantity of securities in a fungible bulk of securities shown on BGI's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the applicable Depository. Securities, Collateral and Approved Investments deposited in the Book-Entry System or a Depository will be commingled in accounts which include assets held by BGI for customers, including but not limited to accounts in which BGI acts in a fiduciary or agency capacity, as well as assets held by or on behalf of other clients or participants of the Book-Entry System or Depository.
2.6 Use of Third-Party Service Providers. The Trust on behalf of each Fund
hereby acknowledges and agrees that BGI may utilize third-party service
providers to perform or analyze the functions described herein, including
service providers in which BGI may have an ownership interest. As permitted by
Section 5.8 below, these services may require the transmission, use or sharing
of data created in Securities lending transactions involving the Funds. BGI
shall bear the cost of any such service providers out of its portion of the
proceeds from Securities lending.
3. Representations and Warranties.
3.1 Trust's Representations. The Trust hereby represents and warrants to BGI, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing and to be reaffirmed on any day that a Securities loan hereunder is outstanding, that:
(a) This Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines have been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust; this Agreement is, and, if properly entered into under the terms of this Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines, each Securities loan and Approved Investment will be, legally and validly entered into by the Trust on behalf of each Fund, does not, and will not, violate any statute, regulation, rule, order or judgment binding on the Fund, or any provision of the Trust's charter or by-laws, or any agreement binding on the Trust or affecting its property, and is enforceable against the Trust and each Fund in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or by equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally;
(b) The person executing this Agreement and all Authorized Persons acting on behalf of the Trust or any Fund has and have been duly and properly authorized to do so;
(c) Each Fund is lending Securities as principal for its own account and it will not transfer, assign or encumber its interest in, or rights with respect to, any Securities loans;
(d) All Securities available for lending pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement are free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances that would preclude their being lent as contemplated by this Agreement. The Trust shall promptly notify BGI in the manner agreed between the parties from time to time when any Securities are no longer subject to the representations contained in this sub-paragraph (d).
3.2 BGI's Representations. BGI hereby represents and warrants to the Trust, which representations and warranties shall be deemed to be continuing and to be reaffirmed on any day that a Securities loan hereunder is outstanding, that:
(a) This Agreement is legally and validly entered into by BGI, does not and will not, violate any statute, regulation, rule, order or, judgment binding on BGI, or any provision of BGI's charter or by-laws, or any agreement binding on BGI or affecting its property, and is enforceable against BGI in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws, or by equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally;
(b) Both the person executing this Agreement on behalf of BGI and all persons acting on BGI's behalf pursuant to this Agreement have been duly and properly authorized to do so; and
(c) It will comply with all laws, rules and regulations, including without limitation the conditions of any exemptive orders granted to the Trust by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to securities lending transactions, if required, applicable to the Securities lending transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4. Securities Lending Transactions.
4.1 Compliance with Securities Lending Guidelines. BGI hereby acknowledges receipt of the current Securities Lending Guidelines. The Trust shall promptly notify BGI of any changes to the Securities Lending Guidelines. BGI acknowledges and agrees that it shall only lend Securities on behalf of the Funds in accordance with the conditions of the Securities Lending Guidelines applicable to the Funds' lending agent.
4.2 Loan Initiation. From time to time BGI may lend Securities to Borrowers and deliver such Securities against receipt of Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines. If instructed by the Trust in writing, BGI shall refrain from lending a particular Security or from making loans to a particular Borrower.
4.3 Receipt of Collateral; Approved Investments.
(a) With respect to any Securities loan entered into on behalf of a Fund, BGI shall require that the Borrower deliver and maintain collateral that is equal at all times during the term of the loan to at least the market value of the Securities loaned and any accrued interest thereon. If Cash Collateral is received, BGI is hereby authorized and directed, without obtaining any further approval from the Fund, to invest and reinvest all or substantially all of the Cash Collateral received in any Approved Investments, including in the name of and on behalf of the Fund to redeem, withdraw or sell the same, and to receive distributions in the name of and on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the Securities Lending Guidelines. The Trust hereby agrees to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions reasonably requested by BGI in order to permit BGI to so act with regard to Approved Investments. BGI shall instruct the Custodian to credit all Collateral, Approved Investments and Distributions received with respect to Collateral and Approved Investments to the Collateral Account and mark its books and records to identify the Fund's ownership thereof as appropriate.
(b) All Approved Investments shall be for the account and risk of the Fund. To the extent any loss arising out of Approved Investments results in a deficiency in the amount of Collateral available for return to a Borrower pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreement, the Fund agrees to pay BGI on demand cash in an amount equal to such deficiency.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, all Collateral, Approved Investments and Distributions credited to the Collateral Account shall be controlled by, and subject only to the instructions of, BGI, and BGI shall not be required to comply with any instructions of the Trust with respect to the same.
4.4 Distributions on Loaned Securities. Except as provided in the next sentence, all amounts received from the Borrower equivalent to all interest, dividends, and other distributions which the owner of the loaned Securities is entitled to receive shall be credited to the Fund's Account on the date such amounts are delivered by the Borrower to the Custodian. Any non-cash distribution on loaned Securities which is in the nature of a stock split or a stock dividend shall be added to the applicable loan (and shall be considered to constitute loaned Securities) as of the date such non-cash distribution is declared payable whether or not it has been received by the Borrower, provided that any such addition shall be conditional upon the actual receipt of such
non-cash distribution and may be reversed by the Custodian to the extent that such non-cash distribution is not received.
4.5 Mark to Market. BGI shall on each Business Day mark to market in U.S. dollars the value of all Collateral (other than Cash Collateral) and Securities loaned hereunder and accordingly receive and release Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
4.6 Collateral Substitutions. BGI may accept substitutions of Collateral in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement and the Securities Lending Guidelines and shall credit all such substitutions to the Collateral Account; provided, however, that unless other Collateral has been mutually agreed upon in writing by BGI and the Fund (including by means of the Securities Lending Guidelines), no other Collateral may be substituted for Cash Collateral.
4.7 Termination of Loans. In addition to BGI's authority to terminate a loan of Securities pursuant to the terms of the applicable Securities Lending Agreement as described in Section 2.4 above, BGI shall terminate any Securities loan to a Borrower in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement promptly:
(a) upon receipt by BGI of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions instructing it to terminate a Securities loan; provided that the Trust may require that each Security must be returned to the Fund by no later than the date which is the standard settlement date for trades of such Security entered into on the date such Oral Instruction or Written Instruction is received by BGI;
(b) upon receipt by BGI of Oral Instructions or Written Instructions pursuant to the Securities Lending Guidelines to no longer lend to a particular Borrower;
(c) upon receipt of written notice from the Trust terminating this Agreement with respect to one or more Funds in accordance with Section 6; or
(d) as contemplated by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
4.8 Securities Loan Fee. BGI shall receive any applicable Securities Loan Fee paid by any Borrower pursuant to a Securities Lending Agreement and credit all such amounts received to the Earnings Account.
4.9 Borrower's Financial Condition. BGI has delivered to Barclays Global Fund Advisors, the investment adviser to the portfolios of Master Investment Portfolio in which the Funds invest their assets, each Borrower's most recent statements required to be furnished to customers by Rule 17a-5(c) of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as have been made available to BGI pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreements. BGI shall promptly deliver to any investment adviser for the Funds all statements and financial information subsequently delivered to BGI and required to be furnished to BGI under the Securities Lending Agreements.
4.10 Transfer Taxes and Necessary Costs. All transfer taxes and necessary costs with respect to the transfer of the loaned Securities by the Fund to the Borrower and the Borrower to
the Fund upon the termination of the loan shall be paid by the Borrower in accordance with the applicable Securities Lending Agreement.
4.11 BGI's Obligation. Except as specifically set forth herein, or in any applicable Securities Lending Agreement, BGI shall have no duty or obligation to take action to effect payment by a Borrower of any amounts owed by such Borrower pursuant to the Securities Lending Agreement.
4.12 Loans to Affiliated Borrowers. The Trust and BGI have obtained an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that permits BGI to lend Securities on behalf of the Funds to Affiliated Borrowers, provided that such loans are made in accordance with the conditions and procedures outlined in the exemptive order. BGI shall only make loans to Affiliated Borrowers in accordance with such conditions and procedures, as they may be amended from time to time, and only so long as they remain applicable, and in accordance with the Securities Lending Guidelines.
5. Concerning BGI.
5.1 Standard of Care: Indemnification.
(a) It is expressly understood and agreed that in exercising its rights and performing its obligations hereunder, BGI owes no fiduciary duty to the Fund. BGI shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys and accountants fees) incurred by the Fund, except to the extent those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims result from BGI's material breach of this Agreement or BGI's negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.
Neither the Trust nor BGI shall have any obligation hereunder for costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable attorneys and accountants fees), which are sustained or incurred by reason of any action or inaction by the Book-Entry System or any Depository or their respective successors or nominees. In no event shall either party be liable to the other for special, punitive or consequential damages, arising under or in connection with this Agreement, even if previously informed of the possibility of such damages.
(b) The Trust on behalf of each Fund agrees to indemnify BGI and to hold it harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which BGI may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against BGI by reason of or as a result of any action taken or omitted by BGI in connection with or arising out of BGI's operating under and in compliance with this Agreement, except those costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims arising out of BGI's negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. Actions taken or omitted in reasonable reliance upon Oral Instructions or Written Instructions, any Certificate, or upon any information, order, indenture, stock certificate, power of attorney, assignment, affidavit or other instrument reasonably believed by BGI to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons reasonably believed by BGI to be genuine or bearing the signature of a person or persons reasonably believed to be authorized to sign, countersign or execute the same, shall be presumed to have been taken or omitted in good faith.
(c) BGI shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each Fund, its Board of Trustees and its agents, Barclays Global Fund Advisors and any investment adviser for the Funds from any and all loss, liability, costs, damages, actions, and claims ("Loss") to the extent that any such Loss arises out of the material breach of this Agreement by or negligent acts or omissions, bad faith or willful misconduct of BGI, its officers, directors or employees or any of its agents or subcustodians in connection with the Securities lending activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, provided that BGI's indemnification obligation with respect to the acts or omissions of its subcustodians shall not exceed the indemnification provided by the applicable subcustodian to BGI. The Fund and/or Trust may obtain indemnification against losses due to a Borrower default from a third party, including from an affiliate of BGI. BGI is not a party to any such arrangement.
5.2 No Obligation to Inquire. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, BGI shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for, the validity of the issue of any Securities at any time held in the Account or Approved Investments held in the Collateral Account.
5.3 Advice of Counsel. BGI may, with respect to questions of law, apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel which may be counsel to the Trust, provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed to be a waiver by the Trust of any conflict of such counsel.
5.4 No Collection Obligations. BGI shall be under no obligation or duty to take action to effect collection from the issuer of any amounts payable in respect of Securities or Approved Investments if the issuer of such Securities or Approved Investments is in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentation.
5.5 Pricing Methods. BGI is authorized to utilize any recognized pricing information service or any other means of valuation specified in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement ("Pricing Methods") in order to perform its valuation responsibilities with respect to loaned Securities, Collateral and Approved Investments, and the Fund agrees to hold BGI harmless from and against any loss or damage suffered or incurred as a result of errors or omissions of any such Pricing Methods.
5.6 BGI's Fee as Securities Lending Agent, etc.
(a) In connection with each Securities loan hereunder, the Fund shall, subject to Section 5.6(c), pay to BGI a percentage (the "BGI Fee Percentage") of the net amount earned from Securities lending activities, consisting of income earned on the investment and reinvestment of Cash Collateral plus any Securities Loan Fees otherwise paid by the Borrowers. The net amount to be paid to BGI shall be computed after deducting any rebate due to the Borrowers under the applicable Securities Lending Agreement with the Borrowers. The BGI Fee Percentage shall be such percentage as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Board of the Trust and BGI and shall be set forth in writing. As of the date of this Agreement, the BGI Fee Percentage is fifty percent (50%).
(b) BGI is authorized on a monthly basis to charge the fee owed to it by a Fund under this paragraph 5.6 against the applicable Collateral Account or Earnings Account. Such
fee shall be charged and paid at the end of each month. Subject to
Section 5.6(c), BGI shall simultaneously therewith direct the Custodian to pay
to the applicable Fund the net amount earned from Securities lending
activities, as described in Section 5.6(a), that is not paid to BGI as its fee.
(c) BGI shall be responsible for all transaction fees and all other operational costs relating to Securities lending activities, other than extraordinary expenses (e.g., litigation and indemnification expenses). In the event that a Fund directly or indirectly bears all or a portion of any fees and expenses payable to BGI, BGFA or any other affiliate of BGI as a result of the investment of Cash Collateral in any joint account, fund or similar vehicle, such fees and expenses (other than extraordinary expenses) thereof borne by the Fund, as computed at least monthly by BGI or its designee, shall, without limitation, be deemed a transaction fee or other operational cost for which BGI shall be responsible.
5.7 Reliance on Certificates and Instructions. The Trust agrees to furnish to BGI a new Certificate whenever any then Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or additional Authorized Persons are appointed and authorized. BGI shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any Certificate, any information contained on any schedule hereto as may be amended in accordance with the terms hereof, and any Written or Oral Instruction actually received by BGI and reasonably believed by BGI to be duly authorized and delivered. The Trust agrees to forward to BGI Written Instructions confirming Oral Instructions in such manner so that such Written Instructions are received by BGI by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to BGI. The Trust agrees that the fact that such confirming Written Instructions are not received on a timely basis or that contrary instructions are received by BGI shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the transactions authorized by the Trust. BGI shall use reasonable efforts to report any subsequently received contrary instructions. In this regard, the records of BGI shall be presumed to reflect accurately any Oral Instructions given by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by BGI to be an Authorized Person.
5.8 Disclosure of Information. BGI may not disclose or supply any information regarding the Trust or Fund unless required by any law or governmental regulation now or hereafter in effect or requested to do so by Trust; provided that BGI may disclose or supply information regarding the Trust and/or Fund and any transactions authorized by this Agreement as necessary in the sole discretion of BGI in order to facilitate, effect or continue any Securities loans hereunder or to assist in the analysis of the performance of the Securities lending program.
5.9 Reports. BGI shall furnish the Trust and the Fund with reports relating to loans hereunder and other information requested by the Trust and shall provide such reports to the Trust's Board of Trustees upon request or as may be required by the Securities Lending Guidelines.
5.10 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall a party to this Agreement be liable to the other party or any third party for losses resulting from (i) any acts of God, fires, floods, or other disturbances of nature, epidemics, strikes, riots, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, terrorist activity, or insurrection, or (ii) other happenings or events beyond the reasonable control or anticipation of
the party affected, provided that (A) the affected party has in place appropriate business continuity procedures, systems and facilities and (B) the affected party uses its best efforts to avoid or remove the cause of such losses.
5.11 No Implied Duties.
(a) BGI shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and in the applicable Securities Lending Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against BGI in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Neither the Trust nor any Fund shall have any duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Trust or any Fund in connection with this Agreement.
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall be understood to imply that in performing the functions described herein, BGI is acting in the capacity of an investment adviser or is providing advice as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities.
6. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to one or more Funds by either party upon delivery to the other party of a written notice specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than 60 days after the date of receipt of such notice. Both parties shall take all commercially reasonable steps to cooperate to provide a smooth transition in the event of a termination. Notwithstanding any such notice, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect with respect to any loans of Securities that remain outstanding as of the date of termination; provided, however, that BGI shall promptly terminate all loans of Securities made pursuant to this Agreement and shall not make any further loans of Securities pursuant this Agreement.
7. Miscellaneous.
7.1 Exclusivity. During the term of this Agreement, the Trust agrees that it shall not enter into any other agreement with any third party whereby such third party is permitted to make loans on behalf of any Fund of any Securities held by BGI in the Account from time to time; provided, however, that nothing in this provision shall prevent the Trust from terminating this Agreement and/or hiring a securities lending agent other than BGI. The parties agree that this provision does not prohibit the Trust from maintaining this Agreement during any transition period to another Securities lending agent.
7.2 Notices.
(a) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to BGI, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to BGI and received by it at its offices at 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, Attention: Securities Lending
Department, with a copy to the General Counsel or at such other place as BGI may from time to time designate in writing.
(b) Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Trust shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and/or Trust and received by--Mutual Fund Administration, c/o Barclays Global Fund Advisors, 45 Fremont Street, San Francisco, California 94105,with a copy to: Legal Department, or at such other place as the Trust may from time to time designate in writing.
7.3 Cumulative Rights and No Waiver. Each and every right granted to a party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of a party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by a party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
7.4 Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
7.5 Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties.
7.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.
7.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflict of laws principles thereof.
7.8 No Third Party Beneficiaries. In performing hereunder, BGI is acting solely on behalf of the Trust and, except as specifically provided herein, no contractual or service relationship shall be deemed to be established hereby between BGI and any other person.
7.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.
7.10 SIPA Notice. THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT THE FUND WITH RESPECT TO LOANS HEREUNDER AND, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO BGI AS AGENT FOR THE FUND MAY CONSTITUTE THE ONLY SOURCE OF SATISFACTION OF A BORROWER'S OBLIGATION IN THE EVENT SUCH BORROWER FAILS TO RETURN THE LOANED SECURITIES.
7.11 Survival of Indemnification. The indemnifications provided by a party hereunder shall be a continuing obligation of such party, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of any loans hereunder or of this Agreement.
