As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2014
1933 Act File No. 333-30810
1940 Act File No. 811-09819
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 | x |
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x |
Amendment No. 67
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
P.O. Box 5049, Boston, Massachusetts 02206
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(617) 662-1742
(Registrants Telephone Number)
David James, Secretary
State Street Bank and Trust Company
4 Copley Place, 5 th floor
Boston, MA 02116
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Timothy W. Diggins, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
x | Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485. |
¨ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) 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. |
Explanatory Note
This post-effective amendment contains the prospectus and statement of additional information relating to the following series and class of shares of the registrant:
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State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund - Class G |
This post-effective amendment is not intended to update or amend any other prospectuses or statements of additional information of the registrants other series or classes.
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
Class G: SSGOX
Prospectus Dated September 9, 2014
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS 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.
THE FUND OFFERS MULTIPLE CLASSES OF SHARES. THIS PROSPECTUS COVERS ONLY THE G CLASS SHARES.
Fund Summary |
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State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
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12 | ||||
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The investment objective of State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the U.S. Government Fund or sometimes referred to in context as the Fund) is to seek to maximize current income, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (NAV).
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the U.S. Government Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Funds proportionate share of the expenses of State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (the U.S. Government Portfolio or sometimes referred to in context as the Portfolio).
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)
Management Fee |
0.05 | % | ||
Distribution (12b-1) Fees |
0.00 | % | ||
Other Expenses |
0.03 | % | ||
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (2) |
0.08 | % | ||
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(1) |
Amounts reflect the total expenses of the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Fund. |
(2) |
The Funds investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSgA FM), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Advisers sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Funds expenses and reduce the Funds yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the U.S. Government Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Funds operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year |
3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||
$8 | $26 | $45 | $103 |
Principal Investment Strategies
The U.S. Government Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the U.S. Government Portfolio.
The U.S. Government Portfolio invests only in obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as repurchase agreements secured by such instruments.
The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income, by investing in U.S. government securities. Among other things, SSgA FM, the Portfolios investment adviser, conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds. Regulations require, among other things, a money market fund to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.
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The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in:
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Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
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Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
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Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities |
Principal Investment Risks
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it 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.
In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:
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Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments: |
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Interest Rate Risk The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolios investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline. |
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Credit Risk The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived as unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the market value of the instrument will fall as a result. |
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Liquidity Risk The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for such |
securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio. |
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Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk Applicable primarily to mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, the risks that loan obligations may be repaid faster or slower than expected, causing the Portfolio to invest repayment proceeds in, or continue to hold, lower yielding securities, as the case may be. |
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Master/Feeder Structure Risk: The Funds performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolios investment program. |
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U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises Risk: Securities of certain U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and to the extent the Portfolio owns such securities, it must look to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the securities for repayment. Because the Portfolio emphasizes investment in U.S. government securities, and because U.S. government securities generally are perceived as having low risks compared to most other types of investments, the Portfolios performance compared to money market funds that invest principally in other types of money market instruments may be lower. |
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Significant Exposure to U.S. Government Agencies Risk: To the extent the Portfolio focuses its investments in securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, any market price movements, regulatory changes or changes in political or economic conditions that affect the U.S. government agencies in which the Portfolio invests may have a significant impact on the Portfolios performance. Events that would adversely affect the market prices of securities issued or guaranteed by one government agency may adversely affect the market price of securities issued or guaranteed by other government agencies. |
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Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Defaults, or perceived increases in the risk of defaults, on the loans underlying mortgage-related or asset-backed securities may impair the values of the securities. These |
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securities also present a higher degree of prepayment risk (when repayment of principal occurs before scheduled maturity) and extension risk (when rates of repayment of principal are slower than expected) than do other types of fixed income securities. |
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Repurchase Agreement Risk: In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. If the Portfolios counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the Portfolio may be unable to recover its purchase price and may be prevented or delayed from realizing on the security to make up any losses. |
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Stable Share Price Risk: If the market value of one or more of the Portfolios investments changes substantially, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests. |
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Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk: At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Funds yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income. |
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Market Risk: The values of the securities in which the Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. |
calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time. |
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Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk: The Portfolio may purchase variable and floating rate securities, whose interest rates change based on changes in market interest rates. As a result, the interest paid on such securities will tend to fall as market interest rates fall generally, and the interest rates on such securities may not rise as rapidly as general market rates. |
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Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk: In July 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted regulatory changes that will affect the structure and operation of money market funds. The revised regulations impose new liquidity requirements on money market funds, permit (and in some cases require) money market funds to impose liquidity fees on redemptions, and permit money market funds to impose gates restricting redemptions from the funds. Institutional money market funds will be required to have a floating NAV. (U.S. government money market funds are exempt from a number of the new regulations.) There are a number of other changes under the revised regulations that relate to diversification, disclosure, reporting and stress testing requirements. These changes and other proposed amendments to the regulations governing money market funds could significantly affect the money market fund industry generally and the operation or performance of the Fund specifically and may have significant adverse effects on a money market funds investment return and on the liquidity of investments in money market funds. |
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the U.S. Government Fund by illustrating the variability of the Funds returns for Premier Class shares (formerly, the Institutional Class shares) during the years since inception. The Funds past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Performance history will be available for the Class G shares of the Fund after it has been in operation for one
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calendar year. Returns of this share class could have been similar to the returns shown for Premier Class shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share class does not have the same expenses as Premier Class shares. Class G shares are generally expected to incur lower expenses than Premier Class shares.
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Total Return for the Calendar Years Ended December 31
Returns would have been lower if operating expenses had not been reduced. During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 0.83% (quarter ended 3/31/08) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.00% (quarter ended 9/30/13).
Average Annual Total Returns For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
Premier Class
1-Year | 5-Year |
Since the Inception
Date of the Fund |
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State Street
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0.01 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.54 | % |
To obtain the Funds current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.
Investment Adviser
SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to Other Information on page 7 of the prospectus.
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Other Information on page 7 of the prospectus.
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Funds initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases.
To establish an account |
$1,000,000,000 | |
To add to an existing account |
None |
You may redeem Fund shares on any day the Fund is open for business.
By Mail: State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, MA 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: State Street Funds 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
By Intermediary: If you wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a broker, bank or other financial intermediary (Intermediary), please contact that financial intermediary directly. Your financial intermediary may have different or additional requirements for opening an account and/or for the processing of purchase and redemption orders, or may be closed at times when the Fund is open.
Intermediaries may contact State Street Dealer Services Group at (866) 392-0869 or email them at broker-dealerservices@statestreet.com with questions. |
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys Website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND AND PORTFOLIO
Investment Objectives
The investment objective of the U.S. Government Fund, as stated in the Funds Fund Summary, may be changed without shareholder approval.
U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
Principal Investment Strategies
The U.S. Government Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the U.S. Government Portfolio.
The U.S. Government Portfolio invests only in obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as repurchase agreements secured by such instruments.
The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income, by investing in U.S. government securities. Among other things, the Adviser conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds. Regulations require, among other things, a money market fund to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.
The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in:
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Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities |
issued by GNMA, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
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Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
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Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities |
Additional Information About Risks
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Money Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that it will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. |
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Interest Rate Risk. The values of debt instruments usually rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Declining interest rates generally result in increases in the values of existing debt instruments, and rising interest rates generally result in declines in the values of existing debt instruments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for investments with longer durations or maturities. Some investments give the issuer the option to call or redeem an investment before its maturity date. If an issuer calls or redeems an investment during a time of declining interest rates, the Portfolio might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Adjustable rate instruments also generally increase or decrease in value in response to changes in interest rates, although generally to a lesser degree than fixed-income securities (depending, however, on the characteristics of the reset terms, including the index chosen, frequency of reset, and reset caps or floors, among other factors). When interest rates decline, the income received by the Portfolio may decline, and the Portfolios yield may also decline. Short-term interest rates have been at historically low levels for an extended period due in substantial part to governmental |
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intervention. Any changes in governmental policy could cause interest rates to increase and could have a substantial and immediate effect on the values of the Funds investments. |
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Credit Risk . Credit risk is the risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of a fixed-income security held by the Portfolio may be unable or unwilling, or may be perceived (whether by market participants, ratings agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. It includes the risk that one or more of the securities will be downgraded by a credit rating agency; generally, lower credit quality issuers have higher credit risks. An actual or perceived loss in creditworthiness of an issuer of a fixed-income security held by the Portfolio may result in a decrease in the value of the security. Credit risk also includes the risk that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement with the Portfolio, may default on its payment or repurchase obligation, as the case may be. |
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Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments cannot be disposed of quickly in the normal course of business. The ability of the Portfolio to dispose of such securities at advantageous prices may be greatly limited, and the Portfolio may have to continue to hold such securities during periods when the Adviser would otherwise have sold them. Some securities held by the Portfolio may be restricted as to resale, and there is often no ready market for such securities. In addition, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Market values for illiquid securities may not be readily available, and there can be no assurance that any fair value assigned to an illiquid security at any time will accurately reflect the price the Portfolio might receive upon the sale of that security. It is possible that, during periods of extreme market volatility or unusually high and unanticipated levels of redemptions, the Portfolio may be forced to sell large amounts of securities more quickly than it normally would in the ordinary course of |
business. In such a case, the sale proceeds received by the Portfolio may be substantially less than if the Portfolio had been able to sell the securities in more-orderly transactions, and the sale price may be substantially lower than the price previously used by the Portfolio to value its securities. |
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Stable Share Price Risk. If the market value of one or more of the Portfolios investments changes substantially, the Fund investing in the Portfolio may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests. |
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Master/Feeder Structure Risk. Unlike traditional mutual funds that invest directly in securities, the of the Fund pursues its objective by investing substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio with substantially the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. The ability of the Fund to meet its objective may be adversely affected by the purchase and redemption activities of other investors in the corresponding Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolios investment program. The ability of the Fund to meet redemption requests depends on its ability to redeem its interest in the corresponding Portfolio. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to the corresponding Portfolio. Therefore, conflicts may arise as the Adviser fulfills its fiduciary responsibilities to the Fund and its corresponding Portfolio. For example, the Adviser may have an economic incentive to maintain the Funds investment in the corresponding Portfolio at a time when it might otherwise not choose to do so. |
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Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk. At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Funds yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income. |
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Market Risk. The values of the securities in which the Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Portfolio invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund and Portfolio themselves are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Funds or Portfolios ability to achieve its investment objective. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Portfolio to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Portfolio. |
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Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk: In July 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted regulatory changes that will affect the structure and operation of money market funds. The revised regulations impose new liquidity requirements on money market funds, permit (and in some cases require) money market funds to impose liquidity fees on redemptions, and permit money market funds to impose gates restricting redemptions from the funds. Institutional money market funds will be required to have a floating NAV. (U.S. government money market funds are exempt from a number of the new regulations.) There are a number of other changes under the revised regulations that relate to diversification, disclosure, reporting and stress testing requirements. These changes and other proposed amendments to the regulations governing money market funds could significantly affect the money market fund industry generally and the operation or performance of the Fund specifically and may have significant adverse effects on a money market funds investment return and on the liquidity of investments in money market funds. |
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Repurchase Agreement Risk . In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by the Portfolio which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. The Portfolios investment return on such transactions will depend on the counterparties willingness and ability to perform their obligations under the repurchase agreements. If the Portfolios counterparty should default on its obligations and the Portfolio is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral, or if the value of the collateral is insufficient, the Portfolio may realize a loss. |
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U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises Risk. U.S. Government securities include a variety of securities (including U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) that differ in their interest rates, maturities, and dates of issue. While securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and some agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as the Government National Mortgage Association) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, securities issued or guaranteed by certain other agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as Federal Home Loan Banks) are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government, and securities issued or guaranteed by certain other agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself. Investments in these securities are also subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk, and the risk that the value of the securities will fluctuate in response to political, market, or economic developments. |
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Variable and Floating Rate Securities. In addition to traditional fixed-rate securities, the Portfolio may invest in debt securities with variable or floating interest rates or dividend payments. Variable or floating rate securities bear rates of interest that are adjusted periodically according to formulae intended to reflect market rates of interest. Variable or floating rate securities allow the Portfolio to participate in increases in interest rates through upward adjustments of the coupon rates on such securities. However, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupon rates may |
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lag the change in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increase in coupon rates. Alternatively, during periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates on such securities readjust downward resulting in a lower yield. |
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Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related securities represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are typically structured like mortgage-related securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases on various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements. During periods of falling interest rates, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which typically provide the issuer with the right to prepay the security prior to maturity, may be prepaid, which may result in the Portfolio having to reinvest the proceeds in other investments at lower interest rates. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may extend because of slower-than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the securitys duration and volatility, and reduce the value of the security. As a result, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market values during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayment rates are difficult to predict and the potential impact of prepayments on the value of a mortgage-related or an asset-backed security depends on the terms of the instrument and can result in significant volatility. The price of a mortgage-related or asset-backed security also depends on the credit quality and adequacy of the underlying assets or collateral, if any. Defaults on the underlying assets, if any, may impair the value of an asset-backed or a mortgage-related security. For some asset-backed securities in which the Portfolio invests, such as those backed by credit card receivables, the underlying cash flows may not be supported by a security interest in a related asset. Moreover, the values of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset |
pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain situations, the mishandling of related documentation may also affect the rights of securities holders in and to the underlying collateral, if any. Furthermore, there may be legal and practical limitations on the enforceability of any security interest granted with respect to underlying assets, or the value of the underlying assets, if any, may be insufficient if the issuer defaults. |
In a forward roll transaction, the Portfolio will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The mortgage securities that are purchased will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. Risks of mortgage-related security rolls include: the risk of prepayment prior to maturity and the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Portfolio may decline below the price at which the Portfolio is obligated to purchase the securities. Forward roll transactions may have the effect of creating investment leverage in the Portfolio. |
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Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk. Prepayment risk and extension risk apply primarily to mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities. |
Prepayment risk is the risk that principal on loan obligations underlying a security may be repaid prior to the stated maturity date. If the Portfolio has purchased a security at a premium, any repayment that is faster than expected reduces the market value of the security and the anticipated yield-to-maturity. Repayment of loans underlying certain securities tends to accelerate during periods of declining interest rates. |
Extension risk is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to repay principal on an obligation held by the Portfolio later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates, which could extend the duration of obligations held by the Portfolio and make the values of such obligations more sensitive to changes in interest rates. |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS AND PORTFOLIOS NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investments described below reflect the Funds and Portfolios current practices. In addition to the principal risks described above, other risks are described in some of the descriptions of the investments below:
Temporary Defensive Positions. From time to time, the Portfolio may take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic or other conditions. Temporary defensive positions may be taken, for example, to preserve capital or if the Portfolio is unable to acquire the types of securities in which it normally invests. Temporary defensive positions may include, but are not limited to, investment in U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, the maintenance of uninvested cash, or investment in cash equivalents. The Portfolios holdings in temporary defensive positions may be inconsistent with the Portfolios principal investment strategy, and, as a result, the Portfolio may not achieve its investment objective.
The Funds portfolio holdings disclosure policy is described in the SAI.
The Fund and the Portfolio. The Fund is a separate, diversified series of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust), which is an open-end management investment company organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Fund invests as part of a master-feeder structure. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in its corresponding Portfolio, a separate mutual fund, that has substantially identical investment objective, investment policies, and risks as the Fund. All discussions about the Funds investment objective, policies and risks should be understood to refer also to the investment objectives, policies and risks of the Portfolio.
The Fund can withdraw its investment in the Portfolio if, at any time, the Funds Board of Trustees
determines that it would be in the best interests of the Funds shareholders, or if the investment objectives of the Portfolio changed so that they were inconsistent with the objectives of the Fund. If the Fund withdraws its investment from the Portfolio, the Fund may invest all of its assets in another mutual fund that has the same investment objective as the Fund, the Adviser may directly manage the Funds assets, or the Board may take such other action it deems appropriate and in the best interests of shareholders of the Fund, which may include liquidation of the Fund.
The Adviser. State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. SSgA is one of the worlds largest institutional money managers, and uses quantitative and traditional techniques to manage approximately $2.34 trillion in assets as of December 31, 2013. SSgA FM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation is the investment adviser to the Fund and the Portfolio, and is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. SSgA FM had approximately $334.95 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2013. The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser will manage the Funds assets directly, for compensation paid at an annual rate of 0.05% of the Funds average daily net assets, in the event that the Fund were to cease investing substantially all of its assets in its Portfolio or another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund. The Adviser does not receive any management fees from the Fund under that agreement so long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio or in another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund. The Adviser places all orders for purchases and sales of the Portfolios investments. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the effective management fee paid, reflecting certain fee waivers and expense reimbursements of the Adviser, was 0.03% for the Portfolio.
In addition to any contractual expense limitation for the Fund which is described in the Fund Summary, the Adviser also may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses for the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield which may vary from time to time and from Fund to Fund in the Advisers sole discretion. Under an agreement with the Adviser relating to the Voluntary
12
Reduction, the Fund has agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction beginning on October 1, 2012, subject to certain limitations. The Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Adviser: more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Funds net yield to fall below the Funds minimum net yield as determined by the Advisor in its sole discretion; or in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Funds contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. A reimbursement to the Adviser would increase fund expenses and negatively impact the Funds future yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. Reimbursement payments by the Fund to the Adviser in connection with the Voluntary Reduction are considered extraordinary expenses and are not subject to any contractual expense limitation agreement in effect for the Fund at the time of such payment. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation.
A summary of the factors considered by the Board of Trustees in connection with the renewal of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund is available in the Funds semi-annual report to shareholders dated June 30, 2014.
The Advisers principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
The Administrator, Sub-Administrator and Custodian. The Adviser serves as administrator of the Fund. The amount of the fee paid to the Adviser for administrative services varies by share class. The Fund pays the Adviser an administrative fee at the annual rate of 0.01% in respect of the class of shares in this Prospectus. State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, serves as the sub-administrator for the Fund for a fee that is paid
by the Adviser. State Street also serves as custodian of the Fund for a separate fee that is paid by the Fund.
The Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent. Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. is the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.
The Distributor. State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds distributor (the Distributor or SSGM) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.
Determination of Net Asset Value. The Fund determines its NAV per share once each business day at 5:00 p.m. ET except for days when the NYSE closes earlier than its regular closing time, in which event the Fund will determine its NAVs at the earlier closing time (the time when the Fund determines its NAV per share is referred to herein as the Valuation Time). Pricing does not occur on NYSE holidays.
A business day is one on which the NYSE is open for regular trading. The Federal Reserve is closed on certain holidays on which the NYSE is open. These holidays are Columbus Day and Veterans Day. On these holidays, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because Federal Funds wiring does not occur on days when the Federal Reserve is closed. The Fund reserves the right to accept orders to purchase or redeem shares, or to continue to accept such orders following the close of the NYSE, on any day that is not a business day or any day on which the NYSE closes early, provided the Federal Reserve remains open. The Fund also may establish special hours on those days to determine the Funds NAV. In the event that the Fund invokes the right to accept orders to purchase or redeem shares on any day that is not a business day or adopt special hours of operation, the Fund will post advance notice of these events at www.ssga.com/cash.
The Fund seeks to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV and, accordingly, uses the amortized cost valuation method, in compliance with Rule 2a-7s risk limiting conditions, to value its portfolio instruments. The amortized cost valuation method initially prices an instrument at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument.
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If you hold shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, your intermediary may offer additional services and account features that are not described in this Prospectus. Please contact your intermediary directly for an explanation of these services.
Purchasing Shares
The Fund offers one class of shares through this Prospectus: Class G shares, available to you subject to the eligibility requirements set forth below.
All classes of a Fund share the same investment objective and investments, but the different share classes have different expense structures and eligibility requirements. You should choose the class with the expense structure that best meets your needs for which you are eligible. Some factors to consider are the amount you plan to invest, the time period before you expect to sell your shares, and whether you might invest more money in the Fund in the future. Your investment professional can help you choose the share class that best suits your investment needs.
The chart below summarizes the features of the share class. This chart is only a general summary, and you should read the description of the Funds expenses in the Fund Summary in this Prospectus.
The minimum purchase amount may be waived by for specific investors or types of investors, including, without limitation, retirement plans, employees of State Street Corporation and its affiliates and their family.
Minimum Initial Investment | $1,000,000,000 | |
Maximum Investment | None. | |
Initial Sales Charge? | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | |
Deferred Sales Charge? | No. | |
Rule 12b-1 Fees? | No. | |
Redemption Fees? | No. |
Investors pay no sales load to invest in the Class G shares of the Fund. The price for Fund shares is the NAV per share. Orders will be priced at the NAV next calculated after the order is accepted by the Fund.
Purchase orders in good form (a purchase request is in good form if it meets the requirements implemented from time to time by the Funds transfer agent or the Fund, and for new accounts includes submission of a completed and signed application and all documentation necessary to open an account) on a
business day will, if payment is received the same day by Fed Wire before the close of the Federal Reserve, if accepted, receive that days NAV and will earn dividends declared on the date of the purchase. All purchases that are made by check will begin earning dividends the following business day after the day the order is accepted. (If you purchase shares by check, your order will not be in good form until the Funds transfer agent receives federal funds for the check.) All purchase orders are subject to acceptance by the Fund. The Fund intends to be as fully invested as is practicable; therefore, investments must be made in Federal Funds (i.e., monies credited to the account of the Funds custodian bank by a Federal Reserve Bank).
The minimum initial investment in Class G shares of the Fund is $1 billion. Holdings of related customer accounts may be aggregated for purposes of determining the minimum investment amount. Related customer accounts include accounts held by the same investment or retirement plan, financial institution, broker, dealer or intermediary. The Fund and the Adviser reserve the right to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open or maintain an account. There is no minimum subsequent investment, except in relation to maintaining certain minimum account balances (See Redeeming Shares below). The Fund requires prior notification of subsequent investments in excess of $50 million.
The Fund reserves the right to cease accepting investments at any time or to reject any investment order. In addition, the Fund may limit the amount of a purchase order received after 3:00 p.m. ET.
How to Purchase Shares
By Mail:
An initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to: State Street Institutional Trust Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, MA 02205-8048 |
By Overnight:
State Street Institutional Trust Funds 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021-2809 |
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By Telephone/Fax:
An initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to:
Ø confirm receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only), Ø request your new account number (initial purchases only), Ø confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and Ø receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund).
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions:
Instruct your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to: State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110
ABA# 011000028 DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund name Class name Account Number Account Registration
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve.
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Fund and the Funds agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received . |
In accordance with certain federal regulations, the Trust is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each entity that applies to open an account. For this reason, when you open (or change ownership of) an account, the Trust will request certain information, including your name, residential/business address, date of birth (for individuals) and taxpayer identification number or other government identification number and other information that will allow us to identify you which will be used to verify your identity. The Trust may also request to review other identification documents such as driver license, passport or documents showing the existence of the business entity. If you do not provide sufficient information to verify your identity, the Trust will not open an account for you. As required by law, the Trust may employ various procedures, such as comparing your information to fraud databases or requesting additional information and documentation from you, to
ensure that the information supplied by you is correct. The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase for any reason, including failure to provide the Trust with information necessary to confirm your identity as required by law.
Redeeming Shares. An investor may redeem all or any portion of its investment at the NAV next determined after it submits a redemption request, in proper form, to the Fund. Redemption orders are processed at the NAV next determined after the Fund receives a redemption order in good form. If the Fund receives a redemption order prior to its Valuation Time on a business day, the Fund may send payment for redeemed shares on that day. No dividends will be paid on shares that are redeemed and wired the same day. The Fund reserves the right to pay for redeemed shares within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Adviser, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund.
The right of any investor to receive payment with respect to any redemption may be suspended or the payment of the redemption proceeds postponed during any period in which the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays) or trading on the NYSE is restricted or, to the extent otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, if an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets. In addition, the SEC may by order permit suspension of redemptions for the protection of shareholders of the Funds. Although the Fund attempts to maintain its NAV at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that it will be successful, and there can be no assurance that a shareholder will receive $1.00 per share upon any redemption.
A request for a partial redemption by an investor whose account balance is below the minimum amount or a request for partial redemption by an investor that would bring the account below the minimum amount may be treated as a request for a complete redemption of the account. These minimums may be different for investments made through certain financial intermediaries as determined by their policies and may be waived in the Advisers discretion. The Fund reserves the right to modify minimum account requirements at any time with or without prior notice. The Fund also reserve the right to involuntarily redeem an investors account if the investors account balance falls below the applicable minimum amount due to transaction activity.
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How to Redeem Shares
By Mail |
Send a signed letter to: State Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, MA 02205-8048
The letter should include information necessary to process your request as described below. The Fund may require a medallion guarantee in certain circumstances. See Medallion Guarantees below. |
|
By Overnight |
State Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds 30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021-2809 |
|
By Telephone | Please Call (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET. | |
The Fund will need the following information to process your redemption request:
Ø name(s) of account owners;
Ø account number(s);
Ø the name of the Fund;
Ø your daytime telephone number; and
Ø the dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed. |
On any day that the Fund calculates NAV earlier than normal, the Fund reserves the right to adjust the times noted above for purchasing and redeeming shares.
Medallion Guarantees. Certain redemption requests must include a medallion guarantee for each registered account owner if any of the following apply:
Ø |
Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
Ø |
Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
Ø |
A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
Ø |
Other unusual situations as determined by the Funds transfer agent. |
All redemption requests regarding shares of the Fund placed after 4:00 p.m. ET may only be placed by telephone or pre-established other means such as a transmission. The Fund reserves the right to postpone payments for redemption requests received after 4:00 p.m. ET until the next business day. The Fund reserves the right to waive medallion guarantee requirements, require a medallion guarantee under other circumstances
or reject or delay redemption if the medallion guarantee is not in good form. Medallion guarantees may be provided by an eligible financial institution such as a commercial bank, a FINRA member firm such as a stock broker, a savings association or a national securities exchange. A notary public cannot provide a medallion guarantee. The Fund reserves the right to reject a medallion guarantee if it is not provided by a STAMP Medallion guarantor.
About Telephone Transactions. Telephone transactions are extremely convenient but are not free from risk. Neither the Fund nor the Funds agents will be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if reasonable security procedures are followed. In addition, you are responsible for: (i) verifying the accuracy of all data and information transmitted by telephone, (ii) verifying the accuracy of your account statements immediately upon receipt, and (iii) promptly notifying the Fund of any errors or inaccuracies including, without limitation, any errors or inaccuracies relating to shareholder data or information transmitted by telephone. During periods of heavy market activity or other times, it may be difficult to reach the Fund by telephone. If you are unable to reach us by telephone, consider sending written instructions.
The Fund may terminate the receipt of redemption orders by telephone at any time, in which case you may redeem shares by other means.
If you choose to purchase or redeem shares by sending instructions by regular mail, they will not be deemed received in good order until they are released by the post office and redelivered to the Transfer Agents physical location at 30 Dan Road in Canton, MA 02021. There will be a time lag, which may be one or more days, between regular mail receipt at the Boston post office box and redelivery to such physical location in Canton, and the Funds net asset value may change over those days. You might consider using express rather than regular mail if you believe time of receipt of your transaction request to be sensitive.
Excessive Trading. Because the Fund is a money market fund, the Funds Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. Nonetheless, the Fund may take any reasonable action that they deem necessary or appropriate to prevent excessive trading in Fund shares without providing prior notification to the account holder. Such action may include rejecting any purchase, in whole or
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part, including, without limitation, by a person whose trading activity in Fund shares may be deemed harmful to the Fund. While the Fund attempts to discourage such excessive trading, there can be no guarantee that it will be able to identify investors who are engaging in excessive trading or limit their trading practices. Additionally, frequent trades of small amounts may not be detected. The Fund recognizes that it may not always be able to detect or prevent excessive trading or other activity that may disadvantage the Fund or its shareholders.
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Financial intermediaries are firms that, for compensation, sell shares of mutual funds, including the Fund, and/or provide certain administrative and account maintenance services to mutual fund shareholders. Financial intermediaries may include, among others, brokers, financial planners or advisors, banks, and insurance companies.
In some cases, a financial intermediary may hold its clients Fund shares in nominee or street name. Shareholder services provided by a financial intermediary may (though they will not necessarily) include, among other things: processing and mailing trade confirmations, periodic statements, prospectuses, annual reports, semiannual reports, shareholder notices, and other SEC-required communications; capturing and processing tax data; issuing and mailing dividend checks to shareholders who have selected cash distributions; preparing record date shareholder lists for proxy solicitations; collecting and posting distributions to shareholder accounts; and establishing and maintaining systematic withdrawals and automated investment plans and shareholder account registrations.
The compensation paid by SSGM or its affiliates to a financial intermediary is typically paid continually over time, during the period when the intermediarys clients hold investments in the Fund. The amount of continuing compensation paid by SSGM or its affiliates to different financial intermediaries for distribution and/or shareholder services varies. The compensation is typically a percentage of the value of the financial intermediarys clients investments in the Fund or a per account fee. The variation in compensation may, but will not necessarily, reflect enhanced or additional services provided by the intermediary.