7.12 It is understood and agreed that none of the interestholders, officers, agents or trustees of the Trust or any Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. All persons contracting with or having a claim against the Trust with respect to a Fund shall look solely to the assets of such Fund for payment of such contract or claim, and no Fund shall be liable for the obligations of any other Fund.
[End of Text]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
By: /s/ Lee Kranefuss ----------------------------- Lee T. Kranefuss Title: Chairman |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A.
By: /s/ Michael Williams ----------------------------- H. Michael Williams Title: Managing Director By: /s/ Michael Latham ----------------------------- Michael Latham Title: Managing Director |
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Barclays Global Investors Funds on March 15, 2007.
Schedule A
Institutional Money Market Fund
Prime Money Market Fund
Government Money Market Fund
Treasury Money Market Fund
S&P 500 Stock Fund
Bond Index Fund
LifePath Retirement Portfolio
LifePath 2010 Portfolio
LifePath 2020 Portfolio
LifePath 2030 Portfolio
LifePath 2040 Portfolio
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Barclays Global Investors Funds on March 15, 2007.
Exhibit A
The Bond Market Association
Master Securities
Loan Agreement
2000 Version
Dated as of:______, 200_
Between: Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A
and______________________________________________________________________
1. Applicability.
From time to time the parties hereto may enter into transactions in which one party ("Lender") will lend to the other party ("Borrower") certain Securities (as defined herein) against a transfer of Collateral (as defined herein). Each such transaction shall be referred to herein as a "Loan" and, unless otherwise agreed in writing, shall be governed by this Agreement, including any supplemental terms or conditions contained in an Annex or Schedule hereto and in any other annexes identified herein or therein as applicable hereunder. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in Section 25.
2. Loans of Securities.
2.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Borrower or Lender
may, from time to time, seek to initiate a transaction in which Lender will
lend Securities to Borrower. Borrower and Lender shall agree on the terms of
each Loan (which terms may be amended during the Loan), including the issuer of
the Securities, the amount of Securities to be lent, the basis of compensation,
the amount of Collateral to be transferred by Borrower, and any additional
terms. Such agreement shall be confirmed (a) by a schedule and receipt listing
the Loaned Securities provided by Borrower to Lender in accordance with
Section 3.2, (b) through any system that compares Loans and in which Borrower
and Lender are participants, or (c) in such other manner as may be agreed by
Borrower and Lender in writing. Such confirmation (the "Confirmation"),
together with the Agreement, shall constitute conclusive evidence of the terms
agreed between Borrower and Lender with respect to the Loan to which the
Confirmation relates, unless with respect to the Confirmation specific
objection is made promptly after receipt thereof. In the event of any
inconsistency between the terms of such Confirmation and this Agreement, this
Agreement shall prevail unless each party has executed such Confirmation.
2.2 Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement regarding when a Loan commences, unless otherwise agreed, a Loan hereunder shall not occur until the Loaned Securities and the Collateral therefor have been transferred in accordance with Section 15.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-1
3. Transfer of Loaned Securities.
3.1 Unless otherwise agreed, Lender shall transfer Loaned Securities to Borrower hereunder on or before the Cutoff Time on the date agreed to by Borrower and Lender for the commencement of the Loan.
3.2 Unless otherwise agreed, Borrower shall provide Lender, for each Loan in which Lender is a Customer, with a schedule and receipt listing the Loaned Securities. Such schedule and receipt may consist of (a) a schedule provided to Borrower by Lender and executed and returned by Borrower when the Loaned Securities are received, (b) in the case of Securities transferred through a Clearing Organization which provides transferors with a notice evidencing such transfer, such notice, or (c) a confirmation or other document provided to Lender by Borrower.
3.3 Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that they intend the Loans hereunder to be loans of Securities. If, however, any Loan is deemed to be a loan of money by Borrower to Lender, then Borrower shall have, and Lender shall be deemed to have granted, a security interest in the Loaned Securities and the proceeds thereof.
4. Collateral.
4.1 Unless otherwise agreed, Borrower shall, prior to or concurrently with the transfer of the Loaned Securities to Borrower, but in no case later than the Close of Business on the day of such transfer, transfer to Lender Collateral with a Market Value at least equal to the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
4.2 The Collateral transferred by Borrower to Lender, as adjusted pursuant to
Section 9, shall be security for Borrower's obligations in respect of such Loan
and for any other obligations of Borrower to Lender hereunder. Borrower hereby
pledges with, assigns to, and grants Lender a continuing first priority
security interest in, and a lien upon, the Collateral, which shall attach upon
the transfer of the Loaned Securities by Lender to Borrower and which shall
cease upon the transfer of the Loaned Securities by Borrower to Lender. In
addition to the rights and remedies given to Lender hereunder, Lender shall
have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC. It is
understood that Lender may use or invest the Collateral, if such consists of
cash, at its own risk, but that (unless Lender is a Broker-Dealer) Lender
shall, during the term of any Loan hereunder, segregate Collateral from all
securities or other assets in its possession. Lender may Retransfer Collateral
only (a) if Lender is a Broker-Dealer or (b) in the event of a Default by
Borrower. Segregation of Collateral may be accomplished by appropriate
identification on the books and records of Lender if it is a "securities
intermediary" within the meaning of the UCC.
4.3 Except as otherwise provided herein, upon transfer to Lender of the Loaned Securities on the day a Loan is terminated pursuant to Section 6, Lender shall be obligated to transfer the Collateral (as adjusted pursuant to Section 9) to Borrower no later than the Cutoff Time on such day or, if such day is not a day on which a transfer of such Collateral may be effected under Section 15, the next day on which such a transfer may be effected.
4.4 If Borrower transfers Collateral to Lender, as provided in Section 4.1, and Lender does not transfer the Loaned Securities to Borrower, Borrower shall have the absolute right to the return of the Collateral; and if Lender transfers Loaned Securities to Borrower and
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-2
Borrower does not transfer Collateral to Lender as provided in Section 4.1, Lender shall have the absolute right to the return of the Loaned Securities.
4.5 Borrower may, upon reasonable notice to Lender (taking into account all relevant factors, including industry practice, the type of Collateral to be substituted, and the applicable method of transfer), substitute Collateral for Collateral securing any Loan or Loans; provided, however, that such substituted Collateral shall (a) consist only of cash, securities or other property that Borrower and Lender agreed would be acceptable Collateral prior to the Loan or Loans and (b) have a Market Value such that the aggregate Market Value of such substituted Collateral, together with all other Collateral for Loans in which the party substituting such Collateral is acting as Borrower, shall equal or exceed the agreed upon Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
4.6 Prior to the expiration of any letter of credit supporting Borrower's
obligations hereunder, Borrower shall, no later than the Extension Deadline,
(a) obtain an extension of the expiration of such letter of credit, (b) replace
such letter of credit by providing Lender with a substitute letter of credit in
an amount at least equal to the amount of the letter of credit for which it is
substituted, or (c) transfer such other Collateral to Lender as may be
acceptable to Lender.
5. Fees for Loan.
5.1 Unless otherwise agreed, (a) Borrower agrees to pay Lender a loan fee (a "Loan Fee"), computed daily on each Loan to the extent such Loan is secured by Collateral other than cash, based on the aggregate Market Value of the Loaned Securities on the day for which such Loan Fee is being computed, and (b) Lender agrees to pay Borrower a fee or rebate (a "Cash Collateral Fee") on Collateral consisting of cash, computed daily based on the amount of cash held by Lender as Collateral, in the case of each of the Loan Fee and the Cash Collateral Fee at such rates as Borrower and Lender may agree. Except as Borrower and Lender may otherwise agree (in the event that cash Collateral is transferred by clearing house funds or otherwise), Loan Fees shall accrue from and including the date on which the Loaned Securities are transferred to Borrower to, but excluding, the date on which such Loaned Securities are returned to Lender, and Cash Collateral Fees shall accrue from and including the date on which the cash Collateral is transferred to Lender to, but excluding, the date on which such cash Collateral is returned to Borrower.
5.2 Unless otherwise agreed, any Loan Fee or Cash Collateral Fee payable hereunder shall be payable:
(a) in the case of any Loan of Securities other than Government Securities, upon the earlier of (i) the fifteenth day of the month following the calendar month in which such fee was incurred and (ii) the termination of all Loans hereunder (or, if a transfer of cash in accordance with Section 15 may not be effected on such fifteenth day or the day of such termination, as the case may be, the next day on which such a transfer may be effected); and
(b) in the case of any Loan of Government Securities, upon the termination of such Loan and at such other times, if any, as may be customary in accordance with market practice.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-3
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Loan Fees shall be payable by Borrower immediately in the event of a Default hereunder by Borrower and all Cash Collateral Fees shall be payable immediately by Lender in the event of a Default by Lender.
6. Termination of the Loan.
6.1
(a) Unless otherwise agreed, either party may terminate a Loan on a termination date established by notice given to the other party prior to the Close of Business on a Business Day. The termination date established by a termination notice shall be a date no earlier than the standard settlement date that would apply to a purchase or sale of the Loaned Securities (in the case of a notice given by Lender) or the non-cash Collateral securing the Loan (in the case of a notice given by Borrower) entered into at the time of such notice, which date shall, unless Borrower and Lender agree to the contrary, be (i) in the case of Government Securities, the next Business Day following such notice and (ii) in the case of all other Securities, the third Business Day following such notice.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and unless otherwise agreed, Borrower may terminate a Loan on any Business Day by giving notice to Lender and transferring the Loaned Securities to Lender before the Cutoff Time on such Business Day if (i) the Collateral for such Loan consists of cash or Government Securities or (ii) Lender is not permitted, pursuant to Section 4.2, to Retransfer Collateral.
6.2 Unless otherwise agreed, Borrower shall, on or before the Cutoff Time on the termination date of a Loan, transfer the Loaned Securities to Lender; provided, however, that upon such transfer by Borrower, Lender shall transfer the Collateral (as adjusted pursuant to Section 9) to Borrower in accordance with Section 4.3.
7. Rights in Respect of Loaned Securities and Collateral.
7.1 Except as set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 and as otherwise agreed by Borrower and Lender, until Loaned Securities are required to be redelivered to Lender upon termination of a Loan hereunder, Borrower shall have all of the incidents of ownership of the Loaned Securities, including the right to transfer the Loaned Securities to others. Lender hereby waives the right to vote, or to provide any consent or to take any similar action with respect to, the Loaned Securities in the event that the record date or deadline for such vote, consent or other action falls during the term of the Loan.
7.2 Except as set forth in Sections 8.3 and 8.4 and as otherwise agreed by Borrower and Lender, if Lender may, pursuant to Section 4.2, Retransfer Collateral, Borrower hereby waives the right to vote, or to provide any consent or take any similar action with respect to, any such Collateral in the event that the record date or deadline for such vote, consent or other action falls during the term of a Loan and such Collateral is not required to be returned to Borrower pursuant to Section 4.5 or Section 9.
8. Distributions.
8.1 Lender shall be entitled to receive all Distributions made on or in respect of the Loaned Securities which are not otherwise received by Lender, to the full extent it would be so entitled if the Loaned Securities had not been lent to Borrower.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-4
8.2 Any cash Distributions made on or in respect of the Loaned Securities, which Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 8.1, shall be paid by the transfer of cash to Lender by Borrower, on the date any such Distribution is paid, in an amount equal to such cash Distribution, so long as Lender is not in Default at the time of such payment. Non-cash Distributions that Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 8.1 shall be added to the Loaned Securities on the date of distribution and shall be considered such for all purposes, except that if the Loan has terminated, Borrower shall forthwith transfer the same to Lender.
8.3 Borrower shall be entitled to receive all Distributions made on or in respect of non-cash Collateral which are not otherwise received by Borrower, to the full extent it would be so entitled if the Collateral had not been transferred to Lender.
8.4 Any cash Distributions made on or in respect of such Collateral, which Borrower is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 8.3, shall be paid by the transfer of cash to Borrower by Lender, on the date any such Distribution is paid, in an amount equal to such cash Distribution, so long as Borrower is not in Default at the time of such payment. Non-cash Distributions that Borrower is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 8.3 shall be added to the Collateral on the date of distribution and shall be considered such for all purposes, except that if each Loan secured by such Collateral has terminated, Lender shall forthwith transfer the same to Borrower.
8.5 Unless otherwise agreed by the parties:
(a) If (i) Borrower is required to make a payment (a "Borrower Payment") with respect to cash Distributions on Loaned Securities under Sections 8.1 and 8.2 ("Securities Distributions"), or (ii) Lender is required to make a payment (a "Lender Payment") with respect to cash Distributions on Collateral under Sections 8.3 and 8.4 ("Collateral Distributions"), and (iii) Borrower or Lender, as the case may be ("Payor"), shall be required by law to collect any withholding or other tax, duty, fee, levy or charge required to be deducted or withheld from such Borrower Payment or Lender Payment ("Tax"), then Payor shall (subject to subsections (b) and (c) below), pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amount of the Borrower Payment or Lender Payment received by the Lender or Borrower, as the case may be ("Payee"), after payment of such Tax equals the net amount of the Securities Distribution or Collateral Distribution that would have been received if such Securities Distribution or Collateral Distribution had been paid directly to the Payee.
(b) No additional amounts shall be payable to a Payee under subsection
(a) above to the extent that Tax would have been imposed on a Securities
Distribution or Collateral Distribution paid directly to the Payee.
(c) No additional amounts shall be payable to a Payee under subsection
(a) above to the extent that such Payee is entitled to an exemption from, or
reduction in the rate of, Tax on a Borrower Payment or Lender Payment subject
to the provision of a certificate or other documentation, but has failed timely
to provide such certificate or other documentation.
(d) Each party hereto shall be deemed to represent that, as of the commencement of any Loan hereunder, no Tax would be imposed on any cash Distribution paid to it with respect to (i) Loaned Securities subject to a Loan in which it is acting as
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-5
Lender or (ii) Collateral for any Loan in which it is acting as Borrower, unless such party has given notice to the contrary to the other party hereto (which notice shall specify the rate at which such Tax would be imposed). Each party agrees to notify the other of any change that occurs during the term of a Loan in the rate of any Tax that would be imposed on any such cash Distributions payable to it.
8.6 To the extent that, under the provisions of Sections 8.1 through 8.5, (a) a transfer of cash or other property by Borrower would give rise to a Margin Excess or (b) a transfer of cash or other property by Lender would give rise to a Margin Deficit, Borrower or Lender (as the case may be) shall not be obligated to make such transfer of cash or other property in accordance with such Sections, but shall in lieu of such transfer immediately credit the amounts that would have been transferable under such Sections to the account of Lender or Borrower (as the case may be).
9. Mark to Market.
9.1 If Lender is a Customer, Borrower shall daily mark to market any Loan hereunder and in the event that at the Close of Trading on any Business Day the Market Value of the Collateral for any Loan to Borrower shall be less than 100% of the Market Value of all the outstanding Loaned Securities subject to such Loan, Borrower shall transfer additional Collateral no later than the Close of Business on the next Business Day so that the Market Value of such additional Collateral, when added to the Market Value of the other Collateral for such Loan, shall equal 100% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
9.2 In addition to any rights of Lender under Section 9.1, if at any time the aggregate Market Value of all Collateral for Loans by Lender shall be less than the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of all the outstanding Loaned Securities subject to such Loans (a "Margin Deficit"), Lender may, by notice to Borrower, demand that Borrower transfer to Lender additional Collateral so that the Market Value of such additional Collateral, when added to the Market Value of all other Collateral for such Loans, shall equal or exceed the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
9.3 Subject to Borrower's obligations under Section 9.1, if at any time the Market Value of all Collateral for Loans to Borrower shall be greater than the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of all the outstanding Loaned Securities subject to such Loans (a "Margin Excess"), Borrower may, by notice to Lender, demand that Lender transfer to Borrower such amount of the Collateral selected by Borrower so that the Market Value of the Collateral for such Loans, after deduction of such amounts, shall thereupon not exceed the Margin Percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
9.4 Borrower and Lender may agree, with respect to one or more Loans hereunder, to mark the values to market pursuant to Sections 9.2 and 9.3 by separately valuing the Loaned Securities lent and the Collateral given in respect thereof on a Loan-by-Loan basis.
9.5 Borrower and Lender may agree, with respect to any or all Loans hereunder, that the respective rights of Lender and Borrower under Sections 9.2 and 9.3 may be exercised only where a Margin Excess or Margin Deficit exceeds a specified dollar amount or a specified percentage of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities under such Loans (which amount or percentage shall be agreed to by Borrower and Lender prior to entering into any such Loans).
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-6
9.6 If any notice is given by Borrower or Lender under Sections 9.2 or 9.3 at or before the Margin Notice Deadline on any day on which a transfer of Collateral may be effected in accordance with Section 15, the party receiving such notice shall transfer Collateral as provided in such Section no later than the Close of Business on such day. If any such notice is given after the Margin Notice Deadline, the party receiving such notice shall transfer such Collateral no later than the Close of Business on the next Business Day following the day of such notice.
10.Representations.
The parties to this Agreement hereby make the following representations and warranties, which shall continue during the term of any Loan hereunder:
10.1 Each party hereto represents and warrants that (a) it has the power to execute and deliver this Agreement, to enter into the Loans contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder, (b) it has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution, delivery and performance, and (c) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
10.2 Each party hereto represents and warrants that it has not relied on the other for any tax or accounting advice concerning this Agreement and that it has made its own determination as to the tax and accounting treatment of any Loan and any dividends, remuneration or other funds received hereunder.