SSGM and its affiliates (including SSgA FM), at their own expense and out of their own assets, may also
provide compensation to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of the Funds shares or the servicing of shareholders or shareholder accounts. Such compensation may include, but is not limited to, financial assistance to financial intermediaries in connection with conferences, sales, or training programs for their employees; seminars for the public; advertising or sales campaigns; or other financial intermediary-sponsored special events. In some instances, this compensation may be made available only to certain financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Dealers may not use sales of the Funds shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent prohibited by the laws or rules of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA.
If payments to financial intermediaries by the distributor or adviser for a particular mutual fund complex exceed payments by other mutual fund complexes, your financial advisor and the financial intermediary employing him or her may have an incentive to recommend that fund complex over others. Please speak with your financial advisor to learn more about the total amounts paid to your financial advisor and his or her firm by SSGM and its affiliates and by sponsors of other mutual funds he or she may recommend to you. You should also consult disclosures made by your financial intermediary at the time of purchase.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The Fund intends to declare dividends on shares from net investment income daily and pay them as of the last business day of each month. Distributions from capital gains, if any, will be made annually in December. Income dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid in additional shares on reinvestment date unless you have elected to receive them in cash.
The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about foreign, federal, state, local or other tax laws applicable to you. Investors, including non-U.S. investors, should consult the SAI tax section for more complete disclosure.
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company and intends each year to qualify and to be eligible to be treated as such. A regulated
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investment company is generally not subject to tax at the corporate level on income and gains that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Funds failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in corporate level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.
For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income (other than exempt-interest dividends described below) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains generally are determined by how long the applicable Portfolio owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Fund shares. The Fund generally does not expect to make distributions that are eligible for taxation as long-term capital gains.
Distributions (other than distributions of exempt-interest dividends) are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Any gains resulting from the redemption of Fund shares will generally be taxable to you as either short-term or long-term capital gain, depending upon how long you have held your shares in the Fund.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the net investment income of individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net capital gains recognized on the redemption of shares of a Fund.
If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States the Funds ordinary income dividends, but not its exempt-interest dividends, will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. For distributions with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning before January 1, 2014, the Fund was able, under certain circumstances, to report in a written notice to shareholders all or a portion of a dividend as an interest-related dividend or a short-term capital gain dividend that if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally was exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided that certain other requirements are met. These exemptions have expired for distributions with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Therefore, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund (or intermediaries, as applicable) is currently required to withhold on distributions to
non-resident aliens or foreign entities attributable to net interest or short-term capital gains that were formerly eligible for this withholding exemption. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption for distributions with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2014, or what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect.
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The Financial Highlights table is presented for the Premier Class shares (formerly, the Institutional Class shares) of the Fund because the Class G shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. The information presented would differ only to the extent that the Class G shares do not have the same expenses as the Premier Class. The information through December 31, 2013, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the Funds financial statements, is included in the Funds annual report, which is available upon request. The financial information included in this table should be read in conjunction with the financial statements incorporated by reference in the SAI. The information for the period ended June 30, 2014 has not been audited by Ernst & Young LLP.
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State Street Institutional Investment Trust
Financial Highlights Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period is presented
below for U.S. Government Money Market Fund Premier Class
(a)
:
Period
Ended June 30, 2014* |
Period
Ended December 31, 2013 |
Period
Ended December 31, 2012 |
Period
Ended December 31, 2011 |
Period
Ended December 31, 2010 |
Period
Ended December 31, 2009 |
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Per Share Operating Performance: |
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Net Asset Value Beginning of Period |
$ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | ||||||||||||
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Investment Operations: |
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) |
(0.0000 | ) (d) | 0.0001 | 0.0003 | 0.0002 | 0.0007 | 0.0025 | |||||||||||||||||
Gain (Loss) on Investments |
| | 0.0000 | (d) | (0.0000 | ) (d) | 0.0000 | (d) | 0.0001 | |||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Operations |
(0.0000 | ) (d) | 0.0001 | 0.0003 | 0.0002 | 0.0007 | 0.0026 | |||||||||||||||||
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Distributions From: |
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Net Investment Income |
| (0.0001 | ) | (0.0003 | ) | (0.0002 | ) | (0.0007 | ) | (0.0026 | ) | |||||||||||||
Capital Gains |
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Total Distributions |
| (0.0001 | ) | (0.0003 | ) | (0.0002 | ) | (0.0007 | ) | (0.0026 | ) | |||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value End of Period |
$ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | $ | 1.0000 | ||||||||||||
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Total Return (b) |
0.00 | % (e) | 0.01 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.26 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data (a) : |
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Gross Expenses |
0.12 | %** | 0.12 | % | 0.13 | % | 0.12 | % | 0.13 | % | 0.13 | % | ||||||||||||
Net Expenses |
0.08 | %** | 0.09 | % | 0.12 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.12 | % | 0.12 | % | ||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
(0.00 | )% (e) ** | 0.01 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.21 | % | ||||||||||||
Expense Waiver (c) |
0.04 | %** | 0.03 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.01 | % | 0.01 | % | ||||||||||||
Net Assets End of Period (000s omitted) |
$ | 9,796,536 | $ | 7,189,250 | $ | 7,114,213 | $ | 5,139,795 | $ | 4,430,327 | $ | 2,879,208 |
(a) |
The per share amounts and percentages include the Funds proportionate share of income and expenses of its corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) |
Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) |
This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) |
Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) |
Amount is less than 0.005%. |
* | For the six months ended June 30, 2014 (Unaudited). |
** | Annualized. |
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For more information about the Fund:
The Funds SAI includes additional information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this document. Additional information about the Funds investments is available in the Funds annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
The SAI and the Funds annual and semi-annual reports are available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders in the Fund may make inquiries to the Fund to receive such information by calling State Street Global Markets, LLC at (877) 521-4083 or by writing to the Fund, c/o State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2900. The Funds website address is http://www.ssga.com/cash.
Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Commissions Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-942-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available free of charge on the EDGAR Database on the Commissions Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information also may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commissions Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
STATE STREET FINANCIAL CENTER
ONE LINCOLN STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02111
SSITUSGTCLLSTPRO
The State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819.
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
(the Trust)
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, Massachusetts 02206
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
Class G (SSGOX)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 9, 2014
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates only to the Prospectus of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class G shares dated September 9, 2014 (the Prospectus), as amended from time to time thereafter. Although this SAI contains information related to other series and classes of shares of the Trust, those other series and classes of shares are offered pursuant to separate prospectuses and SAIs; this SAI may not be used in connection with the offering of any series or class of shares of the Trust other than Class G shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund.
The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. A copy of the Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.
The Trusts audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, including the independent registered public accounting firm report thereon, are included in the Trusts annual reports and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Trusts unaudited financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2014, are included in the Trusts semiannual reports and are also incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Trusts annual reports and semiannual reports are available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address above.
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Appendix C - Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines |
C-1 |
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The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 16, 2000.
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust comprises the following diversified series:
| State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (the Equity 500 Index Fund); |
| State Street Equity 400 Index Fund (the Equity 400 Index Fund); |
| State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund (the Equity 2000 Index Fund); |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund (the Aggregate Bond Index Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund (the Limited Duration Bond Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund (the ILR Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund (the Tax Free Fund); |
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the U.S. Government Fund) |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund (the Treasury Fund); and |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (the Treasury Plus Fund) |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Fund (the Strategic Real Return Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement Fund (the Retirement Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund (the Target Retirement 2015 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund (the Target Retirement 2020 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund (the Target Retirement 2025 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund (the Target Retirement 2030 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund (the Target Retirement 2035 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (the Target Retirement 2040 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund (the Target Retirement 2045 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund (the Target Retirement 2050 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund (the Target Retirement 2055 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund (the Target Retirement 2060 Fund); |
| State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund; |
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| State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund; |
| State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund; |
| State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund; |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund; |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund; |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio; |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio; |
| State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio; and |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio. |
The Trust comprises the following non-diversified series:
| State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund. |
The Equity 500 Index Fund, Equity 400 Index Fund, Equity 2000 Index Fund and Aggregate Bond Index Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Index Funds. The ILR Fund, Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund, Tax Free Fund and U.S. Government Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Money Funds or Money Market Funds. The Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Treasury Funds. The Limited Duration Bond Fund is referred to in this SAI as the Bond Fund. All Funds together are referred to in this SAI as the Funds and each Fund may be referred to in context as the Fund as appropriate.
Each Fund in this SAI seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding master portfolio of the State Street Master Funds (each a Portfolio and collectively the Portfolios) that has the same investment objective as, and investment policies that are substantially similar to those of, the Fund. The table below shows the respective Portfolio in which each Fund invests.
Feeder Fund |
Master Portfolio |
|
Equity 500 Index Fund |
State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (Equity 500 Index Portfolio) | |
Equity 400 Index Fund |
State Street Equity 400 Index Portfolio (Equity 400 Index Portfolio) | |
Equity 2000 Index Fund |
State Street Equity 2000 Index Portfolio (Equity 2000 Index Portfolio) | |
Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio) | |
Limited Duration Bond Fund |
State Street Limited Duration Bond Portfolio (Limited Duration Bond Portfolio) | |
ILR Fund |
State Street Money Market Portfolio (Money Market Portfolio) | |
Tax Free Fund |
State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio (Tax Free Portfolio) | |
U.S. Government Fund |
State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (U.S. Government Portfolio) | |
Treasury Fund |
State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (Treasury Portfolio) | |
Treasury Plus Fund |
State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (Treasury Plus Portfolio) |
The Equity 500 Index Portfolio, Equity 400 Index Portfolio, Equity 2000 Index Portfolio and Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Index Portfolios. The Money Market Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio, Treasury Plus Portfolio and U.S. Government Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Money Portfolios or Money Market Portfolios. The Treasury Portfolio and Treasury Plus Portfolio are referred to in
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this SAI as the Treasury Portfolios. The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is referred to in this SAI as the Bond Portfolio. All Portfolios together are referred to in this SAI as the Portfolios and each Portfolio may be referred to in context as the Portfolio as appropriate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
Each Funds Prospectus contains information about the investment objective and policies of that Fund. This SAI should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund or Funds in which you intend to invest.
In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Funds and Portfolios described in each Funds Prospectus, a Fund or Portfolio may employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks, which are described below. In reviewing these practices of the Funds, you should assume that the practices of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects.
Additional Information Concerning the S&P 500
The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by SSgA. Standard & Poors®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (S&P); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones). The Equity 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates (collectively S&P Dow Jones Indices), and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund 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 to track general stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to the Equity 500 Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of the Equity 500 Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Fund are redeemable for cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund.
S&P Dow Jones Indices does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S&P 500 or any data included therein and S&P Dow Jones Indices shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Equity 500 Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 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 or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any incidental, special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits, trading losses, lost time or goodwill), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Additional Information Concerning the S&P MidCap 400
The S&P MidCap 400 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by SSgA. The Equity 400 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates (collectively S&P Dow Jones Indices), and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund 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 MidCap 400 to track general stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to the Equity 400 Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, which is
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determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of the Equity 400 Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P MidCap 400. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Fund are redeemable for cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund.
S&P Dow Jones Indices does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S&P MidCap 400 or any data included therein and S&P Dow Jones Indices shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Equity 400 Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P MidCap 400 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 MidCap 400 or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any incidental, special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits, trading losses, lost time or goodwill), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Additional Information Concerning the Russell 2000 Index
The Equity 2000 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, promoted by, or in any way affiliated with Frank Russell Company (Russell). Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Equity 2000 Index Fund or any associated literature or publications, and Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000 Index. Russell has no obligation to take the needs of any particular fund or its participants or any other product or person into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell 2000 Index. Russells publication of the Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the attractiveness or appropriateness of investment in any or all securities upon which the Index is based. Russell makes no representation, warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or otherwise of the Russell 2000 Index or any data included in the Index. Russell makes no representation or warranty regarding the use, or the results of use, of the Russell 2000 Index or any data included therein, or any security (or combination thereof) comprising the Index. Russell makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Russell 2000 Index or any data or any security (or combination thereof) included therein.
Additional Information Concerning the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (the U.S. Aggregate Index)
The Aggregate Bond Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Barclays. Barclays makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the U.S. Aggregate Index to track general performance. Barclayss only relationship to the Aggregate Bond Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Barclays and of the U.S. Aggregate Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by Barclays without regard to the Fund. Barclays has no obligation to take the needs of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the U.S. Aggregate Index. Barclays is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund. Barclays has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund.
Barclays does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein and Barclays shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Barclays makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Aggregate Bond Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Barclays 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 U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Barclays have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
To the extent consistent with its investment objective and restrictions, each Fund or Portfolio may invest in the following instruments and use the following techniques.
Cash Reserves
Each Index Portfolio and the Tax Free Portfolio may hold portions of its assets in short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less pending investment or to meet anticipated redemptions and day-to-day operating expenses. Short-term debt instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated at the time of purchase Aa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or AA or higher by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSgA FM); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time an Index Portfolio invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuers parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moodys or AA or higher by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by Moodys or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Adviser. To the extent that an Index Portfolio holds the foregoing instruments its ability to track its corresponding Index may be adversely affected. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.
Credit Default Swaps
The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into credit default swap transactions. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Portfolio and a counterparty that enables the Portfolio to buy or sell protection against a credit event related to a specified issuer. One party, acting as a protection buyer, make periodic payments to the other party, a protection seller, in exchange for a promise by the protection seller to make a payment to the protection buyer if a negative credit event (such as a delinquent payment or default) occurs with respect to a referenced bond or group of bonds. Acting as a protection seller allows the Portfolio to create an investment exposure similar to owning a bond. Acting as a protection buyer allows the Portfolio potentially to reduce its credit exposure to a bond it owns or to take a short position in a bond it does not own.
As the protection buyer in a credit default swap, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may pay a premium (by means of periodic payments) in return for the right to deliver specified bonds or loans (such as those of a U.S. or foreign issuer or a basket of such issuers) to the protection seller and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value upon default (or similar events) by the reference issuer. If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio. As the protection buyer, the Portfolio bears the risk that the investment might expire worthless and/or that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Portfolio in the event of a default (or similar event). In addition, when the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is a protection buyer, the Portfolios investment would only generate income in the event of an actual default (or similar event) by the issuer of the underlying reference obligation.
The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may also use credit default swaps for investment purposes by selling a credit default swap, in which case, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio would be required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the protection buyer in the event of a default (or similar event) by the third-party reference issuer. In return for its obligation, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio would receive from the protection buyer a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract. If no credit event occurs, the Portfolio would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Portfolio effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Portfolio is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
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The use of credit default swaps, like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks, such as counterparty risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk. The Fund will enter into a credit default swap only with counterparties that the Adviser determines to meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If a counterpartys creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline because of the heightened risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its payment obligations (particularly if the counterparty was the protection seller under the credit default swap contract). In addition, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio can eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.
A Limited Duration Bond Portfolios exposure under a credit default swap may be considered leverage and as such be subject to the restrictions on leveraged derivatives.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Each Index Portfolio may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest or on indices comprised of such securities and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.