10.3 Each party hereto represents and warrants that it is acting for its own
account unless it expressly specifies otherwise in writing and complies with
Section 11.1(b).
10.4 Borrower represents and warrants that it has, or will have at the time of transfer of any Collateral, the right to grant a first priority security interest therein subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
10.5
(a) Borrower represents and warrants that it (or the person to whom it relends the Loaned Securities) is borrowing or will borrow Loaned Securities that are Equity Securities for the purpose of making delivery of such Loaned Securities in the case of short sales, failure to receive securities required to be delivered, or as otherwise permitted pursuant to Regulation T as in effect from time to time.
(b) Borrower and Lender may agree, as provided in Section 24.2, that Borrower
shall not be deemed to have made the representation or warranty in subsection
(a) with respect to any Loan. By entering into any such agreement, Lender shall
be deemed to have represented and warranted to Borrower (which representation
and warranty shall be deemed to be repeated on each day during the term of the
Loan) that Lender is either (i) an "exempted borrower" within the meaning of
Regulation T or (ii) a member of a national securities exchange or a broker or
dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that is
entering into such Loan to finance its activities as a market maker or an
underwriter.
10.6 Lender represents and warrants that it has, or will have at the time of transfer of any Loaned Securities, the right to transfer the Loaned Securities subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
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11.Covenants.
11.1 Each party agrees either (a) to be liable as principal with respect to its obligations hereunder or (b) to execute and comply fully with the provisions of Annex I (the terms and conditions of which Annex are incorporated herein and made a part hereof).
11.2 Promptly upon (and in any event within seven (7) Business Days after) demand by Lender, Borrower shall furnish Lender with Borrower's most recent publicly-available financial statements and any other financial statements mutually agreed upon by Borrower and Lender. Unless otherwise agreed, if Borrower is subject to the requirements of Rule 17a-5(c) under the Exchange Act, it may satisfy the requirements of this Section by furnishing Lender with its most recent statement required to be furnished to customers pursuant to such Rule.
12.Events of Default.
All Loans hereunder may, at the option of the non-defaulting party (which option shall be deemed to have been exercised immediately upon the occurrence of an Act of Insolvency), be terminated immediately upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events (individually, a "Default"):
12.1 if any Loaned Securities shall not be transferred to Lender upon termination of the Loan as required by Section 6;
12.2 if any Collateral shall not be transferred to Borrower upon termination of the Loan as required by Sections 4.3 and 6;
12.3 if either party shall fail to transfer Collateral as required by Section 9;
12.4 if either party (a) shall fail to transfer to the other party amounts in respect of Distributions required to be transferred by Section 8, (b) shall have been notified of such failure by the other party prior to the Close of Business on any day, and (c) shall not have cured such failure by the Cutoff Time on the next day after such Close of Business on which a transfer of cash may be effected in accordance with Section 15;
12.5 if an Act of Insolvency occurs with respect to either party;
12.6 if any representation made by either party in respect of this Agreement or any Loan or Loans hereunder shall be incorrect or untrue in any material respect during the term of any Loan hereunder;
12.7 if either party notifies the other of its inability to or its intention not to perform its obligations hereunder or otherwise disaffirms, rejects or repudiates any of its obligations hereunder; or
12.8 if either party (a) shall fail to perform any material obligation under this Agreement not specifically set forth in clauses 12.1 through 12.7, above, including but not limited to the payment of fees as required by Section 5, and the payment of transfer taxes as required by Section 14, (b) shall have been notified of such failure by the other party prior to the Close of Business on any day, and (c) shall not have cured such failure by the Cutoff Time on the next day after such Close of Business on which a transfer of cash may be effected in accordance with Section 15.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-8
The non-defaulting party shall (except upon the occurrence of an Act of
Insolvency) give notice as promptly as practicable to the defaulting party of
the exercise of its option to terminate all Loans hereunder pursuant to this
Section 12.
13.Remedies.
13.1 Upon the occurrence of a Default under Section 12 entitling Lender to
terminate all Loans hereunder, Lender shall have the right, in addition to any
other remedies provided herein, (a) to purchase a like amount of Loaned
Securities ("Replacement Securities") in the principal market for such Loaned
Securities in a commercially reasonable manner, (b) to sell any Collateral in
the principal market for such Collateral in a commercially reasonable manner
and (c) to apply and set off the Collateral and any proceeds thereof (including
any amounts drawn under a letter of credit supporting any Loan) against the
payment of the purchase price for such Replacement Securities and any amounts
due to Lender under Sections 5, 8, 14 and 16. In the event that Lender shall
exercise such rights, Borrower's obligation to return a like amount of the
Loaned Securities shall terminate. Lender may similarly apply the Collateral
and any proceeds thereof to any other obligation of Borrower under this
Agreement, including Borrower's obligations with respect to Distributions paid
to Borrower (and not forwarded to Lender) in respect of Loaned Securities. In
the event that (i) the purchase price of Replacement Securities (plus all other
amounts, if any, due to Lender hereunder) exceeds (ii) the amount of the
Collateral, Borrower shall be liable to Lender for the amount of such excess
together with interest thereon at a rate equal to (A) in the case of purchases
of Foreign Securities, LIBOR, (B) in the case of purchases of any other
Securities (or other amounts, if any, due to Lender hereunder), the Federal
Funds Rate or (C) such other rate as may be specified in Schedule B, in each
case as such rate fluctuates from day to day, from the date of such purchase
until the date of payment of such excess. As security for Borrower's obligation
to pay such excess, Lender shall have, and Borrower hereby grants, a security
interest in any property of Borrower then held by or for Lender and a right of
setoff with respect to such property and any other amount payable by Lender to
Borrower. The purchase price of Replacement Securities purchased under this
Section 13.1 shall include, and the proceeds of any sale of Collateral shall be
determined after deduction of, broker's fees and commissions and all other
reasonable costs, fees and expenses related to such purchase or sale (as the
case may be). In the event Lender exercises its rights under this Section 13.1,
Lender may elect in its sole discretion, in lieu of purchasing all or a portion
of the Replacement Securities or selling all or a portion of the Collateral, to
be deemed to have made, respectively, such purchase of Replacement Securities
or sale of Collateral for an amount equal to the price therefor on the date of
such exercise obtained from a generally recognized source or the last bid
quotation from such a source at the most recent Close of Trading. Subject to
Section 18, upon the satisfaction of all obligations hereunder, any remaining
Collateral shall be returned to Borrower.
13.2 Upon the occurrence of a Default under Section 12 entitling Borrower to terminate all Loans hereunder, Borrower shall have the right, in addition to any other remedies provided herein, (a) to purchase a like amount of Collateral ("Replacement Collateral") in the principal market for such Collateral in a commercially reasonable manner, (b) to sell a like amount of the Loaned Securities in the principal market for such Loaned Securities in a commercially reasonable manner and (c) to apply and set off the Loaned Securities and any proceeds thereof against (i) the payment of the purchase price for such Replacement Collateral, (ii) Lender's obligation to return any cash or other Collateral, and (iii) any amounts due to Borrower under Sections 5, 8 and 16. In such event, Borrower may treat the Loaned Securities as its own and Lender's obligation to return a
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-9
like amount of the Collateral shall terminate; provided, however, that Lender
shall immediately return any letters of credit supporting any Loan upon the
exercise or deemed exercise by Borrower of its termination rights under
Section 12. Borrower may similarly apply the Loaned Securities and any proceeds
thereof to any other obligation of Lender under this Agreement, including
Lender's obligations with respect to Distributions paid to Lender (and not
forwarded to Borrower) in respect of Collateral. In the event that (i) the
sales price received from such Loaned Securities is less than (ii) the purchase
price of Replacement Collateral (plus the amount of any cash or other
Collateral not replaced by Borrower and all other amounts, if any, due to
Borrower hereunder), Lender shall be liable to Borrower for the amount of any
such deficiency, together with interest on such amounts at a rate equal to
(A) in the case of Collateral consisting of Foreign Securities, LIBOR, (B) in
the case of Collateral consisting of any other Securities (or other amounts
due, if any, to Borrower hereunder), the Federal Funds Rate or (C) such other
rate as may be specified in Schedule B, in each case as such rate fluctuates
from day to day, from the date of such sale until the date of payment of such
deficiency. As security for Lender's obligation to pay such deficiency,
Borrower shall have, and Lender hereby grants, a security interest in any
property of Lender then held by or for Borrower and a right of setoff with
respect to such property and any other amount payable by Borrower to Lender.
The purchase price of any Replacement Collateral purchased under this
Section 13.2 shall include, and the proceeds of any sale of Loaned Securities
shall be determined after deduction of, broker's fees and commissions and all
other reasonable costs, fees and expenses related to such purchase or sale (as
the case may be). In the event Borrower exercises its rights under this
Section 13.2, Borrower may elect in its sole discretion, in lieu of purchasing
all or a portion of the Replacement Collateral or selling all or a portion of
the Loaned Securities, to be deemed to have made, respectively, such purchase
of Replacement Collateral or sale of Loaned Securities for an amount equal to
the price therefor on the date of such exercise obtained from a generally
recognized source or the last bid quotation from such a source at the most
recent Close of Trading. Subject to Section 18, upon the satisfaction of all
Lender's obligations hereunder, any remaining Loaned Securities (or remaining
cash proceeds thereof) shall be returned to Lender.
13.3 Unless otherwise agreed, the parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the Loaned Securities and any Collateral consisting of Securities are of a type traded in a recognized market, (b) in the absence of a generally recognized source for prices or bid or offer quotations for any security, the non-defaulting party may establish the source therefor in its sole discretion, and (c) all prices and bid and offer quotations shall be increased to include accrued interest to the extent not already included therein (except to the extent contrary to market practice with respect to the relevant Securities).
13.4 In addition to its rights hereunder, the non-defaulting party shall have any rights otherwise available to it under any other agreement or applicable law.
14.Transfer Taxes.
All transfer taxes with respect to the transfer of the Loaned Securities by
Lender to Borrower and by Borrower to Lender upon termination of the Loan and
with respect to the transfer of Collateral by Borrower to Lender and by Lender
to Borrower upon termination of the Loan or pursuant to Section 4.5 or
Section 9 shall be paid by Borrower.
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15.Transfers.
15.1 All transfers by either Borrower or Lender of Loaned Securities or
Collateral consisting of "financial assets" (within the meaning of the UCC)
hereunder shall be by (a) in the case of certificated securities, physical
delivery of certificates representing such securities together with duly
executed stock and bond transfer powers, as the case may be, with signatures
guaranteed by a bank or a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
(b) registration of an uncertificated security in the transferee's name by the
issuer of such uncertificated security, (c) the crediting by a Clearing
Organization of such financial assets to the transferee's "securities account"
(within the meaning of the UCC) maintained with such Clearing Organization, or
(d) such other means as Borrower and Lender may agree.
15.2 All transfers of cash hereunder shall be by (a) wire transfer in immediately available, freely transferable funds or (b) such other means as Borrower and Lender may agree.
15.3 All transfers of letters of credit from Borrower to Lender shall be made by physical delivery to Lender of an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a "bank" as defined in Section 3(a)(6)(A)-(C) of the Exchange Act. Transfers of letters of credit from Lender to Borrower shall be made by causing such letters of credit to be returned or by causing the amount of such letters of credit to be reduced to the amount required after such transfer.
15.4 A transfer of Securities, cash or letters of credit may be effected under this Section 15 on any day except (a) a day on which the transferee is closed for business at its address set forth in Schedule A hereto or (b) a day on which a Clearing Organization or wire transfer system is closed, if the facilities of such Clearing Organization or wire transfer system are required to effect such transfer.
15.5 For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree and acknowledge that the
term "securities," as used herein (except in this Section 15), shall include
any "security entitlements" with respect to such securities (within the meaning
of the UCC). In every transfer of "financial assets" (within the meaning of the
UCC) hereunder, the transferor shall take all steps necessary (a) to effect a
delivery to the transferee under Section 8-301 of the UCC, or to cause the
creation of a security entitlement in favor of the transferee under
Section 8-501 of the UCC, (b) to enable the transferee to obtain "control"
(within the meaning of Section 8-106 of the UCC), and (c) to provide the
transferee with comparable rights under any applicable foreign law or
regulation.
16.Contractual Currency.
16.1 Borrower and Lender agree that (a) any payment in respect of a Distribution under Section 8 shall be made in the currency in which the underlying Distribution of cash was made, (b) any return of cash shall be made in the currency in which the underlying transfer of cash was made, and (c) any other payment of cash in connection with a Loan under this Agreement shall be in the currency agreed upon by Borrower and Lender in connection with such Loan (the currency established under clause (a), (b) or (c) hereinafter referred to as the "Contractual Currency"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payee of any such payment may, at its option, accept tender thereof in any other currency; provided, however, that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the obligation of the payor to make such payment will be discharged only to the extent of the amount of Contractual Currency that such payee may, consistent with normal banking
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-11
procedures, purchase with such other currency (after deduction of any premium and costs of exchange) on the banking day next succeeding its receipt of such currency.
16.2 If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency received under
Section 16.1, including amounts received after conversion of any recovery under
any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual
Currency, falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency due in respect
of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will (unless a
Default has occurred and such party is the non-defaulting party) as a separate
and independent obligation and to the extent permitted by applicable law,
immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be
necessary to compensate for the shortfall.
16.3 If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency received under
Section 16.1 exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency due in respect of
this Agreement, then the party receiving the payment will (unless a Default has
occurred and such party is the non-defaulting party) refund promptly the amount
of such excess.
17.ERISA.
Lender shall, if any of the Securities transferred to the Borrower hereunder for any Loan have been or shall be obtained, directly or indirectly, from or using the assets of any Plan, so notify Borrower in writing upon the execution of this Agreement or upon initiation of such Loan under Section 2.1. If Lender so notifies Borrower, then Borrower and Lender shall conduct the Loan in accordance with the terms and conditions of Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Exemption 81-6 (46 Fed. Reg. 7527, Jan. 23, 1981; as amended, 52 Fed. Reg. 18754, May 19, 1987), or any successor thereto (unless Borrower and Lender have agreed prior to entering into a Loan that such Loan will be conducted in reliance on another exemption, or without relying on any exemption, from the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended). Without limiting the foregoing and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Loan will be conducted in accordance with Prohibited Transaction Exemption 81-6, then:
17.1 Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that it is either (a) a bank subject to federal or state supervision, (b) a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act or (c) exempt from registration under Section 15(a)(1) of the Exchange Act as a dealer in Government Securities.
17.2 Borrower represents and warrants that, during the term of any Loan
hereunder, neither Borrower nor any affiliate of Borrower has any discretionary
authority or control with respect to the investment of the assets of the Plan
involved in the Loan or renders investment advice (within the meaning of 29
C.F.R. Section 2510.3-21(c)) with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in
the Loan. Lender agrees that, prior to or at the commencement of any Loan
hereunder, it will communicate to Borrower information regarding the Plan
sufficient to identify to Borrower any person or persons that have
discretionary authority or control with respect to the investment of the assets
of the Plan involved in the Loan or that render investment advice (as defined
in the preceding sentence) with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in
the Loan. In the event Lender fails to communicate and keep current during the
term of any Loan such information, Lender rather than Borrower shall be deemed
to have made the representation and warranty in the first sentence of this
Section 17.2.
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17.3 Borrower shall mark to market daily each Loan hereunder pursuant to
Section 9.1 as is required if Lender is a Customer.
17.4 Borrower and Lender agree that:
(a) the term "Collateral" shall mean cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities, or irrevocable bank letters of credit issued by a person other than Borrower or an affiliate thereof;
(b) prior to the making of any Loans hereunder, Borrower shall provide Lender with (i) the most recent available audited statement of Borrower's financial condition and (ii) the most recent available unaudited statement of Borrower's financial condition (if more recent than the most recent audited statement), and each Loan made hereunder shall be deemed a representation by Borrower that there has been no material adverse change in Borrower's financial condition subsequent to the date of the latest financial statements or information furnished in accordance herewith;
(c) the Loan may be terminated by Lender at any time, whereupon Borrower shall
deliver the Loaned Securities to Lender within the lesser of (i) the customary
delivery period for such Loaned Securities, (ii) five Business Days, and
(iii) the time negotiated for such delivery between Borrower and Lender;
provided, however, that Borrower and Lender may agree to a longer period only
if permitted by Prohibited Transaction Exemption 81-6; and
(d) the Collateral transferred shall be security only for obligations of Borrower to the Plan with respect to Loans, and shall not be security for any obligation of Borrower to any agent or affiliate of the Plan.
18.Single Agreement.
Borrower and Lender acknowledge that, and have entered into this Agreement in reliance on the fact that, all Loans hereunder constitute a single business and contractual relationship and have been entered into in consideration of each other. Accordingly, Borrower and Lender hereby agree that payments, deliveries and other transfers made by either of them in respect of any Loan shall be deemed to have been made in consideration of payments, deliveries and other transfers in respect of any other Loan hereunder, and the obligations to make any such payments, deliveries and other transfers may be applied against each other and netted. In addition, Borrower and Lender acknowledge that, and have entered into this Agreement in reliance on the fact that, all Loans hereunder have been entered into in consideration of each other. Accordingly, Borrower and Lender hereby agree that (a) each shall perform all of its obligations in respect of each Loan hereunder, and that a default in the performance of any such obligation by Borrower or by Lender (the "Defaulting Party") in any Loan hereunder shall constitute a default by the Defaulting Party under all such Loans hereunder, and (b) the non-defaulting party shall be entitled to set off claims and apply property held by it in respect of any Loan hereunder against obligations owing to it in respect of any other Loan with the Defaulting Party.
19.APPLICABLE LAW.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-13
20.Waiver.
The failure of a party to this Agreement to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. All waivers in respect of a Default must be in writing.
21.Survival of Remedies.
All remedies hereunder and all obligations with respect to any Loan shall survive the termination of the relevant Loan, return of Loaned Securities or Collateral and termination of this Agreement.
22.Notices and Other Communications.
Any and all notices, statements, demands or other communications hereunder may be given by a party to the other by telephone, mail, facsimile, e-mail, electronic message, telegraph, messenger or otherwise to the individuals and at the facsimile numbers and addresses specified with respect to it in Schedule A hereto, or sent to such party at any other place specified in a notice of change of number or address hereafter received by the other party. Any notice, statement, demand or other communication hereunder will be deemed effective on the day and at the time on which it is received or, if not received, on the day and at the time on which its delivery was in good faith attempted; provided, however, that any notice by a party to the other party by telephone shall be deemed effective only if (a) such notice is followed by written confirmation thereof and (b) at least one of the other means of providing notice that are specifically listed above has previously been attempted in good faith by the notifying party.
23.SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
23.1 EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY (A) SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY SUCH COURT, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO ENFORCE ITS OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LOAN HEREUNDER AND (B) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO, ANY DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND ANY RIGHT OF JURISDICTION ON ACCOUNT OF ITS PLACE OF RESIDENCE OR DOMICILE.
23.2
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
24.Miscellaneous.
24.1 Except as otherwise agreed by the parties, this Agreement supersedes any other agreement between the parties hereto concerning loans of Securities between Borrower and Lender. This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-14
and shall inure to the benefit of Borrower and Lender and their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon notice to the other, subject only to fulfillment of any obligations then outstanding. This Agreement shall not be modified, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, in connection with this Agreement and each Loan hereunder, time is of the essence. Each provision and agreement herein shall be treated as separate and independent from any other provision herein and shall be enforceable notwithstanding the unenforceability of any such other provision or agreement.
24.2 Any agreement between Borrower and Lender pursuant to Section 10.5(b) or
Section 25.37 shall be made (a) in writing, (b) orally, if confirmed promptly
in writing or through any system that compares Loans and in which Borrower and
Lender are participants, or (c) in such other manner as may be agreed by
Borrower and Lender in writing.
25.Definitions.
For the purposes hereof:
25.1"Act of Insolvency" shall mean, with respect to any party, (a) the commencement by such party as debtor of any case or proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, dissolution, delinquency or similar law, or such party's seeking the appointment or election of a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian or similar official for such party or any substantial part of its property, or the convening of any meeting of creditors for purposes of commencing any such case or proceeding or seeking such an appointment or election, (b) the commencement of any such case or proceeding against such party, or another seeking such an appointment or election, or the filing against a party of an application for a protective decree under the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, which (i) is consented to or not timely contested by such party, (ii) results in the entry of an order for relief, such an appointment or election, the issuance of such a protective decree or the entry of an order having a similar effect, or (iii) is not dismissed within 15 days, (c) the making by such party of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (d) the admission in writing by such party of such party's inability to pay such party's debts as they become due.
25.2"Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 26.1
25.3"Borrower" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 1.
25.4"Borrower Payment" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 8.5(a).
25.5"Broker-Dealer" shall mean any person that is a broker (including a municipal securities broker), dealer, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker or government securities dealer as defined in the Exchange Act, regardless of whether the activities of such person are conducted in the United States or otherwise require such person to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory body.
25.6 "Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any Loan hereunder, a day on which regular trading occurs in the principal market for the Loaned Securities subject to such Loan, provided, however, that for purposes of determining the Market Value of any Securities hereunder, such term shall mean a day on which regular trading occurs in the principal market for the Securities whose value is being determined. Notwithstanding the
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-15
foregoing, (a) for purposes of Section 9, "Business Day" shall mean any day on which regular trading occurs in the principal market for any Loaned Securities or for any Collateral consisting of Securities under any outstanding Loan hereunder and "next Business Day" shall mean the next day on which a transfer of Collateral may be effected in accordance with Section 15, and (b) in no event shall a Saturday or Sunday be considered a Business Day.
25.7"Cash Collateral Fee" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 5.1.
25.8"Clearing Organization" shall mean (a) The Depository Trust Company, or, if agreed to by Borrower and Lender, such other "securities intermediary" (within the meaning of the UCC) at which Borrower (or Borrower's agent) and Lender (or Lender's agent) maintain accounts, or (b) a Federal Reserve Bank, to the extent that it maintains a book-entry system.
25.9"Close of Business" shall mean the time established by the parties in Schedule B or otherwise orally or in writing or, in the absence of any such agreement, as shall be determined in accordance with market practice.
25.10 "Close of Trading" shall mean, with respect to any Security, the end of the primary trading session established by the principal market for such Security on a Business Day, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
25.11 "Collateral" shall mean, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and to
the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) any property which Borrower and
Lender agree prior to the Loan shall be acceptable collateral and which is
transferred to Lender pursuant to Sections 4 or 9 (including as collateral, for
definitional purposes, any letters of credit mutually acceptable to Lender and
Borrower), (b) any property substituted therefor pursuant to Section 4.5,
(c) all accounts in which such property is deposited and all securities and the
like in which any cash collateral is invested or reinvested, and (d) any
proceeds of any of the foregoing; provided, however, that if Lender is a
Customer, "Collateral" shall (subject to Section 17.4(a), if applicable) be
limited to cash, U.S. Treasury bills and notes, an irrevocable letter of credit
issued by a "bank" (as defined in Section 3(a)(6)(A)-(C) of the Exchange Act),
and any other property permitted to serve as collateral securing a loan of
securities under Rule 15c3-3 under the Exchange Act or any comparable
regulation of the Secretary of the Treasury under Section 15C of the Exchange
Act (to the extent that Borrower is subject to such Rule or comparable
regulation) pursuant to exemptive, interpretive or no-action relief or
otherwise. If any new or different Security shall be exchanged for any
Collateral by recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other corporate
action, such new or different Security shall, effective upon such exchange, be
deemed to become Collateral in substitution for the former Collateral for which
such exchange is made. For purposes of return of Collateral by Lender or
purchase or sale of Securities pursuant to Section 13, such term shall include
Securities of the same issuer, class and quantity as the Collateral initially
transferred by Borrower to Lender, as adjusted pursuant to the preceding
sentence.
25.12 "Collateral Distributions" shall have the meaning assigned in
Section 8.5(a).
25.13 "Confirmation" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1.
25.14 "Contractual Currency" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 16.1.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-16
25.15 "Customer" shall mean any person that is a customer of Borrower under Rule 15c3-3 under the Exchange Act or any comparable regulation of the Secretary of the Treasury under Section 15C of the Exchange Act (to the extent that Borrower is subject to such Rule or comparable regulation).
25.16 "Cutoff Time" shall mean a time on a Business Day by which a transfer of cash, securities or other property must be made by Borrower or Lender to the other, as shall be agreed by Borrower and Lender in Schedule B or otherwise orally or in writing or, in the absence of any such agreement, as shall be determined in accordance with market practice.
25.17 "Default" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 12.
25.18 "Defaulting Party" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 18.
25.19 "Distribution" shall mean, with respect to any Security at any time, any distribution made on or in respect of such Security, including, but not limited to: (a) cash and all other property, (b) stock dividends, (c) Securities received as a result of split ups of such Security and distributions in respect thereof, (d) interest payments, (e) all rights to purchase additional Securities, and (f) any cash or other consideration paid or provided by the issuer of such Security in exchange for any vote, consent or the taking of any similar action in respect of such Security (regardless of whether the record date for such vote, consent or other action falls during the term of the Loan). In the event that the holder of a Security is entitled to elect the type of distribution to be received from two or more alternatives, such election shall be made by Lender, in the case of a Distribution in respect of the Loaned Securities, and by Borrower, in the case of a Distribution in respect of Collateral.
25.20 "Equity Security" shall mean any security (as defined in the Exchange Act) other than a "nonequity security," as defined in Regulation T.
25.21 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
25.22 "Extension Deadline" shall mean, with respect to a letter of credit, the Cutoff Time on the Business Day preceding the day on which the letter of credit expires.
25.23 "FDIA" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 26.4.
25.24 "FDICIA" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 26.5.
25.25 "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean the rate of interest (expressed as an annual rate), as published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) or any publication substituted therefor, charged for federal funds (dollars in immediately available funds borrowed by banks on an overnight unsecured basis) on that day or, if that day is not a banking day in New York City, on the next preceding banking day.
25.26 "Foreign Securities" shall mean, unless otherwise agreed, Securities that are principally cleared and settled outside the United States.
25.27 "Government Securities" shall mean government securities as defined in
Section 3(a)(42)(A)-(C) of the Exchange Act.
25.28 "Lender" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 1.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-17
25.29 "Lender Payment" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 8.5(a).
25.30 "LIBOR" shall mean for any date, the offered rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of three months which appears on the Reuters Screen LIBO page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such date (or, if at least two such rates appear, the arithmetic mean of such rates).
25.31 "Loan" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 1.
25.32 "Loan Fee" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 5.1.
25.33 "Loaned Security" shall mean any Security transferred in a Loan hereunder
until such Security (or an identical Security) is transferred back to Lender
hereunder, except that, if any new or different Security shall be exchanged for
any Loaned Security by recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
corporate action, such new or different Security shall, effective upon such
exchange, be deemed to become a Loaned Security in substitution for the former
Loaned Security for which such exchange is made. For purposes of return of
Loaned Securities by Borrower or purchase or sale of Securities pursuant to
Section 13, such term shall include Securities of the same issuer, class and
quantity as the Loaned Securities, as adjusted pursuant to the preceding
sentence.
25.34 "Margin Deficit" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 9.2.
25.35 "Margin Excess" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 9.3.
25.36 "Margin Notice Deadline" shall mean the time agreed to by the parties in the relevant Confirmation, Schedule B hereto or otherwise as the deadline for giving notice requiring same-day satisfaction of mark-to-market obligations as provided in Section 9 hereof (or, in the absence of any such agreement, the deadline for such purposes established in accordance with market practice).
25.37 "Margin Percentage" shall mean, with respect to any Loan as of any date, a percentage agreed by Borrower and Lender, which shall be not less than 100%, unless (a) Borrower and Lender agree otherwise, as provided in Section 24.2, and (b) Lender is not a Customer. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, in the event that the writing or other confirmation evidencing the agreement described in clause (a) does not set out such percentage with respect to any such Loan, the Margin Percentage shall not be a percentage less than the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Market Value of the Collateral required to be transferred by Borrower to Lender with respect to such Loan at the commencement of the Loan by (ii) the Market Value of the Loaned Securities required to be transferred by Lender to Borrower at the commencement of the Loan.
25.38 "Market Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Annex II or otherwise agreed to by Borrower and Lender in writing. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, in the event that the meaning of Market Value has not been set forth in Annex II or in any other writing, as described in the previous sentence, Market Value shall be determined in accordance with market practice for the Securities, based on the price for such Securities as of the most recent Close of Trading obtained from a generally recognized source agreed to by the parties or the closing bid quotation at the most recent Close of Trading obtained from such source, plus accrued interest to the extent not included therein (other than any interest credited or transferred to, or applied to the obligations of, the other party pursuant to Section 8, unless market practice with respect to the valuation of such Securities in
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-18
connection with securities loans is to the contrary). If the relevant quotation did not exist at such Close of Trading, then the Market Value shall be the relevant quotation on the next preceding Close of Trading at which there was such a quotation. The determinations of Market Value provided for in Annex II or in any other writing described in the first sentences of this Section 25.38 or, if applicable, in the preceding sentence shall apply for all purposes under this Agreement, except for purposes of Section 13.
25.39 "Payee" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 8.5(a).
25.40 "Payor" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 8.5(a).
25.41 "Plan" shall mean: (a) any "employee benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 which is
subject to Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of such Act; (b) any "plan" as
defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or (c) any
entity the assets of which are deemed to be assets of any such "employee
benefit plan" or "plan" by reason of the Department of Labor's plan asset
regulation, 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101.
25.42 "Regulation T" shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
25.43 "Retransfer" shall mean, with respect to any Collateral, to pledge, repledge, hypothecate, rehypothecate, lend, relend, sell or otherwise transfer such Collateral, or to re-register any such Collateral evidenced by physical certificates in any name other than Borrower's.
25.44 "Securities" shall mean securities or, if agreed by the parties in writing, other assets.
25.45 "Securities Distributions" shall have the meaning assigned in
Section 8.5(a).
25.46 "Tax" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 8.5(a).
25.47 "UCC" shall mean the New York Uniform Commercial Code.
26.Intent.
26.1 The parties recognize that each Loan hereunder is a "securities contract," as such term is defined in Section 741 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), as amended (except insofar as the type of assets subject to the Loan would render such definition inapplicable).
26.2 It is understood that each and every transfer of funds, securities and other property under this Agreement and each Loan hereunder is a "settlement payment" or a "margin payment," as such terms are used in Sections 362(b)(6) and 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code.
26.3 It is understood that the rights given to Borrower and Lender hereunder upon a Default by the other constitute the right to cause the liquidation of a securities contract and the right to set off mutual debts and claims in connection with a securities contract, as such terms are used in Sections 555 and 362(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code.
26.4 The parties agree and acknowledge that if a party hereto is an "insured depository institution," as such term is defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended ("FDIA"), then each Loan hereunder is a "securities contract" and "qualified financial
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-19
contract," as such terms are defined in the FDIA and any rules, orders or policy statements thereunder (except insofar as the type of assets subject to the Loan would render such definitions inapplicable).
26.5 It is understood that this Agreement constitutes a "netting contract" as defined in and subject to Title IV of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") and each payment obligation under any Loan hereunder shall constitute a "covered contractual payment entitlement" or "covered contractual payment obligation," respectively, as defined in and subject to FDICIA (except insofar as one or both of the parties is not a "financial institution" as that term is defined in FDICIA).
26.6 Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation or as otherwise agreed, Borrower and Lender agree that Loans hereunder shall in no event be "exchange contracts" for purposes of the rules of any securities exchange and that Loans hereunder shall not be governed by the buy-in or similar rules of any such exchange, registered national securities association or other self-regulatory organization.
27.DISCLOSURE RELATING TO CERTAIN FEDERAL PROTECTIONS.
27.1 WITHOUT WAIVING ANY RIGHTS GIVEN TO LENDER HEREUNDER, IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT LENDER WITH RESPECT TO LOANED SECURITIES HEREUNDER AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO LENDER MAY CONSTITUTE THE ONLY SOURCE OF SATISFACTION OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS IN THE EVENT BORROWER FAILS TO RETURN THE LOANED SECURITIES.
27.2 LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, IN CONNECTION WITH LOANS OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND AS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SOME SECURITIES PROVIDED BY BORROWER AS COLLATERAL UNDER THIS AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE GUARANTEED BY THE UNITED STATES.
By: Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement-20
Annex I
Party Acting as Agent
This Annex sets forth the terms and conditions governing all transactions in which a party lending or borrowing Securities, as the case may be ("Agent"), in a Loan is acting as agent for one or more third parties (each, a "Principal"). Unless otherwise defined, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Annex shall have the meanings assigned in the Securities Loan Agreement of which it forms a part (such agreement, together with this Annex and any other annexes, schedules or exhibits, referred to as the "Agreement") and, unless otherwise specified, all section references herein are intended to refer to sections of such Securities Loan Agreement.
1. Additional Representations and Warranties. In addition to the representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement, Agent hereby makes the following representations and warranties, which shall continue during the term of any Loan: Principal has duly authorized Agent to execute and deliver the Agreement on its behalf, has the power to so authorize Agent and to enter into the Loans contemplated by the Agreement and to perform the obligations of Lender or Borrower, as the case may be, under such Loans, and has taken all necessary action to authorize such execution and delivery by Agent and such performance by it.
2. Identification of Principals. Agent agrees (a) to provide the other party, prior to any Loan under the Agreement, with a written list of Principals for which it intends to act as Agent (which list may be amended in writing from time to time with the consent of the other party), and (b) to provide the other party, before the Close of Business on the next Business Day after agreeing to enter into a Loan, with notice of the specific Principal or Principals for whom it is acting in connection with such Loan. If (i) Agent fails to identify such Principal or Principals prior to the Close of Business on such next Business Day or (ii) the other party shall determine in its sole discretion that any Principal or Principals identified by Agent are not acceptable to it, the other party may reject and rescind any Loan with such Principal or Principals, return to Agent any Collateral or Loaned Securities, as the case may be, previously transferred to the other party and refuse any further performance under such Loan, and Agent shall immediately return to the other party any portion of the Loaned Securities or Collateral, as the case may be, previously transferred to Agent in connection with such Loan; provided, however, that (A) the other party shall promptly (and in any event within one Business Day of notice of the specific Principal or Principals) notify Agent of its determination to reject and rescind such Loan and (B) to the extent that any performance was rendered by any party under any Loan rejected by the other party, such party shall remain entitled to any fees or other amounts that would have been payable to it with respect to such performance if such Loan had not been rejected. The other party acknowledges that Agent shall not have any obligation to provide it with confidential information regarding the financial status of its Principals; Agent agrees, however, that it will assist the other party in obtaining from Agent's Principals such information regarding the financial status of such Principals as the other party may reasonably request.