Futures contracts. A financial futures contract is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of financial instruments such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell specified units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The value of a unit is based on the current value of the index. Under such contracts no delivery of the actual securities making up the index takes place. Rather, upon expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the index at expiration, net of variation margin previously paid. Futures contracts are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or boards of trade known as contract markets approved for such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant contract market.
Although many futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery, but rather by entering into an offsetting contract (a closing transaction). Upon entering into a futures contract, an Index Portfolio is required to deposit an initial margin with the futures broker. The initial margin serves as a good faith deposit that an Index Portfolio will honor its futures commitments. Subsequent payments (called variation margin or maintenance margin) to and from the broker are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs. If the Portfolio is unable to enter into a closing transaction, the amount of the Portfolios potential loss may be unlimited.
Each Index Portfolio will not commit more than 5% of the market value of its total assets to initial margin deposits on futures and premiums paid for options on futures.
The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.
Registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. The State Street Equity 500 Index Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA), and therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA.
Options on futures contracts . In return for the premium paid, options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Options on futures are similar to options on securities except that options on futures 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 exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account which represents
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the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, 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. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers requirements similar to those described above in connection with the discussion of futures contracts.
Risks of transactions in futures contracts and related options. Successful use of futures contracts by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in various factors affecting financial markets. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Portfolio because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Portfolio when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of futures contracts.
The use of options and futures strategies involves the risk of imperfect correlation among movements in the prices of the securities underlying the futures and options purchased and sold by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, of the options and futures contracts themselves, and, in the case of hedging transactions, of the securities which are the subject of a hedge. The successful use of these strategies further depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and market movements correctly.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a position held by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Portfolio may seek to close out such a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would likely continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options. Some U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a specified date and price; others may be settled in cash. Options on U.S. Treasury security futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if the Portfolio has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to hedge against
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the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the values of securities held in its portfolio, and the prices of the Portfolios securities increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for particular securities. For example, if the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio has hedged against a decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury securities subsequently increase while the values of the Portfolios tax-exempt securities decrease, the Portfolio would incur losses on both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio.
Illiquid Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may invest in illiquid securities. Each Index Portfolio, Bond Portfolio and the Tax Free Portfolio will invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities or securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and time deposits of more than seven days duration. The absence of a regular trading market for illiquid securities imposes additional risks on investments in these securities. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and may often be disposed of only after considerable expense and delay. Each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). As a result, each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) has adopted the following liquidity policies (except as noted):
1. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase an illiquid security if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested more than 5% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the market value ascribed to them by the Portfolio/Fund); |
2. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering daily liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 10% of its total assets in securities offering daily liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within one business day, cash or direct U.S. Government obligations) (this policy does not apply to the Tax Free Fund or the corresponding Tax Free Portfolio); and |
3. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering weekly liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 30% of its total assets in securities offering weekly liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within five business days, cash, direct U.S. Government obligations and Government agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less). |
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Lending of Portfolio Securities
Each Index Portfolio may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations in amounts up to 33 1/3% of the total value of its assets. Any such loan must be continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned by an Index Portfolio. An Index Portfolio would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. An Index Portfolio would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, an Index Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses including (a) possible decline in the value of collateral or in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the Portfolio seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible sub-normal levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights. A Portfolios securities lending agent may be an affiliate of the Adviser, and would be compensated by the Portfolio for its services.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
Each Index Portfolio may purchase or sell options on securities in which it may invest and on indices that are comprised of securities in which it may invest, subject to the limitations set forth above and provided such options are traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities except there is no transfer of a security and settlement is in cash. A call option on a securities index grants the purchaser of the call, for a premium paid to the seller, the right to receive in cash an amount equal to the difference between the closing value of the index and the exercise price of the option times a multiplier established by the exchange upon which the option is traded. Typically, a call option will be profitable to the holder of the option if the value of the security or the index increases during the term of the option; a put option will be valuable if the value of the security or the index decreases during the term of the option. The Index Portfolios may also invest in warrants, which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time.
Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares
Each Portfolio (except the Treasury Portfolio and the Treasury Plus Portfolio) may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and exemptive rules and orders thereunder, invest in shares of other investment companies, which include Funds managed by SSgA FM, which invest exclusively in money market instruments or in investment companies with investment policies and objectives which are substantially similar to the Portfolios. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases securities from a financial institution that agrees to repurchase the securities at the Portfolios original purchase price plus interest within a specified time (normally one business day). The Portfolio will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System and broker-dealers whose creditworthiness the Adviser considers satisfactory. Should the counterparty to a transaction fail financially, the Portfolio may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities, or may be prevented from realizing on the securities. Further, the amount realized upon the sale of the securities may be less than that necessary to fully compensate the Portfolio.
Section 4(2) Commercial Paper/Rule 144A Securities
Each Portfolio, other than the Treasury Portfolios, may also invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act) (Section 4(2) paper) or in securities that that can be offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (Rule 144A securities). The U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in Rule 144A securities, but not Section 4(2) paper.
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Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally is sold to institutional investors that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Portfolios through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(2) paper. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other institutional investors.
Section 4(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Funds and Portfolios percentage limitations on illiquid securities when the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities.
U.S. Government Securities
Each Portfolio may purchase U.S. Government securities. With respect to U.S. Government securities, the Treasury Portfolio will invest exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds maturing within 397 days, and other mutual funds, subject to regulatory limitations, that invest exclusively in such obligations. The Treasury Plus Portfolio will invest only in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds) and repurchase agreements collateralized by these obligations. The types of U.S. Government obligations in which each other Portfolio may at times invest include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality (examples of agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Federal National Mortgage Association). No assurance can be given that in the future the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government securities it is not obligated to support.
The Money Portfolios may purchase U.S. Government obligations on a forward commitment basis.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
The Money Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, and the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (IPSs), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. IPSs typically provide for semiannual payments of interest and a payment of principal at maturity. In general, each payment will be adjusted to take into account any inflation or deflation that occurs between the issue date of the security and the payment date based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Each semiannual payment of interest will be determined by multiplying a single fixed rate of interest by the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the security for the date of the interest payment. Thus, although the interest rate will be fixed, the amount of each interest payment will vary with changes in the principal of the security as adjusted for inflation and deflation.
IPSs also provide for an additional payment (a minimum guarantee payment) at maturity if the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date is less than the securitys principal amount at issuance. The amount of the additional payment will equal the excess of the securitys principal amount at issuance over the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date.
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When-Issued Securities
Each Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period, and no income accrues to the Portfolio until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be disadvantaged. The Money Portfolios will not invest more than 25% of their respective net assets in when-issued securities.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and held by a Portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon actual or perceived changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates i.e., they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher interest income a Portfolio remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Portfolios net asset value (NAV).
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements under the circumstances described in Investment Restrictions. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Portfolio sells portfolio securities to a financial institution in return for cash in an amount equal to a percentage of the portfolio securities market value and agrees to repurchase the securities at a future date at a prescribed repurchase price equal to the amount of cash originally received plus interest on such amount. A Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and principal payments with respect to the securities while they are in the possession of the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements may create investment leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities sold by a Portfolio may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve a risk of default by the counterparty, which may adversely affect a Portfolios ability to reacquire the underlying securities.
Total Return Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may contract with a counterparty to pay a stream of cash flows and receive the total return of an index or a security for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. A Portfolios return on a swap will depend on the ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations under the swap. The Adviser will cause the Portfolio to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Portfolios repurchase agreement guidelines.
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap transactions with respect to any security they are entitled to hold. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective rights to receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. A Portfolio expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Portfolios intend to use these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative investment. For example, the Portfolios may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Portfolios. In such an instance, the Portfolios may agree with a counterparty to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) and the counterparty to pay a floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of a Portfolio, the Portfolio would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Portfolio would likely lose money on the swap transaction.
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Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (ECDs), Eurodollar Time Deposits (ETDs) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (YCDs)
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in ECDs, ETDs and YCDs. ECDs and ETDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks and foreign banks. YCDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks.
Different risks than those associated with the obligations of domestic banks may exist for ECDs, ETDs and YCDs because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or foreign branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as loan limitations, examinations and reserve, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements. Obligations of foreign issuers also involve risks such as future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding tax, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, and other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment.
Forward Commitments
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio and the Money Portfolios may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (forward commitments) , consistent with the Funds ability to manage its investment portfolio, meet redemption requests, and for each Money Market Fund, maintain a stable net asset value. Forward commitments may be considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of the Portfolios other assets. Where such purchases are made through dealers, the Portfolio relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealers failure to do so may result in the loss to the Portfolio of an advantageous yield or price.
Although a Portfolio will generally enter into forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, a Portfolio may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. A Portfolio may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward commitments. When effecting such transactions, cash or other liquid assets (such as liquid high quality debt obligations) held by the Fund of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased will be segregated on the Funds records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Such segregated assets will be marked to market on a daily basis, and if the market value of such assets declines, additional cash or assets will be segregated so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of such the Funds obligations. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, or if the other party fails to complete the transaction.
Investment-Grade Bonds
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Money Market Portfolio may invest in corporate notes and bonds that are rated investment-grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) (and, in the case of the Money Market Portfolio, rated in one of the two short-term highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs or by one NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the security) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality to the rated securities described above, as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Investment-grade securities include securities rated Baa or higher by Moodys or BBB- or higher by S&P (and securities of comparable quality); securities rated Baa or BBB may have speculative characteristics.
Mortgage-Related Securities
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related securities represent an interest in a pool of, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Mortgage-related securities may be issued or guaranteed by (i) US Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) (also known as Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) (also known as Freddie Mac) or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.
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Many mortgage-related securities provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on many mortgage-related securities are a pass-through of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities.
Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will typically result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by a variety of factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities.
Because of the possibility of prepayments (and due to scheduled repayments of principal), mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of locking in attractive long-term interest rates. Prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Funds.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. CMOs are typically structured with classes or series that have different maturities and are generally retired in sequence. Each class of obligations receives periodic interest payments according to its terms. However, monthly principal payments and any prepayments from the collateral pool are generally paid first to the holders of the most senior class. Thereafter, payments of principal are generally allocated to the next most senior class of obligations until that class of obligations has been fully repaid. Any or all classes of obligations of a CMO may be paid off sooner than expected because of an increase in the payoff speed of the pool. Changes in prepayment rates may have significant effects on the values and the volatility of the various classes and series of a CMO. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of a CMO may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages.
Stripped mortgage-related securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or IO class of stripped mortgage-related securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on a Funds yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-related securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-related securities, potentially limiting a Funds ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
Government Mortgage-Related Securities
GNMA is the principal federal government guarantor of mortgage-related securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full
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faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-related securities. GNMA pass-through securities are considered to have a relatively low risk of default in that (1) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of government-backed loans and (2) the timely payment of both principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, regardless of whether they have been collected. GNMA pass-through securities are, however, subject to the same interest rate risk as comparable privately issued mortgage-related securities. Therefore, the effective maturity and market value of a funds GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The mortgage loans in FHLMCs portfolio are not government backed; FHLMC, not the U.S. Government, guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on FHLMC securities. FHLMC also issues guaranteed mortgage certificates, on which it guarantees semiannual interest payments and a specified minimum annual payment of principal.
FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, which include savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA, not the U.S. Government.
Mortgage-Backed Security Rolls
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. In a forward roll transaction, a Portfolio will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The mortgage securities that are repurchased will typically bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. A Portfolio that engages in a forward roll transaction forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities sold during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Portfolio earns interest by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. A forward roll transaction may create investment leverage. A Portfolio is subject to the risk that the value of securities to be purchased pursuant to a forward roll transaction will decline over the roll period, and that the Portfolios counterparty may be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Portfolio. Upon entering into a mortgage-backed security roll, the participating Portfolio will segregate on its records cash, US Government securities or other high-grade debt securities in an amount sufficient to cover to its obligation under the roll.
Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Money Market Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities that are not mortgage-related. Asset-backed securities other than mortgage-related securities represent undivided fractional interests in pools of instruments, such as consumer loans, and are typically similar in structure to mortgage-related pass-through securities. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to holders of the securities and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity, or by priority to certain of the borrowers other securities. The degree of credit-enhancement, if any, varies, applying only until exhausted and generally covering only a fraction of the securitys par value.
The value of such asset-backed securities is affected by changes in the markets perception of the asset backing the security, changes in the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the instrument pool, the originator of the instruments, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement and the expenditure of any portion of any credit enhancement. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying instruments by the obligors, and a Fund would generally have no recourse against the obligee of the instruments in the event of default by an obligor. The underlying instruments are subject to prepayments which shorten the duration of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in generally the same manner as described above for prepayments of pools of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-related securities.
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Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) corporations, (3) financial institutions, (4) insurance companies or (5) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals but less frequently than annually. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate. The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may also invest in funding agreements, which are privately placed, unregistered obligations negotiated with a purchaser.
Variable Amount Master Demand Notes
The Money Market Portfolio, the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest in variable amount master demand notes which are unsecured obligations that are redeemable upon demand and are typically unrated. These instruments are issued pursuant to written agreements between their issuers and holders. The agreements permit the holders to increase (subject to an agreed maximum) and the holders and issuers to decrease the principal amount of the notes, and specify that the rate of interest payable on the principal fluctuates according to an agreed formula. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of these securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in these securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate instrument.
Zero Coupon Securities
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are notes, bonds and debentures that: (1) do not pay current interest and are issued at a substantial discount from par value; (2) have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts; or (3) pay no interest until a stated date one or more years into the future. These securities also include certificates representing interests in such stripped coupons and receipts. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a greater impact on the market value of a zero coupon security than on the market value of the comparable securities that pay interest periodically during the life of the instrument. The Portfolios will not receive cash payments on a current basis from the issuer in respect of accrued original issue discount (OID), but investors will be required to accrue OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To generate sufficient cash for a Fund to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), a Fund may be required to redeem a portion of its interest in a Portfolio in order to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement with respect to the OID accrued on zero coupon bonds. The Portfolio in turn may sell investments in order to meet such redemption requests, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.
The Money Portfolio, the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest no more than 25% of their respective total assets in stripped securities that have been stripped by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage firm. A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and resold them in custodian receipt programs with different names such as Treasury Income Growth Receipts (TIGRS) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasuries (CATS). Privately-issued stripped securities such as TIGRS and CATS are not themselves guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but the future payment of principal or interest on U.S. Treasury obligations which they represent is so guaranteed.
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Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities
Municipal securities may bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest or may be zero coupon securities. Municipal securities are generally of two types: general obligations and revenue obligations. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, general obligation bonds and commercial paper. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are generally issued in anticipation of future tax revenues. Bond anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the issuer obtaining longer-term financing.