3. Limitation of Agent's Liability. The parties expressly acknowledge that if
the representations and warranties of Agent under the Agreement, including this
Annex, are true and correct in all material respects during the term of any
Loan and Agent otherwise complies with the provisions of this Annex, then
(a) Agent's obligations under the Agreement shall not include a guarantee of
performance by its Principal or Principals and (b) the other party's remedies
shall not include a right of setoff against obligations, if any, of Agent
arising in other transactions in which Agent is acting as principal.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AI-1
4. Multiple Principals.
(a) In the event that Agent proposes to act for more than one Principal hereunder, Agent and the other party shall elect whether (i) to treat Loans under the Agreement as transactions entered into on behalf of separate Principals or (ii) to aggregate such Loans as if they were transactions by a single Principal. Failure to make such an election in writing shall be deemed an election to treat Loans under the Agreement as transactions on behalf of separate Principals.
(b) In the event that Agent and the other party elect (or are deemed to elect) to treat Loans under the Agreement as transactions on behalf of separate Principals, the parties agree that (i) Agent will provide the other party, together with the notice described in Section 2(b) of this Annex, notice specifying the portion of each Loan allocable to the account of each of the Principals for which it is acting (to the extent that any such Loan is allocable to the account of more than one Principal), (ii) the portion of any individual Loan allocable to each Principal shall be deemed a separate Loan under the Agreement, (iii) the mark to market obligations of Borrower and Lender under the Agreement shall be determined on a Loan-by-Loan basis (unless the parties agree to determine such obligations on a Principal-by-Principal basis), and (iv) Borrower's and Lender's remedies under the Agreement upon the occurrence of a Default shall be determined as if Agent had entered into a separate Agreement with the other party on behalf of each of its Principals.
(c) In the event that Agent and the other party elect to treat Loans under the Agreement as if they were transactions by a single Principal, the parties agree that (i) Agent's notice under Section 2(b) of this Annex need only identify the names of its Principals but not the portion of each Loan allocable to each Principal's account, (ii) the mark to market obligations of Borrower and Lender under the Agreement shall, subject to any greater requirement imposed by applicable law, be determined on an aggregate basis for all Loans entered into by Agent on behalf of any Principal, and (iii) Borrower's and Lender's remedies upon the occurrence of a Default shall be determined as if all Principals were a single Lender or Borrower, as the case may be.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement (including, without limitation, this Annex), the parties agree that any transactions by Agent on behalf of a Plan shall be treated as transactions on behalf of separate Principals in accordance with Section 4(b) of this Annex (and all mark to market obligations of the parties shall be determined on a Loan-by-Loan basis).
5. Interpretation of Terms. All references to "Lender" or "Borrower," as the
case may be, in the Agreement shall, subject to the provisions of this Annex
(including, among other provisions, the limitations on Agent's liability in
Section 3 of this Annex), be construed to reflect that (i) each Principal shall
have, in connection with any Loan or Loans entered into by Agent on its behalf,
the rights, responsibilities, privileges and obligations of a "Lender" or
"Borrower," as the case may be, directly entering into such Loan or Loans with
the other party under the Agreement, and (ii) Agent's Principal or Principals
have designated Agent as their sole agent for performance of Lender's
obligations to Borrower or Borrower's obligations to Lender, as the case may
be, and for receipt of performance by Borrower of its obligations to Lender or
Lender of its obligations to Borrower, as the case may be, in connection with
any Loan or Loans under the Agreement (including, among other things, as Agent
for each Principal in connection with transfers of securities, cash or other
property and as agent for giving and receiving all notices under the
Agreement). Both Agent and its Principal or Principals shall be deemed
"parties" to the Agreement and all references to a "party" or "either party" in
the Agreement shall be deemed revised accordingly (and any
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AI-2
Default by Agent under the Agreement shall be deemed a Default by Lender or Borrower, as
the case may be).
By: Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AI-3
Annex II
Market Value
Unless otherwise agreed by Borrower and Lender:
1. If the principal market for the Securities to be valued is a national securities exchange in the United States, their Market Value shall be determined by their last sale price on such exchange at the most recent Close of Trading or, if there was no sale on the Business Day of the most recent Close of Trading, by the last sale price at the Close of Trading on the next preceding Business Day on which there was a sale on such exchange, all as quoted on the Consolidated Tape or, if not quoted on the Consolidated Tape, then as quoted by such exchange.
2. If the principal market for the Securities to be valued is the over-the-counter market, and the Securities are quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq"), their Market Value shall be the last sale price on Nasdaq at the most recent Close of Trading or, if the Securities are issues for which last sale prices are not quoted on Nasdaq, the last bid price at such Close of Trading. If the relevant quotation did not exist at such Close of Trading, then the Market Value shall be the relevant quotation on the next preceding Close of Trading at which there was such a quotation.
3. Except as provided in Section 4 of this Annex, if the principal market for the Securities to be valued is the over-the-counter market, and the Securities are not quoted on Nasdaq, their Market Value shall be determined in accordance with market practice for such Securities, based on the price for such Securities as of the most recent Close of Trading obtained from a generally recognized source agreed to by the parties or the closing bid quotation at the most recent Close of Trading obtained from such a source. If the relevant quotation did not exist at such Close of Trading, then the Market Value shall be the relevant quotation on the next preceding Close of Trading at which there was such a quotation.
4. If the Securities to be valued are Foreign Securities, their Market Value shall be determined as of the most recent Close of Trading in accordance with market practice in the principal market for such Securities.
5. The Market Value of a letter of credit shall be the undrawn amount thereof.
6. All determinations of Market Value under Sections 1 through 4 of this Annex shall include, where applicable, accrued interest to the extent not already included therein (other than any interest credited or transferred to, or applied to the obligations of, the other party pursuant to Section 8 of the Agreement), unless market practice with respect to the valuation of such Securities in connection with securities loans is to the contrary.
7. The determinations of Market Value provided for in this Annex shall apply for all purposes under the Agreement, except for purposes of Section 13 of the Agreement.
By: Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AII-1
Annex III
Term Loans
This Annex sets forth additional terms and conditions governing Loans designated as "Term Loans" in which Lender lends to Borrower a specific amount of Loaned Securities ("Term Loan Amount") against a pledge of cash Collateral by Borrower for an agreed upon Cash Collateral Fee until a scheduled termination date ("Termination Date"). Unless otherwise defined, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Annex shall have the meanings assigned in the Securities Loan Agreement of which it forms a part (such agreement, together with this Annex and any other annexes, schedules or exhibits, referred to as the "Agreement").
1. The terms of this Annex shall apply to Loans of Equity Securities only if they are designated as Term Loans in a Confirmation therefor provided pursuant to the Agreement and executed by each party, in a schedule to the Agreement or in this Annex. All Loans of Securities other than Equity Securities shall be "Term Loans" subject to this Annex, unless otherwise agreed in a Confirmation or other writing.
2. The Confirmation for a Term Loan shall set forth, in addition to any terms required to be set forth therein under the Agreement, the Term Loan Amount, the Cash Collateral Fee and the Termination Date. Lender and Borrower agree that, except as specifically provided in this Annex, each Term Loan shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Agreement, including, without limitation, any provisions regarding the parties'respective rights to terminate a Loan.
3. In the event that either party exercises its right under the Agreement to terminate a Term Loan on a date (the "Early Termination Date") prior to the Termination Date, Lender and Borrower shall, unless otherwise agreed, use their best efforts to negotiate in good faith a new Term Loan (the "Replacement Loan") of comparable or other Securities, which shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties, with a Market Value equal to the Market Value of the Term Loan Amount under the terminated Term Loan (the "Terminated Loan") as of the Early Termination Date. Such agreement shall, in accordance with Section 2 of this Annex, be confirmed in a new Confirmation at the commencement of the Replacement Loan and be
executed by each party. Each Replacement Loan shall be subject to the same terms as the corresponding Terminated Loan, other than with respect to the commencement date and the identity of the Loaned Securities. The Replacement Loan shall commence on the date on which the parties agree which Securities shall be the subject of the Replacement Loan and shall be scheduled to terminate on the scheduled Termination Date of the Terminated Loan.
4. Borrower and Lender agree that, except as provided in Section 5 of this Annex, if the parties enter into a Replacement Loan, the Collateral for the related Terminated Loan need not be returned to Borrower and shall instead serve as Collateral for such Replacement Loan.
5. If the parties are unable to negotiate and enter into a Replacement Loan for
some or all of the Term Loan Amount on or before the Early Termination Date,
(a) the party requesting termination of the Terminated Loan shall pay to the
other party a Breakage Fee computed in accordance with Section 6 of this Annex
with respect to that portion of the Term Loan Amount for which a Replacement
Loan is not entered into and (b) upon the transfer by Borrower to Lender of the
Loaned Securities subject to the Terminated Loan, Lender shall transfer to
Borrower Collateral for the Terminated Loan in accordance with and to the
extent required under the Agreement, provided that no Default has occurred with
respect to Borrower.
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AIII-1
6. For purposes of this Annex, the term "Breakage Fee" shall mean a fee agreed by Borrower and Lender in the Confirmation or otherwise orally or in writing. In the absence of any such agreement, the term "Breakage Fee" shall mean, with respect to Loans of Government Securities, a fee equal to the sum of (a) the cost to the non-terminating party (including all fees, expenses and commissions) of entering into replacement transactions and entering into or terminating hedge transactions in connection with or as a result of the termination of the Terminated Loan, and (b) any other loss, damage, cost or expense directly arising or resulting from the termination of the Terminated Loan that is incurred by the non-terminating party (other than consequential losses or costs for lost profits or lost opportunities), as determined by the non-terminating party in a commercially reasonable manner, and (c) any other amounts due and payable by the terminating party to the non-terminating party under the Agreement on the Early Termination Date.
By: Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A
2000 Master Securities Loan Agreement AIII-2
Master Securities Loan Agreement
Schedule B
Defined Terms and Supplemental Provisions
This Schedule B supplements and amends the Master Securities Loan Agreement dated as of ________________ between Barclays Global Inventors, N.A. ("BGI"), as agent or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A to this Schedule B (each such account, a various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement, and __________ ("Borrower"). In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Schedule B ad the provisions of the Agreement, this Schedule shall prevail.
1. Applicable Annexes, Schedules and Appendices. The following annexes, schedules and appendices shall from part of this Agreement and shall be applicable:
Annex I - Party Acting as Agent
Annex II - Market Value
Schedule A - Names and Addresses for Communication
Schedule B - Defined Terms and Supplemental Provisions
Appendix A to Schedule B - Lenders
Appendix B to Schedule B - Supplemental Terms for Foreign Securities
2. Section 3.3 The following sentence is deleted: "If, however, any Loan is deemed to be a loan of money by Borrower to Lender, the Borrower shall have, and Lender shall be deemed to have granted, a security interest in the Loan Securities and the proceeds thereof."
3. Section 4.2. The following is deleted from the fifth sentence: "only
(a) if Lender is a Broker-Dealer or (b) in the event of a Default by
Borrower". The word "it" is deleted from the last line and replaced by "if
BGI or its agent is".
4. Section 4.4. The following words are inserted at the end: ", and Borrower shall have the immediate obligation to return such Loan Securities to Lender".
5. Section 4.6. The following is inserted before the first sentence: "If a Letter of Credit is accepted by Lender as Collateral, Borrower agrees that at any time Lender may by notice to Borrower require that Borrower, on the Business Day following the date of delivery of such notice, substitute Collateral consisting of, in the discretion of Lender, cash or U.S. Treasury securities for the Letter of credit in an amount of at least equal to the Market Value of the Letter of Credit for which the Collateral is substituted; provided, however, that if an Act of Credit fro which the Collateral is substituted: provided, however, that if an Act of Insolvency occurs with respect to an Issuing Bank, Borrower shall provided substitute Collateral by the Cutoff Time on the Business Day on which such Act of Insolvency occurs."
6. Section 6.1(a). The Section is deleted and replaced in its entirety as follows:
"6.1 (a) Lender may terminate a Loan on a termination date establish by notice given to the Borrower at any time. The termination date established by a termination notice shall be (i) in the case of Government Securities, the next Business Day following such notice and (ii) in the case of all other Securities, the standard settlement cycle for such securities, not to exceed three Business Days following such notice."
7. Section 6.1(b). The Section is deleted and replaced in its entirety as follows:
"(b) Borrower may terminate a Loan and any Business Day by giving notice to Lender in the case of (i) U.S. equities and corporate bonds, not later than 1 p.m. New York time on such Business Day and (ii) U.S. government bonds, no later than 10 a.m. New York time, and transferring the Loan Securities to Lender before the Cutoff Time on such Business Day."
8. Section 6.2. The following words are deleted from the beginning of the
sentence: "Unless otherwise agreed". The words "as adjusted pursuant to
Section 9" are deleted and replaced by the following words within the
parentheses: "less amounts due and owing the Lender under this Agreement".
The words "unless Borrower is in Default under this Agreement" and added
at the end of Section 6.2.
9. Section 8.2. The following words are deleted ", so long as Lender is not in Default to the time of such payment".
10. Section 9.1. The following words are deleted from the first sentence: "If Lender is a Customer,". In each instance, "100% is deleted and replaced by "the Margin Percentage".
11. Section 9.2. The following is added at the end of the Section : "Further, BGI may transfer all or any portion of the Collateral, and hold and apply an Letter of Credit, among the various accounts for which it is acting as agent or trustee hereunder as necessary to assure that the obligations of Borrower to each such account under each Loan are adequately secured."
12. Section 10. The following section is added after Section 10.6:
"10.7 Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that it is either (a) a
bank subject to federal or state supervision, (b) a broker-dealer
registered under the Exchange Act or (c) exempt from registration under
Section 15(a)(1) or the Exchange Act as a dealer in Government Securities."
13. Section 11.1. The following is added: "Borrower acknowledges that BGI is acting as agent on behalf of multiple Principals."
14. Section 11. The following section is added after Section 11.2:
"11.3 Borrower and Lender agrees that, prior to the making of any Loans hereunder, Borrower shall provided Lender with (i) the most recent available audited statement of Borrower's financial condition (if more recent than the most recent audited statement), and each Loan made hereunder shall be deemed a representation by Borrower that there has been no material adverse change in Borrower's financial condition subsequent to the date of the latest financial statements or information furnished in accordance herewith."
15. Section 12.3. The following words are added at the end of the Section: "or if either party shall fail to transfer the Loaned Securities or the Collateral, as applicable, required by Section 4.6".
16. The following is added at the end of the Section: "or an affiliate of the Borrower".
17. Section 12.7. The word "or" is deleted at the end.
18. Section 12. The following sections are added after Section 12.8:
"12.9 if Borrower, or any affiliate of Borrower, shall have been suspended or expelled from membership or participation in any national securities exchange or association or other self-regulatory organization or if it is suspended from dealing in securities by any governmental agency;
"12.10 if, at any time, final judgments for the payment of money in excess of $10 million shall be rendered against Borrower, and, within 60 days after the entry thereof, such judgments shall not have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or if, within 60 days after the expiration of any such stay, such judgments shall not have been discharged; or"
"12.11 if a Default with respect to Borrower shall have occurred under any securities lending arrangement between Borrower and BGI, as trustee or agent for any of its trust or agency accounts."
19. Section 17. The first sentence is deleted. The words "If Lender so notifies Borrower, then" are deleted from the beginning of the second sentence and replaced by the words "With respect to any Loan involving Securities transferred to the Borrower hereunder that have been or shall be obtained, directly or indirectly, from or using the assets of any Plan,".
20. Section 17.2. In the second sentence, the words "Lender agrees that" are deleted and replaced by "Lender may". The words "it will" is deleted between the words "hereunder" and "communicate". The words "In the event Lender fails to communicate and keep current during the term of any Loan such information" are deleted from last sentence and replaced by the words "In the absence of such communication by Lender". The following is added after the last sentence: "With respect to any Loan hereunder involving Plan assets from a "collective investment fund" (as defined in Prohibited Transaction Exemption 91-38, 56 Fed Reg. 31966, July 12, 1991) trusteed by BGI, Lender represents and warrants to the Borrower that BGI, in its capacity as trustee, is the only person that has discretionary authority or control with respect to the investment of, or renders investment advice with respect to, the assets of any Plan that are invested in such collective investment fund."
21. Section 17.4. The words "irrevocable bank letters of credit issued by a person other than Borrower or an affiliate thereof" are deleted and replaced by "Letters of Credit".
22. Section 25. 37. "Margin Percentage" is deleted and replaced in its entirety as follows:
"Margin Percentage" shall mean, with respect to any Loan as of any date, not less than 102% with respect to U.S. securities, and not less than 105% with respect to Foreign Securities."
23. Section 25.11. "Collateral" is deleted and replaced in its entirety by the definition of Collateral set forth under Section 17.4(a) of the Agreement.
24. Section 25. The following definitions are added after Section 25.47:
"25.48 "Issuing Bank" shall mean any bank that has issued a Letter of Credit as Collateral under the Agreement."
"25.49 "Letter of Credit" shall mean Collateral in the form of an irrevocable bank letter of credit issued by a bank, other than an affiliate of Borrower, and acceptable to Lender, and in a form and substance satisfactory to Lender."