The Tax Free Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest in municipal and municipal-related securities. Municipal obligations are affected by economic, business or political developments. These securities may be subject to provisions of litigation, bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, or may become subject to future laws extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or limiting the rights of municipalities to levy taxes. The Portfolios may be more adversely impacted by changes in tax rates and policies than other funds. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal income tax-exempt status of, such interest income. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect a Portfolios ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Concentration of a Portfolios investments in these municipal obligations will subject the Portfolio, to a greater extent than if such investment was not so concentrated, to the risks of adverse economic, business or political developments affecting the particular state, industry or other area of concentration. Issuers, including governmental issuers, of municipal securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they become due. Recent declines in tax revenues, and increases in liabilities, such as pension and health care liabilities, may increase the actual or perceived risk of default on such securities.
Auction Rate Securities.
Auction rate municipal securities permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend or interest is typically reset by Dutch auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. A Portfolio will take the time remaining until the next scheduled auction date into account for purposes of determining the securities duration. The Tax Free Portfolio does not invest in auction rate securities.
Industrial Development and Private Activity Bonds.
Industrial development bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; ports and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for these bonds is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability without obligation to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
Private activity bonds are considered municipal securities if the interest paid thereon is exempt from federal income tax and are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facilitys user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. As noted in each Portfolios Prospectus and discussed below under Taxation of the Funds, interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations.
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Insured Municipal Securities.
Insured municipal securities are those for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance entitles a fund to receive only the face or par value of the securities held by the fund, but the ability to be paid is limited to the claims paying ability of the insurer. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal securities or the net asset value of a funds shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of its portfolio and the strength of the management team which contributes to the claims paying ability of the entity. However, the Adviser selects securities based upon the underlying credit with bond insurance viewed as an enhancement only. The Advisers objective is to have an enhancement that provides additional liquidity to insulate against volatility in changing markets.
Municipal Leases.
The Tax Free Portfolio may purchase participation interests in municipal obligations, including municipal lease/purchase agreements. Municipal leases are an undivided interest in a portion of an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, with remaining maturities of 13 months or less. Certain participation interests may permit a Portfolio to demand payment on not more than seven days notice, for all or any part of the funds interest, plus accrued interest.
Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Some leases or contracts include non-appropriation clauses, which provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce these risks, the Portfolios will only purchase municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank.
Whether a municipal lease agreement will be considered illiquid for the purpose of a Portfolios restriction on investments in illiquid securities will be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities.
The interest and principal payments on pre-refunded municipal securities are typically paid from the cash flow generated from an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government securities. These payments have been pre-refunded using the escrow fund.
Tender Option Bonds.
A tender option is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax exempt rates, that has been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal obligations fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term tax exempt rate. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a Portfolio may buy tender option bonds if the agreement gives the Portfolio the right to tender the bond to its sponsor no less frequently than once every 397 days. The Adviser will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying obligation, any custodian and the third party provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in payment of principal or interest on the underlying municipal obligation and for other reasons.
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Asset Segregation and Coverage
A Fund may be required to earmark or otherwise segregate liquid assets in respect of its obligations under derivatives transactions that involve contractual obligations to pay in the future, or a Fund may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are earmarked or otherwise segregated may be based on the notional value of the derivative or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. In certain circumstances, a Fund may enter into an offsetting position rather than earmarking or segregating liquid assets. A Fund may modify its asset segregation and coverage policies from time to time. Although earmarking or segregating may in certain cases have the effect of limiting a Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions, the extent of any such limitation will depend on a variety of factors, including the method by which the Fund determines the nature and amount of assets to be earmarked or segregated.
Tax Exempt Commercial Paper
The Tax Free Portfolio and
the Bond Portfolio may invest in tax exempt commercial paper. Tax exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is typically issued to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term
financing in anticipation of longer term financing. Each instrument may be backed only by the credit of the issuer or may be backed by some form of credit enhancement, typically in the form of a guarantee by a commercial bank. Commercial paper
backed by guarantees of foreign banks may involve additional risk due to the difficulty of obtaining and enforcing judgments against such banks and the generally less restrictive regulations to which such banks are subject. The Portfolios will only
invest in commercial paper rated at the time of purchase not less than Prime-1 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc., A-1 by Standard & Poors Rating Group or
F-1 by Fitch Ratings. See Appendix A for more information on the
ratings of debt instruments.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The Portfolios in which the Funds invest each have substantially the same investment restrictions as their corresponding Funds. In reviewing the description of a Funds investment restrictions below, you should assume that the investment restrictions of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects as those of the Fund.
The Trust has adopted the following restrictions applicable to the Funds, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
1. | A Fund may borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
2. | A Fund may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
3. | A Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
4. | A Fund may purchase, sell or hold real estate to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
5. | A Fund may underwrite securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
20
For the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 400 Index Fund, State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund (Non-Money Market Funds):
6. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. The Fund may concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Funds underlying Index. |
For the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund (collectively, the Money Market Funds):
7. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing and bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments issued by: (i) U.S. banks, (ii) U.S. branches of foreign banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the U.S. branches of foreign banks are subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks), (iii) foreign branches of U.S. banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the Fund will have recourse to the U.S. bank for the obligations of the foreign branch), and (iv) foreign branches of foreign banks (to the extent that the Adviser determines that the foreign branches of foreign banks are subject to the same or substantially similar regulations as U.S. banks). |
With respect to the Money Market Funds investment policy on concentration (#6 above), a Fund may concentrate in bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the yield, marketability and availability of investments meeting the Funds quality standards in the banking industry justify any additional risks associated with the concentration of the Funds assets in such industry.
For each Fund, all percentage limitations (except the limitation to borrowings) on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions expressly identified as fundamental, or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to a Fund, the other investment policies described in this SAI or in the Prospectus are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees without shareholder approval.
The interest holders of each master portfolio have approved the same fundamental investment restrictions as the corresponding Fund.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
In addition, it is contrary to the Non-Money Market Funds present policies, which may be changed without shareholder approval, to invest in (a) securities which are not readily marketable, (b) securities restricted as to resale (excluding securities determined by the Trustees of the Trust (or the person designated by the Trustees of the Trust to make such determinations) to be readily marketable), and (c) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, as a result, more than 15% of the Funds net assets (taken at current value) would be invested in securities described in (a), (b) and (c) above.
21
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Introduction
The policies set forth below to be followed by the State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (SSgA FM and, collectively, the Service Providers) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of the SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each, a Trust). These disclosure policies are intended to ensure compliance by the Service Providers and the Trust with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees of the Trust must approve all material amendments to the policy.
General Policy
It is the policy of the Service Providers to protect the confidentiality of client holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information concerning the Trust.
Exception
No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below.
Publicly Available Information. Any party may disclose portfolio holdings information after the holdings are publicly available.
Disclosure of the complete holdings of each series of the Trust (each, a Fund) is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of the Funds fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q (filed after the first and third fiscal quarters). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov . Each Fund will also make complete portfolio holdings available generally no later than 60 calendar days after the end of such Funds fiscal quarter or subsequent to periodic portfolio holdings disclosure in the Funds filings with the SEC or on their website. Each money market fund generally will post on its website (or, in the case of a master fund, on the corresponding feeder funds website) a full list of its portfolio holdings each Friday reflecting the portfolio holdings of the fund on the immediately preceding Wednesday. Each money market fund will also post a full list of its portfolio holdings on its website (or, in the case of a master fund, on the corresponding feeder funds website) no later than the fifth business day of each month reflecting its portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the previous month. Such monthly posting shall contain such information as required by Rule 2a-7(c)(12) under the 1940 Act and remain posted on the website for not less than six months.
Press Interviews Brokers and Other Discussions
Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Service Providers or the Trust may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these disclosure policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing the Trust may indicate that he owns XYZ Company for the Trust only if the Trusts ownership of such company has previously been publicly disclosed.
Trading Desk Reports
State Street Global Advisors trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for the general analytical research purposes. In no case may such lists identify individual clients or individual client position sizes. Furthermore, in the case of equity securities, such lists shall not show aggregate client position sizes.
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Miscellaneous
Confidentiality Agreement . No non-public disclosure of the Trusts portfolio holdings will be made to any party unless such party has signed a written Confidentiality Agreement. For purposes of the disclosure policies, any Confidentiality Agreement must be in a form and substance acceptable to, and approved by, the Trusts officers.
Evaluation Service Providers. There are numerous mutual fund evaluation services (Morningstar and Lipper) and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. In order to facilitate the review of the Trust by these services and departments, the Trust may distribute (or authorize the Service Providers and the Trusts custodian or fund accountants to distribute) month-end portfolio holdings to such services and departments only if such entity has executed a confidentiality agreement.
Additional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trusts Board of Trustees, State Street and SSgA FM may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those found in these disclosure policies.
Waivers of Restrictions. These disclosure policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trusts officers. All waivers and exceptions involving the Trust will be disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Disclosures Required by Law . Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable law. For example, SSgA FM, State Street, the Trust or any of its affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law (such as Schedules 13D, 13G and 13F or Form N-MFP), respond to requests from regulators and comply with valid subpoenas.
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing the Trusts business. The following table provides information with respect to each Trustee, including those Trustees who are not considered to be interested as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), and officer of the Trust.
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND AGE |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF
TIME
|
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE
|
|||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
||||||||||
Michael F. Holland Holland & Company, LLC 375 Park Avenue New York, NY 10152 YOB: 1944 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
Chairman, Holland & Company L.L.C. (investment adviser)
(1995- present). |
56 | Trustee and Co-Chairman, State Street Master Funds; Trustee and Co-Chairman, SSgA Funds; Director, the Holland Series Fund, Inc.; Director, The China Fund, Inc.; Director, The Taiwan Fund, Inc.; Director, Reaves Utility Income Fund, Inc.; and Director, Blackstone/GSO Loan Funds. | |||||
Patrick J. Riley State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
2002 to May 2010, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 1985 to 2002, Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment company); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSgA Cash Management Fund plc); January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Fixed Income plc; and January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Qualified Funds PLC. | 56 | Trustee and Co-Chairman, State Street Master Funds; Trustee and Co-Chairman, SSgA Funds; Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe 1PLC Board (2011-Present); Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe II, PLC (2013- Present). | |||||
William L. Boyan State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1937 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
President and Chief Operations Officer, John Hancock Financial Services (1959 1999). Mr. Boyan retired in 1999. Chairman Emeritus, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA (1984 2011); Former Trustee of Old
Mutual South Africa Master Trust (investments)
(1995 2008); Former Chairman, Boston Plan For Excellence, Boston Public Schools (1995 2010); Member of Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society. |
56 | Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust; Trustee, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA. |
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William L. Marshall State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1942 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
April 2011 to Present, Chairman (until April 2011, Chief Executive Officer and President), Wm. L. Marshall Associates, Inc.,
Wm. L. Marshall Companies, Inc. and the Marshall Financial Group, Inc. (a registered investment adviser and provider of financial and related consulting services); Certified Financial Planner; Member, Financial Planners Association; Director, SPCA of Bucks County, PA; and the Ann Silverman Community Clinic of Doylestown, PA. |
56 | Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Director, Marshall Financial Group, Inc. | |||||
Richard D. Shirk State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1945 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
March 2001 to April 2002, Chairman (1996 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer), Cerulean Companies, Inc. (holding company) (Retired); 1992 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (health insurer, managed healthcare); 1998 to December 2008, Chairman, Board Member and December 2008 to Present, Investment Committee Member, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (private foundation); September 2002 to Present, Lead Director and Board Member, Amerigroup Corp. (managed health care); 1999 to Present, Board Member and (since 2001) Investment Committee Member, Woodruff Arts Center; and 2003 to 2009, Trustee, Gettysburg College. | 56 |
Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Board member, AeroCare Holdings (privately held healthcare services company) (February
2003-Present); Board member, Regenesis Biomedical (health care services) (April 2012-Present). |
|||||
Rina K. Spence State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
President of SpenceCare International LLC (international healthcare consulting)
(1999 present); Chief Executive Officer, IEmily.com (health internet company) (2000 2001); Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1998 1999); Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spence Center for Womens Health (1994 1998); President and CEO Emerson Hospital (1984 1994); Trustee, Eastern Enterprise (utilities) (1988 2000). |
56 |
Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Director, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America
(1993 2009); Director, IEmily.com, Inc. (2000 2010); and Trustee, National Osteoporosis Foundation (2005 2008). |
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Bruce D. Taber State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1943 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
1999 to Present, Partner, Zenergy LLC (a technology company providing Computer Modeling and System Analysis to the General Electric Power Generation Division); Until December 2008, Independent Director, SSgA Cash Management Fund plc; Until December 2008, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment companies); and Until August 1994, President, Alonzo B. Reed, Inc., (a Boston architect-engineering firm). | 56 | Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds. | |||||
Douglas T. Williams State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1940 |
Trustee and
Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President, Oakmonst Homeowners Association; President, Mariner Sands Chapel; Executive Vice President and member of Executive Committee, Chase Manhattan Bank (1987 -1999); President, Boston Stock Exchange Depository Trust Company, 1981-1982. | 56 |
Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Treasurer, Nantucket Educational Trust,
(2002-2007). |
|||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEES (1) |
||||||||||
Scott F. Powers State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1959 |
Trustee |
Term: Indefinite Elected Trustee: 1/14 |
May 2008 to Present, President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Global Advisors; 2001 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Asset Management; Board of Directors, United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Board of Directors of Middlesex School; Incorporator, Cardigan Mountain School | 56 | Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds. | |||||
James E. Ross SSgA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1965 |
Trustee |
Term: Indefinite Elected Trustee: 2/07 |
Chairman and Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
(2012 present); President, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 2012); Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006 present); and Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2006 present). |
231 | Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Trustee, SPDR Series Trust; Trustee, SPDR Index Shares Funds; Trustee, Select Sector SPDR Trust; Trustee, SSgA Active ETF Trust; and Trustee, SSgA Master Trust. |
(1) | Mr. Powers and Mr. Ross are Interested Trustees because of their employment by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND AGE |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||
OFFICERS: |
||||||
Ellen M. Needham SSgA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1967 |
President | Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 | President and Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2012 present); Chief Operating Officer, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2010 - June 2012); Senior Managing Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (1992-2012) and Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992-present).* | |||
Ann M. Carpenter SSgA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1966 |
Vice President |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 |
Vice President, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2008 present); Chief Operating Officer, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2005 2008 present).* | |||
Laura F. Dell State Street Bank and Trust Company 4 Copley Place, 5th floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1964 |
Treasurer | Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/10 | Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2002 present).* | |||
Chad C. Hallett State Street Bank and Trust Company 4 Copley Place, 5th floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1969 |
Assistant Treasurer | Term: Indefinite Elected: 09/11 | Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2001 present).* | |||
Caroline Connolly State Street Bank and Trust Company 4 Copley Place, 5th floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1975 |
Assistant Treasurer | Term: Indefinite Elected: 09/11 | Assistant Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2007 present). | |||
Brian Harris State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1973 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/13 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSgA Funds Management, Inc.( June 2013- Present); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (September 2010 to May 2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (July 2008 to August 2010). | |||
David K. James State Street Bank and Trust Company 4 Copley Place, 5th Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1970 |
Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 4/13 |
Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009 - present); Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. (20062009). | |||
Kristin Schantz State Street Bank and Trust Company 4 Copley Place, 5th Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1979 |
Assistant Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/14 |
Vice President and Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013- present); Vice President, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (2008-2013). |
* | Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period. |
27
The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is or was a Trustee of the Trust against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings if the person in good faith and reasonably believes that his or her conduct was in the Trusts best interest. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Summary of Trustees Qualifications
Following is a summary of the experience, attributes and skills which qualify each Trustee to serve on the Trusts Board.