25. Section 28. A new Section 28 is added to the Agreement:
"28. Indemnification.
Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lender from any and all damages, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and excise taxes, punitive and other damages under ERISA, but excluding damages, losses, costs and expenses caused by the gross negligence of Lender) that it may incur or suffer arising in any way out of (a) the use by Borrower of Loaned Securities under this Agreement, (b) the failure of Borrower to return the Loaned Securities or (c) the enforcement of this Agreement or any Letter of Credit or in the protection, preservation or enforcement of Lender's rights in connection with any of the Collateral."
26. Annex I. The portion of Section 2 of Annex I beginning with the words ", and (b) provide" in the third line, and ending with the words before the last sentence "if such Loan had not been rejected" shall be deleted.
Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent [Borrower] or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A By: By: ----------------------------------- -------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------------------------- Title: Title: ----------------------------------- -------------------------- Date: Date: ----------------------------------- -------------------------- By: ----------------------------------- Title: ----------------------------------- Date: ----------------------------------- |
Master Securities Loan Agreement Appendix B to Schedule B |
Supplemental Terms for Foreign Securities
In addition to the terms of the Agreement (including Schedules, Annexes and Appendices thereto), this Appendix B to Schedule B of the Agreement shall apply to Loans of Foreign Securities only. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Appendix B and the other provisions of the Agreement (including Schedules, Annexes and Appendices thereto), this Appendix B shall prevail.
1. Section 3.1. The following words are added at the end: "; provided that Lender shall transfer Loaned Securities to Borrower only after Collateral has been transferred to Lender pursuant to Section 4.1".
2. Section 4.1. The words "or concurrently with" and "but in no case later than the Close of Business on the day of such transfer," are deleted from the first sentence.
3. Section 4.6. The words "U.S. Business Day" shall replace "Business Day" in
Section 4.6 as such section is amended by Schedule B to the Agreement.
4. Section 6.1. The Section is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"6.1 (a) Borrower may terminate a loan of any Foreign Securities by (i) giving prior notice of such termination to Lender no later than 4:00 p.m. New York time on the U.S. Business Day next preceding the relevant Business Day on which Borrower intends to return the Foreign Securities to Lender and (ii) delivering such Foreign Securities to Lender. (b) In addition to its right to terminate any or all loans pursuant to Paragraph 12 hereof, Lender may terminate a loan of any Foreign Securities by giving notice to Borrower at any time. Any termination date established by an such notice shall be a date no earlier than the standard settlement date for the relevant Foreign Securities, but no later than five Business Days after notice of termination from Lender to Borrower ("Termination Date"). On the Termination Date or at the time specified in Borrower's notice to Lender, pursuant to paragraph 5(a) hereof, Borrower shall deliver the Foreign Securities to Lender." |
5. Section 8.2. Section 8.2 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
"8.2 Any cash distribution made on or in respect of the Loaned Foreign
Securities, which Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to
Section 8.1, shall be paid by the transfer of cash to Lender by
Borrower within one U.S. Business Day of the Payable Date of a cash
Distribution in an amount equal to such cash Distribution, whether
or not Borrower shall have received such payment from the issuer of
the Foreign Security. When a Non-cash Distribution is declared for
the benefit of holders of a Foreign Security as of a specified
date, pending the Payable Date Lender shall treat the declared
Non-cash Distribution as Securities and Borrower shall deliver
Collateral with respect to the declared Non-cash Distribution to
Lender in accordance with Section 4 and Section 9 hereof. If Lender
shall agree, Borrower may continue after Payable Date to treat a
Non-cash Distribution as Securities loaned to Borrower pursuant to
Section 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 16.1, any
payment of cash from Borrower to Lender under this Section 8.2
shall be made as Lender shall
instruct in the currency specified by Lender. For the purpose of this Section 8.2., Payable Date shall have the meaning that is customary with respect of the applicable Foreign Security."
6. Section 8.7. A new Section 8.7 is added to the Agreement:
"8.7 In the event that Borrower takes instructions form Lender relating to a mandatory or optional corporate action, Borrower shall use its best efforts to adhere to those instructions and cannot return the borrowed Foreign Security during the period imposed by Lender. IN the event that a return is made without the approval of Lender, Borrower will be liable for any losses, expenses or other costs related to the corporate action."
7. Section 9.2. The following is added to the end of the Section 9.2, as such
Section is amended by Schedule B to the Agreement: "Borrower shall deliver
such additional Collateral by 1:00 p.m. New York time on the U.S. Business
Day next following the Business Day on which the market value of the
Collateral does not equal or exceed the Margin Percentage of the Market
Value of the Loaned Foreign Securities plus, in the case of Fixed Income
Securities, 100% of accrued interest".
8. Section 12.5. The words "U.S. Business Day" shall replace "Business Day" in Section 12.5 as such Section is amended by Schedule B to the Agreement.
9. Section 24. A new Section 24.3 is added to the Agreement:
24.3 Lender and/or Borrower may from time to time appoint agents for the purpose of carrying out all or a portion of their respective custodial responsibilities under this Agreement. To the extent that Lender or Borrower has notified the other party in writing of the name and address of such agent, delivery and redelievery of Foreign Securities Loaned under this Agreement may be effectuated through such agent.
10. Australian Foreign Securities. Section 6.1(a) is modified as follows solely with respect to a Loan of Foreign Securities that are principally cleared and settled in Australia:
After the word Lender at the end of the sentence, the following is inserted "; provided, however, that with respect to Australian Foreign Securities to be returned, Borrower will not terminate a loan of such Foreign Securities from the ex-date minus 5 Business Days through the record date plus 1 Business Day."
11. New Zealand Foreign Securities. Section 6.1(a) is modified as follows solely with respect to a Loan of Foreign Securities that are principally cleared and settled in New Zealand:
After the word Lender at the end of the sentence, the following is inserted "; provided, however, that with respect to any New Zealand Foreign Securities to be returned, Borrower will not terminate a loan of such Foreign Securities from the ex-date minus 8 Business Days through the ex-date."
12. South African Foreign Securities. Section 14 to the Agreement is renumbered 14(a), and the following Section 14(b) is added solely with respect to a Loan of Foreign Securities that are principally cleared and settled in South Africa:
"(b) In relation to any Securities issued or traded in South Africa that are ordinarily subject to Un-certificated Securities Tax (UST), in accordance with the South
African Un-certificated Securities Tax Act 44 1998, or Stamp Duty, in accordance with the South African Stamp Duties Act 77 1968, the Borrower undertakes that the transaction (i) will not exceed 12 months in duration and (ii) is undertaken solely for the purpose of allowing the borrower to settle a sale of identical securities.
In the event that actions by the Borrower result in the transaction failing to meet the conditions laid down for an exemption from UST or Stamp Duty the Borrower hereby undertakes to account for and make payment of such taxes for both the original transfer of securities and any subsequent return. Further, the Borrower will also satisfy any fines or levies made by the South African authorities as a result of such failure, and produce evidence on request of the payment of such taxes and any other relevant amount."
13. Section 25.8. The word "or" is deleted between the words "accounts," and "b)", and the following words are added to the end "or (c) such other clearing agency at which Borrower (or Borrower's agent) or Lender (or Lender's agent) maintain accounts".
14. Section 25. A new section 25.51 is added to the Agreement:
"25.51 "U.S. Business Day" shall mean the regular hours of any day on which the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Depository Trust Company, Borrower and Lender are open for business."
Barclays Global Investors, N.A., as agent [Borrower] or trustee for various agency or trust accounts specified in Appendix A By: By: ---------------------------------- -------------------------- Title: Title: ---------------------------------- -------------------------- Date: Date: ---------------------------------- -------------------------- By: ---------------------------------- Title: ---------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- |
Exhibit (h)(20)
April 12, 2007
Barclays Global Investors Funds
Master Investment Portfolio
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Expense Undertaking
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Administration Agreement between Barclays Global Investors Funds ("BGIF") and Barclays Global Investors, N.A. ("BGI") (the "BGIF Administration Agreement") and the Administration Agreement between Master Investment Portfolio ("MIP") and BGI (the "MIP Administration Agreement"), pursuant to which BGI serves as Administrator for BGIF and MIP. In addition, Barclays Global Fund Advisors ("BGFA") and MIP, on behalf of the series of MIP, are parties to investment advisory agreements (the "Advisory Agreements"), pursuant to which BGFA provides investment advisory services to such series and receives compensation for such services at the rates set forth in the Advisory Agreements (each, an "Advisory Fee").
Under the Administration Agreements, BGI is not required to bear the cost of
(1) the compensation of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of MIP or BGIF
("Independent Trustees"), (2) travel expenses of the Independent Trustees in
connection with their attendance at board and other meetings relating to MIP or
BGIF, as applicable, (3) fees and expenses of legal counsel for the Independent
Trustees, and (4) fees and expenses of the independent auditors of BGIF and MIP
(collectively, the "Independent Expenses").
Notwithstanding the BGIF Administration Agreement, BGI hereby agrees to reimburse, or provide an offsetting credit against fees it is entitled to receive from, BGIF in an amount equal to the Independent Expenses.
Notwithstanding the MIP Administration Agreement, for those series of MIP that pay an administration fee to BGI under the MIP Administration Agreement, BGI hereby agrees to reimburse, or provide an offsetting credit against fees it is entitled to receive from, those series of MIP in an amount equal to the Independent Expenses allocable to those series.
In addition, for those series of MIP that do not pay an administration fee to BGI under the MIP Administration Agreement, BGFA agrees to cap the expenses of such series at the rate at which those series of MIP pay an Advisory Fee to BGFA.
This letter is effective as of January 1, 2007 and shall remain in effect until April 30, 2009, unless earlier terminated by the written agreement of (a) MIP and BGFA with
respect to MIP's Independent Expenses or (b) BGIF and BGI with respect to BGIF's Independent Expenses.
Sincerely,
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS, N.A.
By: /s/ Raymund Santiago ------------------------- Name: Raymund Santiago Title: Principal By: /s/ Geoffrey Flynn ------------------------- Name: Geoffrey Flynn Title: Managing Director |
BARCLAYS GLOBAL FUND ADVISORS
By: /s/ Michael Latham ------------------------- Name: Michael Latham Title: Managing Director By: /s/ Steven Wong ------------------------- Name: Steven Wong Title: Principal |
Exhibit (h)(21)
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
BANK AGENCY AGREEMENT
____________, 200_
Ladies and Gentlemen:
SEI Investments Distribution Co., a Pennsylvania corporation, serves as distributor (the "Distributor") of Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Funds"), an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Funds offer their Class R shares ("Shares") to the public in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Funds' Prospectus. As used in this Agreement, the term "Prospectus" means the applicable Fund's prospectus and related statement of additional information, whether in paper format or electronic format, included in the Fund's then currently effective registration statement (or post-effective amendment thereto), and any information that the Distributor or the Funds may issue to you as a supplement to such prospectus or statement of additional information, all as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). You ("Bank Agent") are a division or affiliate of a bank (the "Bank") and desire to make Shares available to your customers ("Customers") on the following terms:
1. Bank Agency; Services. You are hereby designated a Bank Agent and as
such are authorized (i) to accept orders for the purchase of Shares of the
Funds as noted on Schedule I and to transmit to the Funds such orders and the
payment made therefor, (ii) to accept orders for the redemption of Shares and
to transmit to the Funds such orders and all additional material, including any
certificates for Shares, as may be required to complete the redemption, and
(iii) to assist shareholders with the foregoing and other matters relating to
their investments in the Funds, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act,
including Rule 22c-1 thereunder.
In performing the services described in this Agreement you will provide such office space and equipment, telephone facilities and personnel (which may be any part of the space, equipment and facilities currently used by your business or any personnel employed by you) as may be reasonably necessary or beneficial to provide such services.
Your Customers may be certain employee benefit plans ("Plans") for which you may provide administrative services comprised of recordkeeping, trustee, reporting, processing and transfer agency services, as well as services related to the investment of plan assets in Funds specified by a Plan representative, generally upon the direction of Plan participants.
You agree to make Shares available to your Customers only at the applicable public offering price in accordance with the Prospectus. If your Customer qualifies for a reduced sales charge pursuant to a special purchase plan (for example, a quantity discount, letter of intent, or right of accumulation) as described in the Prospectus, you agree to make Shares available to your Customer at the applicable reduced sales charge.
You agree that if you hold Shares in an omnibus account for two or more Customers, you will be responsible for determining, in accordance with the Prospectus, whether, and the extent to which, a contingent deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar fee is applicable to a purchase or redemption of Shares from such a Customer, and you agree to transmit immediately to the applicable Fund any contingent deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar fee to which such purchase was subject. You hereby represent that if you hold Shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, redemption fee or similar fee, you have the capability to track and account for such charge or fees. You further agree to otherwise administer and maintain the omnibus account so that the terms and conditions of the Prospectus, including those set forth above, apply to each Customer, subject to such procedures, if any, that the Distributor may from time to time issue to you. The Funds reserve the right, at their discretion, to verify your compliance with the terms and conditions of the Prospectus by inspecting your tracking and accounting system or otherwise.
You are to review each Share purchase or redemption order submitted to the Funds through you or with your assistance for completeness and accuracy.
You agree to order Shares only to cover purchase orders that you have already received from your Customers. You will not withhold placing Customers' orders so as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding (for example, by a change in a Fund's net asset value from that used in determining the offering price to your Customers) or place orders for Shares in amounts just below the point at which sales charges are reduced so at to benefit from a higher sales charge applicable to an amount below a breakpoint. You further agree that you will place orders immediately upon their receipt and will not withhold any order so as to profit therefrom. You represent that any order, instruction and/or related information transmitted to the Funds by you for the purchase, redemption or exchange of Shares has been authorized by your Customers.
You further agree that you will undertake from time to time certain
shareholder communication activities as necessary or appropriate for your
Customers who have purchased Shares. You may perform these duties yourself or
subcontract them to a third party of your choice. These shareholder
communication activities may include one or more of the following services:
(i) responding to Customer inquiries relating to the services performed by you;
(ii) responding to routine inquiries from Customers concerning their
investments in Shares; and (iii) providing such other similar services as may
be reasonably requested by the Distributor to the extent you are permitted to
do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
In addition, you agree to perform one or more of the following
administrative services as necessary or appropriate for your Customers and the
Funds: (i) establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to
Customers that invest in Shares, including taxpayer identification numbers;
(ii) processing dividend and distribution payments from the Funds on behalf of
Customers; (iii) providing information periodically to Customers showing their
positions in Shares; (iv) forwarding sales literature and advertising provided
by the Distributor or the Funds; (v) arranging for bank wires; (vi) providing
subaccounting with respect to Shares owned of record or beneficially by
Customers or providing the information to the Funds necessary for
subaccounting; (vii) if required by law, forwarding shareholder communications
from the Funds (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual
financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to Customers;
(viii) assisting in processing
purchase, exchange and redemption requests from Customers and in placing such orders with the Funds' service contractors; and (ix) assisting Customers in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses.
Finally, you specifically agree to:
(i) if you are a broker-dealer, provide monthly sales and asset level statistics for each Fund sorted by state, branch and broker;
(ii) if you are a broker-dealer, provide professional research coverage for the Funds;
(iii) disseminate the Funds' Prospectuses and such other educational or marketing materials as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time;
(iv) if you are a broker-dealer, provide the Funds' marketing representatives with reasonable access to your offices and branches so as to allow such representatives to provide educational services with respect to the Funds; and
(v) provide such other services analogous to the foregoing as you customarily provide to your Customers with respect to holdings of shares of open-end investment companies or as the Distributor or the Funds may reasonably request to the extent you are permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
In performing the services described in this Agreement, you will provide such office space and equipment, telephone facilities and personnel (which may be any part of the space, equipment and facilities currently used by your business or any personnel employed by you) as may be reasonably necessary or beneficial to provide such services.
2. Agreement to Provide Shareholder Information.
a. As instructed by you, the Fund's transfer agent will open accounts on the Fund's books and records (each, an "account") in order to process Share purchase and redemption requests for you and your "Shareholders" (as that term is defined below). You agree to provide the Fund, or its designee, upon written request, the taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), if known, of any or all Shareholders; the name or other identifier of any investment professionals associated with the Shareholders or account (if known); and the amount, date, and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Shares held through an account during the period covered by the request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not required to provide any information under this Section until the SEC designated Rule 22c-2 compliance date (currently established as October 16, 2006 in SEC Release No. IC-26728).
b. You agree to transmit the requested information that is on your books
and records to the Fund, or its designee, promptly, but in any event not later
than five (5) business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested
information is not on your books and records, you agree to use best efforts to:
(i) promptly obtain and transmit the requested information; or (ii) obtain
assurances from the accountholder that the requested information will be
provided directly to the Fund promptly. In such instance, you agree to inform
the Fund whether you plan to perform (i)
or (ii). Responses required by this paragraph must be communicated in writing, which writing may be an electronic or a facsimile transmission, and in a format mutually agreed upon by the parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information provided to the Fund, or its designee, should be consistent with the NSCC Standardized Data Reporting Format.
c. All requests from the Fund will set forth a specific period for which transaction information is sought, which period may include each trading day. The Fund, or its designee, may request transaction information as it deems appropriate, including to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing disruptive trading activity in the Fund or dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. The Fund will not use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without your prior written consent.
d. You agree to execute written instructions from the Fund, or its
designee, to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by
any Shareholder specifically identified by the Fund or its designee. Such
instruction can be for any reason deemed appropriate by the Fund or its
designee, including for a Shareholder that has been identified as having
engaged in transactions of the Fund's Shares (directly or indirectly through
your accounts) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of
eliminating or reducing disruptive trading activity in the Fund or dilution of
the value of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. When issuing you instructions,
the Fund, or its designee, will include the TIN, if known, and the specific
restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions will
include an equivalent identifying number of the Shareholder(s) or account(s) or
other agreed upon information. You agree to execute instructions as soon as
reasonably practicable, but not later than five (5) business days after you
receive the instructions and you must provide written confirmation to the Fund,
or its designee, that instructions have been executed. You agree to provide
confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten
(10) business days after the instructions have been executed.
e. For purposes of this Section, the term "Shareholder" means: (i) a beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held directly or by you in nominee name; (ii) an employee benefit, retirement or other plan participant notwithstanding that the plan may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares; or (iii) a holder of interests in a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract issued by you.