Michael F. Holland: Mr. Holland is an experienced business executive with over 43 years of experience in the financial services industry including 18 years as a portfolio manager of another registered mutual fund; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
William L. Boyan: Mr. Boyan is an experienced business executive with over 41 years of experience in the insurance industry; his experience includes prior service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities and an executive position with a major insurance company. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
Rina K. Spence: Ms. Spence is an experienced business executive with over 33 years of experience in the health care industry; her experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies, charities and utility companies and chief executive positions for various health care companies. She has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
Douglas T. Williams: Mr. Williams is an experienced business executive with over 40 years of experience in the banking industry; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and charities and senior executive positions of major bank organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
James E. Ross: Mr. Ross is an experienced business executive with over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for six years and as President of the trusts for seven years and possesses significant experience regarding the trusts operations and history. Mr. Ross is also a senior executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.
William L. Marshall: Mr. Marshall is an experienced business executive with over 44 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as an advisor trustee or officer of various investment companies and charities. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 38 years of experience in the legal and financial services industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
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Richard D. Shirk: Mr. Shirk is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the health care and insurance industries and with investment matters; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various health care companies and nonprofit organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Bruce D. Taber: Mr. Taber is an experienced business executive with over 40 years of experience in the power generation, technology and engineering industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 22 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Scott F. Powers: Mr. Powers is an experienced business executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities. He was recently elected to the SSgA Funds Board of Trustees and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust. Mr. Powers is also the president and chief executive officer of the State Street Global Advisors.
References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of various matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the Trust, and the Trusts shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board has created an Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Valuation Committee and Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee.
The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee meets twice a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Trusts internal accounting and control structure, its auditing function and its financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and retaining the independent accountants for the Trust. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit plans, fees and other material arrangements in respect of the engagement of the independent accountants, including non-audit services performed. The Audit Committee reviews the qualifications of the independent accountants key personnel involved in the foregoing activities and monitors the independent accountants independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Audit Committee held two meetings.
The Governance Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee, including the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Governance Committee), is to review and evaluate the composition and performance of the Board; make nominations for membership on the Board and committees; review the responsibilities of each committee; and review governance procedures, compensation of Independent Trustees, and independence of outside counsel to the Trustees. The Governance Committee performs an annual self-evaluation of Board members. The Governance Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
The Valuation Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committees primary purpose is to review the actions and recommendations of the Advisers Oversight Committee no less often than quarterly. The Trust has established procedures and guidelines for valuing portfolio securities and makes fair value determinations from time to time through the Valuation Committee, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSgA FM. The Valuation Committee reviews the actions and recommendations of the Oversight Committee in connection with quarterly Board meetings. The Valuation Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
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The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee (the QLCC) is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; to oversee generally the Trusts responses to regulatory inquiries; and to investigate matters referred to it by the Chief Legal Officer and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers or the Trustees. The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight
The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Co-Chairpersons of the Board of the Trust and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley, both Independent Trustees, serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Mr. Shirk and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the QLCC, Mr. Boyan and Mr. Taber serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Taber and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Governance Committee.
Mr. Powers and Mr. Ross, who are also employees of the Adviser, serve as Trustees of the Trust and Ellen Needham, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, since Mr. Powers, Mr. Ross and Ms. Needham provide the Board with insight regarding the Trusts day-to-day management, while Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley provide an independent perspective on the Trusts overall operation and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams provide a specialized perspective on audit matters.
The Board has delegated management of the Trust to service providers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks applicable to the Trust. The Board oversees risk management for the Trust in several ways. The Board receives regular reports from both the chief compliance officer and administrator for the Trust, detailing the results of the Trusts compliance with its Board-adopted policies and procedures, the investment policies and limitations of the Portfolios, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and Internal Revenue Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues respecting the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Boards input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Fund. The Boards Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the disinterested Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the chief compliance officer and representatives of management, as needed. Through these regular reports and interactions, the Board oversees the risk management parameters for the Trust, which are effected on a day-to-day basis by service providers to the Trust.
Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Trust, Adviser and Distributor
As of April 1, 2014 none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser or State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM), the Trusts distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGM.
30
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Trust as of December 31, 2013.
Name of Independent Trustee |
Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In Each Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range
|
||||
William L. Boyan |
None | None | None | |||
Michael F. Holland |
None | None | None | |||
William L. Marshall |
None | None | Over $100,000 | |||
Patrick J. Riley |
None | None | Over $100,000 | |||
Richard D. Shirk |
None | None | Over $100,000 | |||
Rina K. Spence |
None | None | None | |||
Bruce D. Taber |
None | None | Over $100,000 | |||
Douglas T. Williams |
None | None | None | |||
Name of Interested Trustee |
||||||
Scott F. Powers |
None | None | Over $100,000 | |||
James E. Ross |
None | None | None |
Trustee Compensation
As of January 24, 2014, each Independent Trustee receives for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSgA Funds, a $141,500 annual base retainer in addition to $18,000 for each in-person meeting and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Trust will bear a pro rata allocation based on the Trusts average monthly assets. The Co-Chairmen receive an additional $44,000 annual retainer.
The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST |
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ACCRUED AS PART OF TRUST EXPENSES |
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT |
TOTAL
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST & FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES |
|||||||||||||
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
William L. Boyan, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 129,250 | ||||||||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 159,250 | ||||||||
William L. Marshall, Trustee* |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee* |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Richard D. Shirk, Trustee* |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Rina K. Spence, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 127,500 | ||||||||
Bruce D. Taber, Trustee* |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Douglas T. Williams, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 139,250 | ||||||||
NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
Scott F. Powers, Trustee* |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
James E. Ross, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
* | Elected in January 2014. |
Code of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser and SSGM have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the Codes of Ethics) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, State Street or SSGM.
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PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
The Trust has adopted proxy voting procedures pursuant to which the Trust delegates the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Adviser as part of the Advisers general management of the Portfolios, subject to the Boards continuing oversight. A copy of the Trusts proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix B and a copy of the Advisers proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix C.
Shareholders may receive information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (i) by calling (877) 521-4083 or (ii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The Class G shares for the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is a new class and has no ownership information to disclose as of the date of this SAI.
As of April 1, 2014, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of each class (if applicable) of each Fund of the Trust.
Persons or organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may be presumed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) a Fund. As a result, these persons or organizations could have the ability to approve or reject those matters submitted to the shareholders of such Fund for their approval. As of April 1, 2014, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 25% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Administrative Shares |
||||
American United Life Insurance Company American Unit Trust One American Square P.O. Box 1995 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
95.37 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Class R Shares |
||||
American United Life Insurance Company American Unit Trust One America Square P.O. Box 1995 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
97.91 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund Service Shares |
||||
Nationwide Trust Company FBO Participating Retirement Plans (VNRS) C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting P.O. Box 182029 Columbus, OH 43218-2029 |
34.59 | % | ||
Calvert Distributors Inc. FBO DC Plan 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1000N Bethesda, MD 20814 |
52.91 | % |
32
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund Institutional Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients State Street Cash Sweep Support Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
46.22 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund Class M |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients State Street Cash Sweep Support Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund - Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
38.78 | % | ||
Saturn & Co Attn: Mutual Funds Operations 1200 Crown Colony Drive, CC1-3 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
51.98 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
94.66 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Institutional Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
83.45 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Institutional Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
71.09 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
96.51 | % |
33
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
68.49 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Institutional Class |
||||
State Street Bank & Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients Attn: Cash Sweep Support Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
89.19 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank and Trust Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
59.98 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Institutional Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients Attn: Cash Sweep Support-Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
84.95 | % | ||
American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund -Institutional Class |
||||
JP Morgan Chase Bank C/O JP Morgan/American Century RPS P.O. Box 419784 Kansas City, MO 64141-6784 |
96.68 | % | ||
American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund -Investor Class |
||||
TD Ameritrade Inc for the Exclusive benefit of our Clients PO Box 2226 Omaha, NE 68103-2226 |
30.63 | % |
34
As of April 1, 2014, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund- Institutional Class |
||||
Kuwait Investment Authority Attn: Adel N. Hamadah Ministries Complex Al Murgab Blk 3 Investment Accts Dept Fl 2 PO Box 64 Safat Kuwait 13001 |
8.06 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
||||
TyphoonBass & Co 12 Crown Colony Dr Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
23.99 | % | ||
Cyr & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust- Investment Class 1200 Crown Colony Drive Ste C1/3 Quincy, Ma 02116-0938 |
16.04 | % | ||
Saturn and Company- Institutional Class c/o State Street Bank and Trust Attn FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
6.30 | % | ||
Cyr & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust- Institutional Class 1200 Crown Colony Drive Ste C 1 / 3 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
8.17 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
||||
Saturn and Company c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company Attn: FCG 124 200 Clarendon Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
6.95 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
||||
Mainstay Marketfield Fund Attn Allan Kiser 292 Madison Ave FL 14 New York, NY 10017-6348 |
11.92 | % | ||
Stormcrew and Co C/O State Street Bank and Trust Company 1200 Crown Colony Dr Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
5.94 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
||||
JP Morgan Clearing Corp. Attn: Denise Dilorenzo 3 Chase Metrotech Center Brooklyn, NY 11245-0001 |
6.25 | % |
35
DST as Agent for Van Eck Universal Account FBO Van Eck Money Fund Attn: Bruce J. Smith 335 Madison Avenue 19th floor New York, NY 10017-4611 |
23.60 | % | ||
Neuberger Berman Management LLC FBO Neuberger Berman Funds Shareholders Attn Owen F. McEntee Jr. 605 Third Avenue Mail Drop 2-7 New York, NY 10158 |
6.19 | % | ||
American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund -Investor Class |
||||
National Financial Services Corp For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 5 th floor 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 |
16.33 | % | ||
Charles Schwab & Co. For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds Operations 9601 E. Panorama Center Englewood, CO 80112-3441 |
22.54 | % |
Investment Advisory Agreements
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (SSgA FM or the Adviser) is responsible for the investment management of the Funds pursuant to Investment Advisory Agreements dated May 1, 2001, February 14, 2002, February 7, 2007, October 2, 2007 and February 18, 2011, as amended from time to time (the Advisory Agreement), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser and State Street are wholly- owned subsidiaries of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company.
Each Fund currently invests all of its assets in a related Portfolio that has the same investment objectives and substantially the same investment policies as the relevant Fund. As long as a Fund remains completely invested in a Portfolio (or any other investment company), the Adviser is not entitled to receive any investment advisory fee with respect to the Fund. A Fund may withdraw its investment from the related Portfolio at any time. The Trust has retained the Adviser as investment adviser to manage a Funds assets in the event that the Fund withdraws its investment from its related Portfolio.
On February 18, 2011, the investment advisory agreement for each Money Fund was amended to reduce the management fee payable to SSgA FM to 0.05% of the Money Funds average daily net assets. SSgA FM does not receive any investment advisory fees from a Money Fund so long as the Money Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a Money Portfolio or in another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Money Fund.
The Adviser is also the investment adviser to each of the related Portfolios pursuant to investment advisory agreements (the Portfolio Advisory Agreement) between the Adviser and State Street Master Funds, on behalf of the Portfolios. The Adviser receives an investment advisory fee with respect to each related Portfolio. The Portfolio Advisory Agreement is the same in all material respects as the Advisory Agreement between the Trust on behalf of the Funds and the Adviser. Each Fund that invests in a related Portfolio bears a proportionate part of the management fees paid by the Portfolio (based on the percentage of the Portfolios assets attributable to the Fund).
36
The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of the shareholders of the Trust approve its continuance. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Trust without penalty upon sixty days notice and will terminate automatically upon its assignment. The Advisory Agreement was most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, on November 13, 2013.
The Adviser and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations that may be purchased on behalf of the Funds, including outstanding loans to such issuers that could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. The Adviser has informed the Funds that, in making its investment decisions, it will not obtain or use material inside information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Fund, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Fund is a customer of the Adviser, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, the Adviser, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers were held by any Fund managed by the Adviser or any such affiliate.
In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the Advisers other clients. Investment decisions for the Trust and for the Advisers other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of each Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Funds.
Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Premier Class and Investment Class of the ILR Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceed 0.12% and 0.47%, respectively, of each classs average daily net assets on an annualized basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the ILR Fund $0, $0 and $0, respectively, under these agreements. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The ILR Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $0 on the ILR Fund.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Tax Free Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $418,224 on the Tax Free Fund.
Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Premier Class and Investment Class of the U.S. Government Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceed 0.12% and 0.47% respectively, of each classs average daily net assets on an annualized
37
basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the U.S. Government Fund $0, $334,991 and $156,552, respectively, under this agreement. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The U.S. Government Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $1,976,248 on the U.S. Government Fund.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees of the Premier Class and Investment Class of the Treasury Fund to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $6,058,938 on the Treasury Fund.
Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Premier Class and Investment Class of the Treasury Plus Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceeded 0.12% and 0.47%, respectively, of each classs average daily net assets on an annualized basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the Treasury Plus Fund $266,958, $325,670 and $297,688, respectively, under this agreement. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Plus Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $1,004,830 on the Treasury Plus Fund.
On April 29, 2010, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Equity 2000 Index Fund (excluding pass-through expenses of the Equity 2000 Index Portfolio, non-recurring account fees and extraordinary expenses) to the extent that total operating expenses do not exceed 0.05% of the Equity 2000 Index Funds average daily net assets on an annualized basis. This contractual agreement remain in effect until April 30, 2015 and shall automatically renew for successive annual periods, unless SSgA FM provides notice to the Fund of its intent not to renew prior to the start of the next annual period. This agreement may not be terminated without prior approval from the Board of Trustees. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the Equity 2000 Index Fund $0, $0 and $0, respectively, under this agreement.