3. Anti-Money Laundering. You represent and warrant that you are in compliance and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") and applicable guidance issued by the SEC and the guidance and rules of National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
You represent and warrant that you have in place an anti-money laundering program that complies with the law in jurisdictions in which Shares are distributed, including applicable provisions of the BSA, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
You agree to take all reasonable steps to determine (i) the true identity of your customers, (ii) the source of your customers' funds and (iii) that your customers are not involved in money
laundering activities. You further agree to comply with any other "know your customer" requirements under applicable law; and to monitor your customers' transactions in order to detect attempted or actual money laundering involving Shares. You further agree to notify the Distributor of any suspicious activity relating to transactions involving Shares.
Upon our reasonable request, you agree to promptly provide the Distributor and/or federal examiners with documentation relating to your anti-money laundering policies and process.
4. Execution of Orders. All orders for the purchase of any Shares shall be executed at the then current public offering price per Share (i.e., the net asset value per Share plus the applicable sales load, if any) and all orders for the redemption or exchange of any Shares shall be executed at the net asset value per Share, plus any applicable redemption charge, or exchange fee, in each case as described in the Prospectus. The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase request at their sole discretion. In this regard, you shall ensure that any orders submitted by you to any Fund for a particular trade date have been received by you prior to such Fund's cut-off time for orders, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such Fund's Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder. In the event an order is received after such cut-off time, you shall ensure that such order is submitted in such a manner so that the order is priced in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder.
If required by law, each transaction shall be confirmed in writing on a fully disclosed basis. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling of each order will be subject to the terms of the Prospectus and such written instructions as may be agreed to by the parties from time to time. Payment for Shares shall be made as specified in the Prospectus. If payment for any purchase order is not received in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus or is not in good order, or if an order for purchase, redemption, exchange, transfer or registration of Shares is changed or altered, the Funds and the Distributor reserve the right, without notice, to cancel the sale, redemption, exchange, transfer or registration and to hold you responsible for any loss sustained as a result thereof. The Funds or the Distributor may, without notice, suspend sales or withdraw the offering of Shares, or make a limited offering of Shares. You represent and warrant that you have procedures in place reasonably designed to ensure that orders received by you are handled in a manner consistent with the Funds' Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder. In addition, you agree that you will not enter into any arrangement to facilitate trading of Shares in a manner inconsistent with the Funds' Prospectus or applicable law.
5. Limitation of Authority. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the Funds or the Shares except those contained in the Prospectus and in such printed information as the Distributor may subsequently prepare. No person is authorized to distribute any sales material relating to the Funds without the prior written approval of the Distributor. You may not distribute or make available to investors any information that the Distributor furnishes you marked "FOR DEALER USE ONLY" or that otherwise indicates that it is confidential or not intended to be distributed to investors.
6. Compensation. As compensation for the services provided hereunder, you may retain any sales charge paid by your Customer pursuant to the Prospectus unless the payment of any such sales charge by your Customer has been waived by the applicable Fund for any reason. The Distributor may also pay you compensation for the services provided hereunder, in the amounts and at the times as the Distributor may determine from time to time with respect to the average daily net asset value of the Shares owned of record or beneficially by your Customers.
Payments to you for performing shareholder and administrative services are made in consideration of such services to shareholders of the applicable Funds, and you hereby represent by your acceptance of such payments that you are providing such services. Your provision of these services is not on behalf of the Funds or the Distributor, and you agree that neither the Funds nor the Distributor is responsible for the manner of your performance of or for any of your acts or omissions in connection with such services.
Payments by the Distributor will be computed and paid in accordance with the applicable distribution plans adopted by the Funds (pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act), as they may be amended from time to time. You acknowledge that any compensation to be paid to you by the Distributor shall be paid from proceeds paid to the Distributor by the Fund pursuant to such distribution plans, and to the extent the Distributor does not receive such proceeds for any reason, the amounts payable to you will be reduced accordingly. Payments made in accordance with a distribution plan may be made for only so long as the distribution plan remains in effect. The Distributor or the Funds may change or discontinue any schedule of payments for services provided hereunder or issue a new schedule upon written notice to you. The current schedule of payments made for services provided hereunder is attached as Schedule I.
In determining the amount payable to you hereunder, the Distributor reserves the right to exclude payment for any services that the Distributor reasonably determines have not been provided in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus and this Agreement.
In the event that you are acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of any of your Customers to whom you are making Shares available, you represent that you have reviewed with competent legal counsel the receipt of compensation of the type described herein and that you have been advised by such counsel that receipt of such compensation by you is permissible under applicable law.
7. Delivery of Prospectuses. You agree to comply, to the extent required by applicable statutes, rules and regulations, with the provisions contained in the Securities Act governing the delivery of a Prospectus to any person to whom you make Shares available. You further agree to deliver, upon Distributor's request, copies of any amended Prospectus to persons whose Shares you are holding as record owner. You further agree to forward, if required by law, shareholder communications from the Fund (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to Customers.
8. Qualification to Act. Each party to this Agreement represents to the other party that it is either (a) a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") or (b) a "bank" as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act
that is not required to register as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act. Each party further represents to the other party that it has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
If the party is a registered broker-dealer, such party represents that it is qualified to act as a broker-dealer in the states where it transacts business, and it is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). It agrees to maintain its broker/dealer registration and qualifications and its NASD membership in good standing throughout the term of this Agreement. . This Agreement will terminate automatically without notice in the event that either party's NASD membership is terminated or suspended. You agree to notify the Distributor in writing of any such action or event that shall cause termination of this Agreement.
You agree that each partner, director, officer, employee or agent of yours who will participate or otherwise be involved in the offer or sale of the shares of the Fund or the performance by you of your duties and activities under this Agreement is either appropriately licensed or exempt from such licensing requirements by the appropriate regulatory agency of each state or other jurisdiction in which you offer and sell Shares of the Fund.
If you are a "bank", you agree to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including the rules and regulations of all applicable federal and state bank regulatory agencies and authorities. This Agreement will terminate automatically without notice in the event that you cease to be a "bank" as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act or in the event that you become subject to broker/dealer registration requirements under the Exchange Act and fail to be so registered.
You agree that in performing the services under this Agreement, you at all times will comply with the Conduct Rules of the NASD, particularly Conduct Rule 2830, and any other regulations or guidelines issued by the NASD. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you agree, to the extent required by applicable law and your applicable federal or state regulator, to provide your Customers a written notice regarding the availability of the NASD Regulation Public Disclosure Program no less than once every calendar year pursuant to NASD Conduct Rule 2280. The notice shall contain (i) the Program hotline telephone number; (ii) the NASD Regulation web site address; and (iii) a statement as to the availability to your Customers of an investor brochure from the NASD that includes information describing the Public Disclosure Program.
You agree that you are responsible for knowing the provisions and policies of the Fund related to breakpoints, if any, and for applying those provisions and policies to the sale of shares to Customers. Moreover, you agree that you will not combine customer orders to reach breakpoints in commissions or for any other purposes whatsoever unless authorized by the then current Prospectus or by the Distributor in writing. Finally, you agree to maintain policies and procedures, including supervisory procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that customers are apprised of, and receive, breakpoint opportunities. You agree to provide the Distributor, upon reasonable request, with a copy of such policies and procedures and such other documentation that will allow us to satisfy the Distributor supervisory and/or compliance obligations under the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the NASD and the SEC.
You agree to be bound by and to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder generally affecting the sale or distribution of mutual fund shares or classes of such shares.
You represent and warrant that you have been duly authorized by proper corporate action to enter into this Agreement and to perform your obligations hereunder, evidence of which corporate action shall be properly maintained and made part of your corporate records.
9. Blue Sky. The Funds have registered an indefinite number of Shares under the Securities Act. The Funds intend to register or qualify in certain states where registration or qualification is required. We will inform you as to the states or other jurisdictions in which the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states. You agree that you will offer Shares to your Customers only in those states where such Shares have been registered, qualified, or an exemption is available. We assume no responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any jurisdiction. We will file with the Department of State in New York a State Notice and a Further State Notice with respect to the Shares, if necessary.
10. Authority of Funds and Bank Agent. The Funds shall have full authority to take such action, as they deem advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the offering of Shares, including the right not to accept any order for the purchase of Shares.
You shall be deemed an independent contractor and nothing in this Agreement shall cause you to be a partner or agent of the Distributor, or an agent of the Funds, and you shall have no authority to act for or represent either the Distributor or the Funds. Neither the Distributor nor any Fund shall be liable for any of your acts or obligations as an agent (for your Customers) under this Agreement. You will not act as "underwriter" or "distributor" of shares, as those terms are used in the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
11. Recordkeeping. You will (i) maintain all records required by law to be kept by you relating to transactions in Shares and, upon request by the Funds, promptly make such records available to the Funds as the Funds may reasonably request in connection with their operations and (ii) promptly notify the Funds if you experience any difficulty in maintaining the records described in the foregoing clauses in an accurate and complete manner. If you hold Shares as a record owner for your Customers, you will be responsible for maintaining all necessary books and Customer account records which reflect their beneficial ownership of Shares, which records shall specifically reflect that you are holding Shares as agent, custodian or nominee for your Customers.
12. Liability. The Distributor shall be under no liability to you hereunder except for its failure to exercise good faith in discharging the obligations expressly assumed by it hereunder. In carrying out your obligations, you agree to act in good faith and without negligence. By your acceptance of this Agreement, you agree to and do release, indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and the Funds and their respective successors and assigns, each of their respective officers and directors, and each person who controls either the Distributor or the Funds within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act against any loss, liability, claim,
damages or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) arising by reason of (i) any direct or indirect actions or inactions of or by you or your officers, employees or agents regarding your responsibilities hereunder for the purchase, redemption, transfer or registration of Shares (or orders relating to the same) by or on behalf of your Customers including violations of the terms and conditions of the Prospectus or applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder, with respect to such orders or (ii) any breach of this Agreement by you or your successors. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to operate as a waiver by the Distributor or you of compliance with any applicable provision of the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
The Distributor shall indemnify and hold you and your affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns, and controlling persons harmless from and against any and all loss, claim, damage, liability and expense (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statements or omissions, made in the Funds' Prospectuses (including the Statement of Additional Information) or any amendment or supplement thereto.
13. Privacy. You represent that you have adopted and implemented procedures to safeguard customer information and records that are reasonably designed to: (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of customer records and information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of customer records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer; (iv) protect against unauthorized disclosure of non-public information to unaffiliated third parties; and (v) otherwise ensure that you are in compliance with Regulation S-P.
14. Amendment. The Distributor may amend this Agreement at any time by ten
(10) days' advance written notice to you, which amendment shall be effective on
the day following this notice period. The first order placed by you subsequent
to the close of such notice period shall be deemed as your acceptance of such
amendment.
15. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party, without penalty, upon ten (10) days' notice to the other party and shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act). This Agreement shall also terminate at any time without penalty in the event the Funds terminate the Distribution Agreement between the Funds and the Distributor.
You agree to notify us promptly and to immediately suspend making Shares
available to your Customers in the event that (i) an application for a
protective decree under the provisions of the Securities Investor Protection
Act of 1970 is filed against you; (ii) you file a petition in bankruptcy or a
petition seeking similar relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar
law, or a proceeding is commenced against you seeking such relief; (iii) you
are found by the SEC, the NASD, or any other federal or state regulatory agency
or authority to have materially violated any applicable federal or state law,
rule or regulation arising out of your activities as a bank or broker/dealer;
(iv) you are found by the SEC, the NASD, or any other federal or state
regulatory agency or authority to have violated any applicable federal or state
law, rule or
regulation in connection with this Agreement; or (v) you cease to be a member
in good standing of the NASD or you cease to be a "bank" as defined in
Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act, as applicable. This Agreement will
terminate effective immediately upon the occurrence of any such event; provided
that your obligation to notify us shall survive such termination.
16. Nature of Agreement. You acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has been entered into pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and is subject to the provisions of said Rule (as it may be amended from time to time), as well as any other applicable rules promulgated by the SEC
17. Communications. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery, by postage prepaid mail, or by facsimile machine or a similar means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail). All notices to the Distributor should be given or sent to SEI Investments Distribution Co., One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, Attention: Compliance Officer. Any notice to you shall be given or sent to you at the address specified by you below.
18. Severability; Governing Law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a decision in a judicial or administrative proceeding, statute, rule or otherwise, the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be impaired thereby. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
19. Investigations and Proceedings. The parties to this Agreement agree to cooperate fully in any securities regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding with respect to each party's activity under this Agreement and promptly notify the other party of any such investigation or proceeding.
20. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the undersigned contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the indemnity agreement contained in Section 12 hereof, shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
21. Captions. All captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only, are not a part hereof, and are not to be used in construing or interpreting any aspect hereof.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all previous agreements and/or understandings of the parties.
(The remainder of this page has been left intentionally blank. The signature page follows).
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Distributor both copies of this agreement.
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
Title:
Confirmed and accepted:
Firm Name:
(please provide full legal name)
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: When you request to enter into a selling agreement, we will ask your name, address, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure your identity. The Distributor is required by law to reject your request if the required identifying information is not provided. In certain instances, the Distributor is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify your identity, and the Distributor shall have no obligation with respect to the terms of any such document.
To enable the processing of this Agreement, please provide the following information. This information is being solicited in order for the Distributor and the Funds to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Failure to complete the following will delay, and possibly prevent, the Distributor from processing this Agreement.
Firm's Tax Identification Number (TIN): -------------------------------------
SCHEDULE 1
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Annual 12b-1 Fee Rate -------------- LifePath Retirement Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2010 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2020 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2030 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2040 Portfolio Class R 0.25% |
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Barclays Global Investors Funds on March 15, 2007.
Exhibit (h)(22)
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
SUB-DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
__________20__
Ladies and Gentlemen:
SEI Investments Distribution Co., a Pennsylvania corporation serves as distributor (the "Distributor") of Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Funds"), an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Funds offer their shares ("Shares") to the public in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Funds' Prospectus. The term "Prospectus" used herein refers to all of the prospectuses on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are part of the Funds' registration statement under the Investment Company Act and the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). In connection with the foregoing you may serve as a participating dealer for the Funds ("Participating Dealer") and, therefore, accept orders for the purchase or redemption of Shares and perform other related functions subject to the following terms and conditions:
1. Participating Dealer. You are hereby designated a Participating Dealer and as such are authorized (i) to accept orders for the purchase of Shares of the Funds, as specified in Schedule 1, as it may be amended from time to time, and to transmit to the Funds such orders and the payment made therefor, (ii) to accept orders for the redemption of Shares and to transmit to the Funds such orders and all additional material, including any certificates for Shares, as may be required to complete the redemption, and (iii) to assist shareholders with the foregoing and other matters relating to their investments in the Funds and to the distribution of Shares, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder. You are to review each Share purchase or redemption order submitted through you or with your assistance for completeness and accuracy.
In performing the services described in this Agreement, you will provide such office space and equipment, telephone facilities and personnel (which may be any part of the space, equipment and facilities currently used by your business or any personnel employed by you) as may be reasonably necessary or beneficial to provide such services.