Administrator
Under the Administrative Services Agreement (the Non-Money Market Funds Administration Agreement), State Street is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of Trustees of the Trust reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Trust and all Funds except the Money Market Funds (the Non-Money Market Funds). State Street will generally assist in all aspects of the Trusts and the Non-Money Market Funds operations; supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in State Streets own offices); provide statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, the Non-Money Market Funds investment objectives and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage;
38
calculate NAVs, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services. Pursuant to the Non-Money Market Funds Administration Agreement, the Trust has agreed to a limitation on damages and to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from the Administrators gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties.
Effective February 1, 2011, SSgA FM serves as the administrator for the Money Funds pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement. Under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, SSgA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and each Money Fund and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, SSgA FM supplies the Trust and each Money Fund with the following services, among others, under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement: provide the Trust with adequate office space and all necessary office equipment and services; prepare and submit reports and meeting materials to the Board of Trustees and to existing shareholders for meetings of shareholders; assist the Funds in posting and maintaining required schedules of investments and related information on their websites; prepare reports relating to the business and affairs of the Trust as may be mutually agreed upon; provide to the Trusts Board of Trustees periodic and special reports and recommendations; coordinate the meetings of the Board and its Committees; provide consultation on regulatory matters relating to portfolio management; act as liaison to legal counsel to the Trust; assist the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trusts compliance program; perform certain compliance procedures for the Trust; provide consultation and advice for resolving compliance questions together with the Funds outside legal counsel; provide periodic testing of portfolios; maintain and preserve, or oversee the maintenance and preservation of, accounts, books, financial records and other documents as required by the 1940 Act, applicable federal and state laws and any other law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to a Fund (including in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to the extent required under applicable law); facilitate audits of accounts by a Funds independent public accountants; oversee the determination and publication of the Trusts net asset value in accordance with the Trusts policy as adopted from time to time by the Board; prepare the Trusts federal, state and local income tax returns for review by the Trusts independent accountants and filing by the Trusts treasurer; review the calculation of, submit for approval by officers of the Trust and arrange for payment of the Trusts expenses; and prepare and file with the SEC amendments to the Trusts registration statement, including updating the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Prior to February 1, 2011, State Street served as the administrator for the Money Funds. The nature and amount of services provided by SSgA under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement may vary as between classes of shares of a Fund, and a Fund may pay fees to SSgA FM under that Agreement at different rates in respect of its different share classes.
Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
Effective February 1, 2011, State Street serves as the sub-administrator for the Money Funds pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement among SSgA FM, State Street and, for certain limited purposes, the Trust. Under the Sub-Administration Agreement for the Money Funds (the State Street Administration Agreement), State Street is obligated to provide administrative services to the Trust and the Money Market Funds. State Street provides the following services, among others, to the Trust and the Money Market Funds under the Sub-Administration Agreement: supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in State Streets own offices); provide statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, the Money Market Funds investment objectives and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage; calculate NAVs, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services. State Street also provides such other services with respect to the Trust or a Money Market Fund as agreed with SSgA FM from time to time.
39
State Street serves as Custodian for the Funds pursuant to the Custody Agreement and holds the Funds assets.
State Street also serves as Transfer Agent of the Equity 500 Index Fund, Equity 400 Index Fund, Equity 2000 Index Fund and Aggregate Bond Index Fund. Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as Transfer Agent to all other Funds in this SAI.
As consideration for State Streets services as administrator, transfer agent and custodian to the Equity 500 Index Fund, and for State Streets assumption of the ordinary expenses of that Fund, State Street receives from the Equity 500 Index Fund an annual fee, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th of the applicable fee rate and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, of the following annual percentages of the Equity 500 Index Funds average daily net assets during the month:
Index Fund |
Annual percentage
of average daily net assets |
|||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
||||
- Administrative Shares |
0.05 | % | ||
- Service Shares |
0.05 | % | ||
- Class R Shares |
0.05 | % |
As consideration for State Streets services as administrator and custodian to the other non-Money Market Funds, State Street shall receive from each such Fund an annual fee, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedule:
Annual Fee Schedule
$25,000 for Administration Services
$12,600 for Custody and Accounting Services
Except as noted below, as consideration for SSgA FMs services as administrator to each Money Fund, SSgA FM receives an annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of such Money Fund, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.
As consideration for SSgA FMs services as administrator with respect to the ILR Fund, SSgA FM receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares of the Fund other than the amounts attributable to the Class M shares, in respect of which it receives a fee at an annual rate of 0.03% of the average daily net assets attributable to that share class. The fees are accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.
As consideration for SSgA FMs services as administrator with respect to the U.S. Government Money Market Fund, SSgA FM receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares of the Fund other than the amounts attributable to the Class G shares, in respect of which it receives a fee at an annual rate of 0.01% of the average daily net assets attributable to that share class. The fees are accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.
As consideration for State Streets services as sub-administrator, custodian and accounting agent for each Money Fund, State Street receives annual fees, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedule:
Annual Fee Schedule
$25,000 for Sub-Administration Services (payable by SSgA FM with respect to each Money Fund)
$12,600 for Custody and Accounting Services (payable by each Money Fund)
40
The administration, custodian and transfer agency fees (if applicable) paid to State Street for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2011 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2012 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
$ | 130,031 | $ | 141,704 | $ | 169,918 | ||||||
ILR Fund |
$ | 42,321 | $ | 42,566 | $ | 42,239 | ||||||
Tax Free Fund |
$ | 42,256 | $ | 42,065 | $ | 42,069 | ||||||
U.S. Government Fund |
$ | 42,256 | $ | 42,066 | $ | 42,069 | ||||||
Treasury Fund |
$ | 42,271 | $ | 42,103 | $ | 42,069 | ||||||
Treasury Plus Fund |
$ | 42,330 | $ | 42,189 | $ | 42,108 |
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) serves as the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent. BFDS is a joint venture of State Street Corporation and DST Systems, Inc. BFDS is paid for the following annual account services: opening an account; closing an account; investor services; CDSC services; omnibus transparency services; and investigation services. BFDS is also paid for the following activities: telephone calls; teleservicing; telephone transactions; fulfillment; IRA custodial services; and charges related to compliance and regulatory services.
Portfolio fees are allocated to each Fund based on the average net asset value of each Fund and are billable on a monthly basis at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee. BFDS is reimbursed by each Fund for supplying certain out-of-pocket expenses including confirmation statements, investor statements, banking fees, postage, forms, audio response, telephone, records retention, customized programming/enhancements, reports, transcripts, microfilm, microfiche, and expenses incurred at the specific direction of the Fund. BFDSs principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171.
The transfer agency fees paid to BFDS for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2011 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31 2012 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31 2013 |
|||||||||
ILR Fund |
$ | 44,500 | $ | 60,679 | $ | 72,521 | ||||||
Tax Free Fund |
$ | 21,264 | $ | 21,875 | $ | 22,692 | ||||||
U.S. Government Fund |
$ | 32,490 | $ | 37,153 | $ | 40,837 | ||||||
Treasury Fund |
$ | 22,156 | $ | 24,730 | $ | 26,921 | ||||||
Treasury Plus Fund |
$ | 21,758 | $ | 21,085 | $ | 22,478 |
Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans
To compensate State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM) for the services it provides and for the expenses it bears in connection with the distribution of shares of the Funds, each Fund may make payments from the assets attributable to certain classes of its shares to SSGM under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Distribution Plan). The Distribution Plan is a compensation plan that provides for payments at annual rates (based on average daily net assets) set out below. Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales loads. It is expected that SSGM will pay substantially all of the amounts it receives under the Plan to intermediaries involved in the sale of shares of the Funds, including affiliates of the Advisor. The principal business address of SSGM is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. SSGM is the Funds distributor.
The Distribution Plan will continue in effect with respect to a class of shares of a Fund only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (the Independent Trustees) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any
41
agreements related thereto (the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of a Funds permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected share class and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote of the majority of both the Trustees and the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees. As of December 31, 2013 none of the Independent Trustees of the Trust had a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund |
||||
Administrative Shares |
0.15 | % | ||
Service Shares |
0.25 | % | ||
Class R Shares |
0.60 | % | ||
State Street Equity 400 Index Fund |
0.25 | % | ||
State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund |
0.25 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
0.25 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
||||
Premier Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
||||
Premier Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % | ||
Class G |
0.00 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
||||
Premier Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
||||
Premier Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
||||
Premier Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % |
42
The total Distributor fees paid to SSGM and Other Intermediaries pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan for the last fiscal year are reflected in the chart below.
Fund |
SSGM
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Other
Intermediaries Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund: Administrative Shares |
$ | 0 | $ | 307,944 | ||||
Equity 500 Index Fund: Service Shares |
$ | 0 | $ | 266,571 | ||||
Equity 500 Index Fund: Class R Shares |
$ | 0 | $ | 167,470 | ||||
ILR Fund: Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Tax Free Fund: Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
U.S. Government Fund: Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Treasury Fund: Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Treasury Plus Fund: Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 |
Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, the Trust may pay a shareholder servicing fee for the provision of personal services to and the maintenance of shareholder accounts of investors in the Investment Class, Service Class, Administration Class, Institutional Class and Investor Class shares of the Money Market Funds. Shareholder servicing fees paid for the last fiscal year included amounts paid to State Street Bank and Trust Company, Wealth Management Services (WMS), an affiliate of the Adviser. WMS is among the financial intermediaries which may receive fees from the Rule 12b-1 Plan.
The Shareholder Servicing Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:
Investment
Class |
Service
Class |
Administration
Class |
Institutional
Class |
Investor
Class |
||||||||||||||||
ILR Fund |
0.25 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||
U.S. Government Fund |
0.25 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||
Tax Free Fund |
0.25 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||
Treasury Fund |
0.25 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.08 | % | ||||||||||
Treasury Plus Fund |
0.25 | % | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.08 | % |
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ropes & Gray LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. The principal business address of Ropes & Gray LLP is 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. Joseph P. Barri LLC, located at 259 Robbins Street, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, serves as independent counsel to the independent Trustees.
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and provides (i) audit services and (ii) tax services. In connection with the audit of the 2013 financial statements, the Trust entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP that sets forth the terms of Ernst & Young LLPs audit engagement. The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
The following persons serve as the portfolio managers of the Equity 500 Portfolio as of the date of this SAI. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each individual and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2013:
43
Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio |
Registered
Investment Company Accounts |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other
Accounts |
Assets
Managed $ billions) |
Total
Assets Managed ($ billions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
John A. Tucker |
Equity 500 Index Portfolio |
113 | $ | 161.48 | 261 | $ | 408.54 | 508 | $ | 476.58 | $ | 1,046.60 | ||||||||||||||||||
Karl Schneider |
Equity 500 Index Portfolio |
113 | $ | 161.48 | 261 | $ | 408.54 | 508 | $ | 467.58 | $ | 1,046.60 |
As indicated in the table above, portfolio managers at the Adviser may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies (which include exchange-traded funds), other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. The portfolio managers do not beneficially own any shares of any Portfolio as of December 31, 2013.
When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts may arise out of: (a) the portfolio managers execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or investment opportunities.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the respective Portfolio. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, an account may sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the fund maintained its position in that security.
A potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees. The difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participates in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to be fair and equitable.
The compensation of SSgAs investment professionals is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, State Street performance, SSgA performance, and individual performance. Each year our Global Human Resources department participates in compensation surveys in order to provide SSgA with critical, market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions. Additionally, subject to State Street and SSgA business results, State Street allocates an incentive pool to SSgA to reward its employees. Because the size of the incentive pool is based on the firms overall profitability, each staff member is motivated to contribute both as an individual and as a team member.
The incentive pool is allocated to the various functions within SSgA. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to business units is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall
44
performance of the group. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employees manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employees business unit. These decisions are based on the performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Each Fund invests all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio and therefore does not directly incur transactional costs for purchases and sales of portfolio investments. The Funds purchase and redeem shares of the corresponding Portfolio each day depending on the number of shares of such Fund purchased or redeemed by investors on that day. Shares of the Portfolios are available for purchase by the Funds at their NAV without any sales charges, transaction fees, or brokerage commissions being charged.
All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of the Portfolios by the Adviser. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because a Portfolio pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealers cost and the cost to a Portfolio. When a Portfolio executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. The Money Portfolios, Treasury Portfolios, Tax Free Portfolio and the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio normally do not pay a stated brokerage commission on transactions.
Each Portfolios investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser to place, in the name of the Portfolio, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest, provided the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser), the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not currently use any Portfolios assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION
Capitalization
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of each Fund. Upon liquidation or dissolution of a Fund, investors are entitled to share pro rata in the Funds net assets available for distribution to its investors. Investments in a Fund have no preference, preemptive, conversion or similar rights, except as determined by the Trustees or as set forth in the Bylaws, and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.
Declarations of Trust
The Declarations of Trust of the Trust and the Master Trust each provide that a Trust may redeem shares of a Fund at the redemption price that would apply if the share redemption were initiated by a shareholder. It is the policy of
45
each Trust that, except upon such conditions as may from time to time be set forth in the then current prospectus of the Trust or to facilitate a Trusts or a Funds compliance with applicable law or regulation, a Trust would not initiate a redemption of shares unless it were to determine that failing to do so may have a substantial adverse consequence for a Fund or the Trust.
Each Trusts Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Trust will be deemed independent and disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding. It is the policy of each Trust that it will not assert that provision to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing policy will not prevent the Trusts from asserting applicable law (including Section 2B of Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding.
A Trust will not deviate from the foregoing policies in a manner that adversely affects the rights of shareholders of a Fund without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund.
Voting
Each investor is entitled to a vote in proportion to the number of Fund shares it owns. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees, and investors holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares in the Trust may elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so. The Trust is not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of investors but the Trust will hold special meetings of shareholders when in the judgment of the Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote.
Massachusetts Business Trust
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders in a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification out of the property of the applicable series of the Trust for any loss to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of that series and for reimbursement of the shareholder for all expense arising from such liability. Thus the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series would be unable to meet its obligations.
Pricing of shares of the Funds does not occur on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays. The NYSE is open for trading every weekday except for: (a) the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday, Washingtons Birthday (the third Monday in February), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Purchases and withdrawals will be effected at the time of determination of NAV next following the receipt of any purchase or withdrawal order which is determined to be in good order.
The Money Market Funds seek to maintain a constant price per share of $1.00 for purposes of sales and redemptions of shares by using the amortized cost valuation method to value its portfolio instruments in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that the $1.00 NAV per share will be maintained. The amortized cost method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, even though the portfolio security may increase or decrease in market value generally in response to changes in interest rates. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price each Money Market Fund would receive if it sold the instrument.