In order to promote the sale of the Funds, you agree to:
(i) provide monthly sales and asset level statistics for each Fund sorted by state, branch and broker;
(ii) provide professional research coverage for the Funds and/or provide distribution of the Funds' educational or marketing materials as requested by the Distributor;
(iii) provide the Funds' marketing representatives with reasonable access to your offices and branches so as to allow such representatives to provide broker education through sales meetings and other broker contact; and
(iv) provide such other services analogous to the foregoing as you customarily provide to clients with respect to holdings of shares of open-end investment companies or exchange-listed stocks or as the Distributor or the Fund may reasonably request to the extent you are permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
2. Agreement to Provide Shareholder Information.
a. As instructed by you, the Fund's transfer agent will open accounts on the Fund's books and records (each, an "account") in order to process Share purchase and redemption requests for you and your "Shareholders" (as that term is defined below). You agree to provide the Fund, or its designee, upon written request, the taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), if known, of any or all Shareholders; the name or other identifier of any investment professionals associated with the Shareholders or account (if known); and the amount, date, and transaction type (purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange) of every purchase, redemption, transfer, or exchange of Shares held through an account during the period covered by the request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you are not required to provide any information under this Section until the SEC designated Rule 22c-2 compliance date (currently established as October 16, 2006 in SEC Release No. IC-26728).
b. You agree to transmit the requested information that is on your books
and records to the Fund, or its designee, promptly, but in any event not later
than five (5) business days, after receipt of a request. If the requested
information is not on your books and records, you agree to use best efforts to:
(i) promptly obtain and transmit the requested information; or (ii) obtain
assurances from the accountholder that the requested information will be
provided directly to the Fund promptly. In such instance, you agree to inform
the Fund whether you plan to perform (i) or (ii). Responses required by this
paragraph must be communicated in writing, which writing may be an electronic
or a facsimile transmission, and in a format mutually agreed upon by the
parties. To the extent practicable, the format for any transaction information
provided to the Fund, or its designee, should be consistent with the NSCC
Standardized Data Reporting Format.
c. All requests from the Fund will set forth a specific period for which transaction information is sought, which period may include each trading day. The Fund may request transaction information as it deems appropriate, including to investigate compliance with policies established by the Fund for the purpose of eliminating or reducing disruptive trading activity in the Fund or dilution of the value of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. The Fund will not use the information received for marketing or any other similar purpose without your prior written consent.
d. You agree to execute written instructions from the Fund, or its designee, to restrict or prohibit further purchases or exchanges of Shares by any Shareholder specifically identified by the Fund or its designee. Such instruction can be for any reason deemed appropriate by the Fund or its designee, including for a Shareholder that has been identified as having engaged in transactions of the Fund's Shares (directly or indirectly through your
accounts) that violate policies established by the Fund for the purpose of
eliminating or reducing disruptive trading activity in the Fund or dilution of
the value of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. When issuing you instructions,
the Fund, or its designee, will include the TIN, if known, and the specific
restriction(s) to be executed. If the TIN is not known, the instructions will
include an equivalent identifying number of the Shareholder(s) or account(s) or
other agreed upon information. You agree to execute instructions as soon as
reasonably practicable, but not later than five (5) business days after you
receive the instructions and you must provide written confirmation to the Fund,
or its designee, that instructions have been executed. You agree to provide
confirmation as soon as reasonably practicable, but not later than ten
(10) business days after the instructions have been executed.
e. For purposes of this Section, the term "Shareholder" means: (i) the beneficial owner of Shares, whether the Shares are held directly or by you in nominee name; (ii) the employee benefit, retirement or other plan participant notwithstanding that the plan may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of Shares; or (iii) the holder of interests in a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract issued by you.
3. Anti-Money Laundering. You represent and warrant that you are in compliance and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA") and applicable guidance issued by the SEC and the guidance and rules of National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
You represent and warrant that you have in place an anti-money laundering program that complies with the law in jurisdictions in which Shares are distributed, including applicable provisions of the BSA, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
You agree to take all reasonable steps to determine (i) the true identity of your customers, (ii) the source of your customers' funds and (iii) that your customers are not involved in money laundering activities. You further agree to comply with any other "know your customer" requirements under applicable law; and to monitor your customers' transactions in order to detect attempted or actual money laundering involving Shares. You further agree to notify the Distributor of any suspicious activity relating to transactions involving Shares.
Upon our reasonable request, you agree to promptly provide the Distributor and/or federal examiners with documentation relating to your anti-money laundering policies and process.
4. Execution of Orders for Purchases and Redemptions of Shares. All orders for the purchase of any Shares shall be executed at the then current public offering price per Share (i.e., the net asset value per Share plus the applicable sales load, if any) and all orders for the redemption (or exchange) of any Shares shall be executed at the net asset value per Share, plus any applicable redemption charge (or exchange fee), in each case as described in the Prospectus. The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase request at their sole discretion. In this regard, you shall ensure that any orders submitted by you to a Fund for a particular trade date have been received by you prior to such Fund's cut-off time for orders, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in such Fund's prospectus and
applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder. In the event an order is received after such cut-off time, you shall ensure that such order is submitted in such a manner so that the order is priced in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder.
If required by law, each transaction shall be confirmed in writing on a fully disclosed basis. The procedures relating to all orders and the handling of each order will be subject to the terms of the Prospectus and the Distributor's written instructions to you from time to time. Payment for Shares shall be made as specified in the Prospectus. If payment for any purchase order is not received in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus or if an order for purchase, redemption, exchange, transfer or registration of Shares is changed or altered, the Funds and the Distributor reserve the right, without notice, to cancel the sale, redemption, exchange, transfer or registration and to hold you responsible for any loss sustained as a result thereof. You represent and warrant that you have procedures in place reasonably designed to ensure that orders received by you are handled in a manner consistent with the Funds' Prospectus and applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder. In addition, you agree that you will not enter into any arrangement to facilitate trading of Shares in a manner inconsistent with the Funds' Prospectus or applicable law.
5. Limitation of Authority. No person is authorized to make any representations concerning the Funds, or the Shares except those contained in the Prospectus and in such printed information as the Distributor may subsequently prepare. No person is authorized to distribute any sales material relating to the Funds without the prior written approval of the Distributor. You may not distribute or make available to investors any information that the Distributor furnishes you marked "FOR DEALER USE ONLY" or that otherwise indicates that it is confidential or not intended to be distributed to investors.
6. Compensation. As compensation hereunder, you may retain any sales charge paid by your customer pursuant to the Prospectus unless the payment of any such sales charge by your customer has been waived by the Fund for any reason. The Distributor may also pay you compensation for the services provided hereunder, in the amounts and at the times as the Distributor may determine from time to time with respect to the average daily net asset value of the Shares owned of record or beneficially by your customers. Payments by the Distributor will be computed and paid in accordance with the applicable distribution plans adopted by the Funds (pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act or otherwise), as they may be amended from time to time. You acknowledge that any compensation to be paid to you by the Distributor shall be paid from proceeds paid to the Distributor by the Fund pursuant to such distribution plans, and to the extent the Distributor does not receive such proceeds for any reason, the amounts payable to you will be reduced accordingly. Payments made in accordance with a distribution plan may be made only so long as the distribution plan remains in effect. The Distributor or the Funds may change or discontinue any schedule of payments for services provided hereunder or issue a new schedule upon written notice to you. The current schedule of payments made for services provided hereunder is attached as Schedule I. In determining the amount payable to you hereunder, the Distributor reserves the right to exclude any sales that the Distributor reasonably determines have not been made in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus and this Agreement.
7. Prospectus and Reports. You agree to comply with the provisions contained in the Securities Act governing the delivery of a Prospectus to any person to whom you offer Shares. You further agree to deliver, upon our request, copies of any amended Prospectus to persons whose Shares you are holding as record owner. You further agree to forward, if required by law, shareholder communications from the Fund (such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual and semi-annual financial statements and dividend, distribution and tax notices) to Customers.
8. Qualification to Act. You represent that you are either (a) a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or (b) exempt under federal and state securities laws from registration as a broker or dealer, and have been duly authorized by proper corporate action to enter into this Agreement and to perform your obligations hereunder, evidence of which corporate action shall be properly maintained and made part of your corporate records.
If you are a member of the NASD, your expulsion or suspension from the NASD will automatically terminate this Agreement on the effective date of such expulsion or suspension. If you are exempt under federal and state securities laws from registration as a broker or dealer, you represent that you possess the legal authority to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement without violating applicable law, and this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event that you no longer possess such authority. You agree that you will not offer Shares to persons in any jurisdiction in which you may not lawfully make such offer due to the fact that you have not registered under, or are not exempt from, the applicable registration or licensing requirements of such jurisdiction. You agree to notify the Distributor in writing of any such action or event that shall cause termination of this Agreement.
You agree that each partner, director, officer, employee or agent of yours who will participate or otherwise be involved in the offer or sale of the Shares of the Fund or the performance by you of your duties and activities under this Agreement is either appropriately licensed or exempt from such licensing requirements by the appropriate regulatory agency of each state or other jurisdiction in which you offer and sell Shares of the Fund.
You agree that in performing the services under this Agreement, you at all times will comply with the Conduct Rules of the NASD, particularly Conduct Rule 2830, and any other regulations or guidelines issued by the NASD. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you agree to provide your Customers a written notice regarding the availability of the NASD Regulation Public Disclosure Program no less than once every calendar year pursuant to NASD Conduct Rule 2280. The notice shall contain (i) the Program hotline telephone number; (ii) the NASD Regulation web site address; and (iii) a statement as to the availability to your Customers of an investor brochure from the NASD that includes information describing the Public Disclosure Program.
You agree that you are responsible for knowing the provisions and policies of the Fund related to breakpoints, if any, and for applying those provisions and policies to the sale of shares to Customers. Moreover, you agree that you will not combine customer orders to reach breakpoints in commissions or for any other purposes whatsoever unless authorized by the then current Prospectus or by us in writing. You further agree that you will not withhold placing Customers' orders for Shares so as to profit yourself as a result of such withholding or place
orders for shares in amounts just below the point at which sales charges are reduced so at to benefit from a higher sales charge applicable to an amount below a breakpoint. You further agree that you will place orders immediately upon their receipt and will not withhold any order so as to profit therefrom. Finally, you agree to maintain policies and procedures, including supervisory procedures, reasonably designed to ensure that customers are apprised of, and receive, breakpoint opportunities. You agree to provide the Distributor, upon reasonable request, with a copy of such policies and procedures and such other documentation that will allow the Distributor to satisfy the Distributor's supervisory and/or compliance obligations under the applicable laws, rules and regulations of the NASD and the SEC.
You agree to be bound by and to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder generally affecting the sale or distribution of mutual fund shares or classes of such shares.
You represent and warrant that you have been duly authorized by proper corporate action to enter into this Agreement and to perform your obligations hereunder, evidence of which corporate action shall be properly maintained and made part of your corporate records.
9. Blue Sky. The Funds have registered an indefinite number of Shares under the Securities Act. The Funds intend to register or qualify in certain states where registration or qualification is required. We will inform you as to the states or other jurisdictions in which the Shares have been qualified for sale under, or are exempt from the requirements of, the respective securities laws of such states. You agree that you will offer Shares to your customers only in those states where such Shares have been registered, qualified, or an exemption is available. We assume no responsibility or obligation as to your right to sell Shares in any jurisdiction. We will file with the Department of State in New York a State Notice and a Further State Notice with respect to the Shares, if necessary.
10. Authority of Funds and Participating Dealer. The Funds shall have full authority to take such action, as they deem advisable in respect of all matters pertaining to the offering of its Shares, including the right not to accept any order for the purchase of Shares. You shall be deemed an independent contractor and not an agent of the Funds, for all purposes hereunder and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Funds. You will not act as an "underwriter" or "distributor" of shares, as those terms are used in the Investment Company Act, the Securities Act, and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
11. Recordkeeping. You will (i) maintain all records required by law to be kept by you relating to transactions in Shares and, upon request by the Funds, promptly make such records available to the Funds as the Funds may reasonably request in connection with their operations and (ii) promptly notify the Funds if you experience any difficulty in maintaining the records described in the foregoing clauses in an accurate and complete manner. If you hold Shares as a record owner for your customers, you will be responsible for maintaining all necessary books and customer account records which reflect their beneficial ownership of Shares, which records shall specifically reflect that you are holding Shares as agent, custodian or nominee for your customers.
12. Liability. The Distributor shall be under no liability to you
hereunder except for its failure to exercise good faith in discharging the
obligations expressly assumed by it hereunder. In carrying out your
obligations, you agree to act in good faith and without negligence. By your
acceptance of this Agreement, you agree to and do release, indemnify and hold
harmless the Distributor and the Funds and their respective successors and
assigns, each of their respective officers and directors, and each person who
controls either the Distributor or the Funds within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) arising by reason of
(i) any direct or indirect actions or inactions of or by you or your officers,
employees or agents regarding your responsibilities hereunder for the purchase,
redemption, transfer or registration of Shares (or orders relating to the same)
by or on behalf of your customers including violations of the terms and
conditions of the Prospectus or applicable provisions of the Investment Company
Act, including Rule 22c-1 thereunder, with respect to such orders or (ii) any
breach of this Agreement by you or your successors. Nothing contained in this
Agreement is intended to operate as a waiver by the Distributor or you of
compliance with any provision of the Investment Company Act, the Securities
Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Investment Advisors
Act of 1940, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
thereunder.
13. Privacy. You represent that you have adopted and implemented procedures to safeguard customer information and records that are reasonably designed to: (i) ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information; (ii) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of customer records and information; (iii) protect against unauthorized access to or use of customer records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer; (iv) protect against unauthorized disclosure of non-public information to unaffiliated third parties; and (v) otherwise ensure that you are in compliance with Regulation S-P.
14. Amendment. The Distributor may modify this agreement at any time by written notice to you. The first order placed by you subsequent to the giving of such notice shall be deemed as your acceptance of such modification.
15. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party, without penalty, upon ten (10) days' notice to the other party and shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act). This Agreement shall also automatically terminate at any time without penalty in the event the Funds terminate the Distribution Agreement between the Funds and the Distributor.
16. Nature of Agreement. You acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has been entered into pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, and is subject to the provisions of said Rule (as it may be amended from time to time), as well as any other applicable rules promulgated by the SEC
17. Communications. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and delivered by personal delivery, by postage prepaid mail, or by facsimile machine or a similar means of same day delivery (with a confirming copy by mail). All notices to the Distributor should be sent to SEI Investments Distribution Co., One
Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, Attention: Compliance Officer. Any notice to you shall be duly given or sent to you at the address specified by you below.
18. Severability and Governing Law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a decision in a judicial or administrative proceeding, statute, rule or otherwise, the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement will not be impaired thereby. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
19. Investigations and Proceedings. The parties to this Agreement agree to cooperate fully in any securities regulatory investigation or proceeding or judicial proceeding with respect to each party's activity under this Agreement and promptly notify the other party of any such investigation or proceeding.
20. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the undersigned contained in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the indemnity agreement contained in Section 12 hereof, shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
21. Captions. All captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only, are not a part hereof, and are not to be used in construing or interpreting any aspect hereof.
22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all previous agreements and/or understandings of the parties.
(The remainder of this page has been left intentionally blank. The signature page follows).
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us both copies of this agreement.
SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO.
By: -----------------------------------
Name: -----------------------------------
Title: Vice President, SEI Investments Distribution Co.
Confirmed and accepted:
Firm Name:
(please provide full legal name)
By: ---------------------------------
(Authorized Signature)
Name:
Title: ---------------------------------
Date: ---------------------------------
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: When you request to enter into a selling agreement, we will ask your name, address, and other information that will allow us to identify you. This information will be verified to ensure your identity. The Distributor is required by law to reject your request if the required identifying information is not provided. In certain instances, the Distributor is required to collect documents to fulfill its legal obligation. Documents provided in connection with your application will be used solely to establish and verify your identity, and the Distributor shall have no obligation with respect to the terms of any such document.
To enable the processing of this Agreement, please provide the following information. This information is being solicited in order for the Distributor and the Funds to comply with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Failure to complete the following will delay, and possibly prevent, the Distributor from processing this Agreement.
SCHEDULE 1
BARCLAYS GLOBAL INVESTORS FUNDS
Annual 12b-1 Fee Rate ------------ LifePath Retirement Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2010 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2020 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2030 Portfolio Class R 0.25% LifePath 2040 Portfolio Class R 0.25% |
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Barclays Global Investors Funds on March 15, 2007.
Exhibit (i)
LOGO OF WILMERHALE
April 30, 2007
Barclays Global Investors Funds
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Re: Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Barclays Global Investors Funds' Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 033-54126; 811-07332)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As counsel to Barclays Global Investors Funds (the "Trust"), we have reviewed post-effective amendment no. 59 to the Trust's registration statement (the "Amendment"), prepared by the Trust for electronic filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We hereby represent, pursuant to Rule 485(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), that the Amendment does not in our view contain disclosure that would make it ineligible to become effective pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act.
We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to us under the caption "Legal Counsel" in the statements of additional information, which are included as part of the Amendment. In addition, we hereby consent to your filing this letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with the Amendment. Except as provided in this paragraph, this letter may not be relied upon by, or filed with, any other parties or used for any other purpose.
Very truly yours,
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND
DORR LLP
By: /s/ Leonard A. Pierce ----------------------------- Leonard A. Pierce Partner |
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 Baltimore Beijing Berlin Boston Brussels London New York Oxford Palo Alto Waltham Washington
Exhibit (j)(i)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the registration statement on Form N-1A ("Registration Statement") of our reports dated February 22, 2007, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the December 31, 2006 Annual Reports to Shareholders of the Bond Index Fund, Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Money Market Fund, LifePath Retirement Portfolio, LifePath 2010 Portfolio, LifePath 2020 Portfolio, LifePath 2030 Portfolio, LifePath 2040 Portfolio, Prime Money Market Fund, S&P 500 Stock Index Fund and the Treasury Money Market Fund each a series of Barclays Global Investors Funds, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.
We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our reports dated February 22, 2007, relating to the financial statements which appear in the December 31, 2006 Annual Reports to Interestholders of the Active Stock Master Portfolio, Bond Index Master Portfolio, CoreAlpha Bond Master Portfolio, Money Market Master Portfolio, Government Money Market Master Portfolio, LifePath Retirement Master Portfolio, LifePath 2010 Master Portfolio, LifePath 2020 Master Portfolio, LifePath 2030 Master Portfolio, LifePath 2040 Master Portfolio, Prime Money Market Portfolio, S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio and Treasury Money Market Master Portfolio, each a portfolio of Master Investment Portfolio, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.
We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights" and "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Francisco, California April 27, 2007 |