For example, in periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on each of the Money Market Funds shares computed by dividing the annualized daily income on the Funds portfolio by the NAV based upon the amortized cost valuation technique may tend to be higher than a similar computation made by using a method of valuation
46
based upon market prices and estimates thereof. In periods of rising interest rates, the daily yield on each Funds shares computed the same way may tend to be lower than a similar computation made by using a method of calculation based upon market prices and estimates.
The Trustees have established procedures reasonably designed to stabilize each Money Market Funds and the Tax Free Funds price per share at $1.00. These procedures include: (1) the determination of the deviation from $1.00, if any, of each Funds NAV using market values; (2) periodic review by the Trustees of the amount of and the methods used to calculate the deviation; and (3) maintenance of records of such determination. The Trustees will promptly consider what action, if any, should be taken if such deviation exceeds 1/2 of one percent.
The Funds securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies are considering rules that may have the effect of changing significantly the structure of money market funds. It is not possible at this time predict whether such rules will be adopted or the effects they will have on money market funds generally or on the Funds in particular.
The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of investment in the Funds is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situations.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of its assets are invested (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC. Where, as here, each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the nature and character of each Funds
47
income and gains will generally be determined at the Portfolio level and each Fund will be allocated its share of Portfolio income and gains. Consequently, references in this discussion of Taxation of the Funds to income, gains and losses of a Fund will generally be to income, gains and losses recognized at the Portfolio level and allocated to or otherwise taken into account by the Fund. In the discussion below, Portfolio refers to the series of the State Street Master Funds in which the relevant Fund(s) invest their assets.
In addition, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) above), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive-type income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Further, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.
For purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Portfolio investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Funds ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.
If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to tax at the Fund level on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided, in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Funds shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income (if any), and may distribute its net capital gain. Any taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If the Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (b) of the preceding sentence. The Funds are not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
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In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as the greatest of net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss, in each case attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date, if the RIC is permitted to elect and so elects)) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above), plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year. If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal, in general, to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or a later date if the Fund makes the election referred to above), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RICs ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November and December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Funds net investment income. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (post-2010 losses), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. If a Fund incurred net capital losses in a taxable year beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), the Fund is permitted to carry such losses forward for eight taxable years; in the year to which they are carried forward, such losses are treated as short-term capital losses that first offset any short-term capital gains, and then offset any long-term capital gains. A Fund must use any post-2010 losses, which will not expire, before it uses any pre-2011 losses. This increases the likelihood that pre-2011 losses will expire unused at the conclusion of the eight-year carryforward period. A Funds ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (a) acquisitive reorganizations and (b) shifts in the ownership of the Fund by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of the Fund. See a Funds most recent annual shareholder report for the Funds available capital loss carryovers as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.
Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income (other than exempt-interest dividends, described below) are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Portfolio owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. In general, a Fund will recognize its allocable share of long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year , and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net-capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The Money Market Funds and Tax Free Fund do not expect to distribute Capital Gain Dividends. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund and the Bond Fund generally do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Portfolio level. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.
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In addition, Section 1411 of the Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and of certain trusts and estates under similar rules. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by the Fund of net investment income and capital gains (other than exempt-interest dividends, described below) as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.
Shareholders of a Fund will be subject to federal income taxes as described herein on distributions made by the Fund whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Distributions on a Funds shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds allocable share of its Portfolios realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Funds net asset value reflects either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains, that were therefore included in the price the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of the Funds shares below the shareholders cost basis in those shares. As described above, a Fund is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks in its Portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (a) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (b) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (c) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (d) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (i) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (ii) treated as a passive foreign investment company.
In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends allocated to a Fund by a Portfolio during any taxable year are 95% or more of the Funds gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by a Portfolio and allocated to the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend so allocated to a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends- received deduction (a) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Portfolio has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (b) to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (x) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (y) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the
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dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Any Fund distribution of income that is attributable to (a) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (b) dividend income received by a Portfolio on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Similarly, any Fund distribution of income that is attributable to (x) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of tax-exempt interest with respect to securities on loan or (y) tax-exempt interest received by a Portfolio on tax-exempt securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute an exempt- interest dividend to shareholders.
If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
If a Portfolio holds, directly or indirectly, one or more tax credit bonds (including build America bonds issued before January 1, 2011, clean renewable energy bonds, and qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, a Fund investing in the Portfolio may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholders proportionate share of tax credits from the bond otherwise allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to the tax credits. A shareholders ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, and the amount of the tax credits may not exceed the amount reported by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. Even if a Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.
If a Portfolio receives tax credit bond credits from a RIC in which the Portfolio invests (an investment company), and the investment company made an election to pass through such tax credits to its shareholders, then the Fund is permitted in turn to elect to pass through its proportionate share of those tax credits to its shareholders, provided that the Fund meets the shareholder notice and other requirements.
Investments in Other Regulated Investment Companies
In certain cases, the amount of income and gains realized by a Portfolio from its investments in shares of underlying RICs (underlying funds) may be greater (or less) than such amounts would have been had the Portfolio invested directly in securities held by the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the tax attributes of such income and gains (e.g., long-term capital gain, eligibility for the dividends-received deduction, etc.) may not be the same as it would have been had the Portfolio invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.
If a Portfolio receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then a Fund investing in the Portfolio is permitted in turn to report its portion of such dividends as qualified dividend income when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.
If a Portfolio receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends- received deduction, then a Fund investing in the Portfolio is permitted in turn to report its portion of such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.
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Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions
A Portfolios transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of a Portfolios securities. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of income, gains, losses and other tax items that are allocable to shareholders and could cause shareholders to be taxed on amounts not representing economic income. Because the tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may cause changes in an investors allocation of any tax item, possibly for prior years. Thus, in the case of investors that are RICs under the Code, these changes may affect whether such an investor has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.
Certain of a Portfolios investments in derivative instruments and its hedging activities are likely to produce a difference between the book income and the taxable income of a Fund investing in the Portfolio. If there are differences between a Funds book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund may be required to distribute amounts in excess of its book income or a portion of Fund distributions may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders. If a Funds book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Funds remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Funds book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
Exempt-Interest Dividends
The Tax Free Fund intends to pay dividends (exempt-interest dividends) that pass through to shareholders the tax-exempt character of exempt interest earned by the Tax Free Portfolio for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Fund is eligible to pay exempt-interest dividends only for taxable years in which, at the end of each quarter, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of securities generating interest that is exempt from federal tax under section 103(a) of the Code. The Tax Free Portfolio (and therefore the Tax Free Fund) intends to satisfy this requirement. Fund distributions reported as exempt-interest dividends are not generally taxable to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but they may be subject to state and local taxes. In addition, an investment in the Fund may result in liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, both for individual and corporate shareholders. For example, if the Fund invests in private activity bonds, certain shareholders may become subject to alternative minimum tax on the part of the Funds distributions derived from interest on such bonds.
Distributions of the Tax Free Funds income and gains other than exempt-interest dividends generally will be taxable as ordinary income, except that any distributions of Capital Gain Dividends (defined above) will be taxable as long-term capital gains.
Entities or persons who are substantial users (or persons related to substantial users) of facilities financed by private activity bonds (PABs) or industrial development bonds (IDBs) should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of a Fund because, for users of certain of these facilities, the interest on those bonds is not exempt from federal income tax. For these purposes, the term substantial user is defined generally to include a non-exempt person who regularly uses in trade or business a part of a facility financed from the proceeds of PABs or IDBs.
Up to 85% of social security and railroad retirement benefits may be included in taxable income for recipients whose adjusted gross income (including income from tax-exempt sources such as the Funds) plus 50% of their
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benefits exceeds certain base amounts. Exempt-interest dividends paid by the Funds still are tax-exempt to the extent described in each Funds Prospectus; but they are included in the calculation of whether a recipients income exceeds the base amounts, and may therefore increase the amount of benefits that is taxable to the recipient.
Foreign Income
Income received by a Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is not feasible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of a Portfolios assets to be invested in various countries (if any) will vary.
Investments in Original Issue Discount Securities
A Portfolios investment in securities issued at a discount and certain other obligations will (and investments in securities purchased at a discount may) require a Fund to accrue, and allocate to shareholders, income not yet received. Some debt obligations that are acquired by a Portfolio, including all zero coupon debt obligations, with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is allocated to shareholders over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.
In addition, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired in the secondary market by a Portfolio may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. Elections applicable to debt obligations having market discount, may affect the character and timing of recognition of income by shareholders.
Furthermore, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Portfolio may be treated as having market discount or OID. Generally, a Fund investing in such a Portfolio will be required to include the market discount or OID in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. Elections applicable to debt obligations having market discount or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income by shareholders.
Securities Purchased at a Premium
Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity that is, at a premium the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortized premium.
Investments Mortgage Pooling Vehicles
A Portfolio may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Funds income (including income allocated to the Portfolio from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a partnership, such as a Portfolio, will be allocated to partners in the partnership consistent with the allocation of other items of income, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly.
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In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, that invest in RIC to which the Fund allocates, excess inclusion income, thereby potentially requiring an entity to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that invests in such RIC to which the Fund allocates excess inclusion income, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
Backup Withholding
A Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under- reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends. The backup withholding rate is 28%.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Redemptions and Exchanges
Redemptions and exchanges of each Funds shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders may realize gain or loss on these transactions. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder sells Fund shares at a loss within six months after purchasing the shares, the loss will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. In addition, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be disallowed, to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Furthermore, no loss will be allowed on the sale of Fund shares to the extent the shareholder acquired other substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the sale of the loss shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund other than a Money Market Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Funds Prospectus for more information.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a RIC that would be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation
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enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in each Fund. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.
Tax Shelter Reporting
If a Fund shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the Funds. Distributions properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends generally will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. However, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to backup withholding (as discussed above). In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a U.S. person within the meaning of the Code ( a foreign person) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. For distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning before January 1, 2014, a Fund was not required to withhold any amounts (a) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (i) that had not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend were attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that was within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend were attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person was a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions were properly reported by each Fund in a written notice to shareholders (interest-related dividends), and (b) with respect to distributions (other than (i) distributions to an individual foreign person who was present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (ii) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (described below)) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions were properly reported by each Fund in a written notice to shareholders (short-term capital gain dividends). A Fund was permitted to report such parts of its dividends as are eligible, to be treated as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, but is not required to, and may not do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld even if a Fund reported all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
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This exemption from withholding for interest-related and short-term capital gain dividends has expired for distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Therefore, as of the date of this SAI, the Funds (or intermediaries, as applicable) are currently required to withhold on distributions to foreign shareholders attributable to net interest or short-term capital gains that were formerly eligible for this withholding exemption. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption for distributions with respect to taxable years of the Funds beginning on or after January 1, 2014, or what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect.
A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends or exempt-interest dividends unless (a) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (b) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the gain or loss realized on the sale of shares of a Fund or the Capital Gain Dividends are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) as defined generally below.
Foreign persons with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign person within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign person is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Special rules apply to distributions to certain foreign shareholders from a RIC that is either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC absent exclusions from USRPI treatment for interests in domestically controlled REITs (or, prior to January 1, 2014, RICs) and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs or RICs. Additionally, special rules apply to the sale of shares in a RIC that is a USRPHC or former USRPHC. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs (including indirectly through a Portfolio) USRPIs are defined generally as any interest in U.S. real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and other trade or business assets. Again very generally, these special rules may entail withholding and other taxes on certain distributions to and redemptions by foreign shareholders related to a Funds investment in USRPIs or, in some cases, an underlying funds investments in USRPIs. Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the above-mentioned exclusions, and thus does not expect these special tax rules to apply.
In order for a foreign person to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or from lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back back-up withholding, the foreign person must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.
A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax on income referred to above.
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Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect To Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their financial interest in the Funds foreign financial accounts, if any, on Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) generally requires a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, a Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on dividends (other than exempt-interest dividends), including Capital Gain Dividends, and the proceeds of the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain and interest-related dividends); beginning as early as January 1, 2014.
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
General Considerations
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under the current U.S. federal income tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is for general information only and not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax laws and any proposed tax law changes.
State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds Distributor (the Distributor) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Funds pay the Distributor fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect for the Funds. For a description of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, see Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans, above. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific number of shares and will sell shares of a Fund on a continuous basis only against orders to purchase shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.
The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for the Funds in operation at that date are included in the Annual Report of the Trust, which was filed with the SEC on March 10, 2014 as part of the Trusts filing on Form N-CSR (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-13-098256) and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Annual Report is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869.
SSITUSGCLGSAI
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RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODYS) LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS. The following is a description of Moodys debt instrument ratings.
Aaa Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A Bonds that are rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Baa rated bonds are considered medium-grade obligations, and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics and are subject to moderate credit risk.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B and Lower Bonds which are rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Bonds which are rated
Caa are of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
P-1 Moodys short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers (or supporting institutions) to honor short-term financial obligations. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The designation Prime-1 or P-1 indicates a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
STANDARD & POORS RATING GROUP (S&P). S&Ps ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (i) the likelihood of default capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (ii) the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and (iii) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
AAA Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality obligations. Their capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only by a small degree.
A Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher-rated categories.
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BBB Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.
BB and Lower Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The ratings AA to C may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
A-1- Standard & Poors short-term issue credit ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of timely payments of debt having original maturity of no more than 365 days. The A-1 designation indicates that the capacity for payment is extremely strong.
A-2- The capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, a short-term debt with this rating is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debts in higher rating categories.
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.
FITCH RATINGS. (FITCH).
Fitch Ratings cover a global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue.
AAA Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for 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 default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB Speculative BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.
Fitch Ratings appends the modifiers + or - to denote relative status within the major rating categories.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of up to 13 months for most obligations, or up to 36 months for US public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1. Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2. Good short-term credit quality. A Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
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F3. Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B. Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C. High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
D. Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.
E. Restricted Default. Indicates an entity has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.
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SSgA FUNDS
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
As of February 13, 2014
The Boards of Trustees of the SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each a Trust) 1 have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts investment portfolios.
1. | Proxy Voting Policy |
The policy of the Trust is to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust to SSgA Funds Management, Inc., the Trusts investment adviser (the Adviser), subject to the Trustees continuing oversight.
2. | Fiduciary Duty |
The right to vote proxies with respect to a portfolio security held by the Trust is an asset of the Trust. The Adviser acts as a fiduciary of the Trust and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders.
3. | Proxy Voting Procedures |
A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (Policy). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees of material changes to its Policy promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees after such amendment is implemented.
B. With respect to any proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser shall submit a report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy at the next regular meeting of the Board or Trustees. For this purpose, a conflict of interest shall be deemed to occur when the Adviser, the principal underwriter of the Trust (the Principal Underwriter) or an affiliated person of the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter has a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy to be voted on behalf of a Trust, other than the obligations the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter incurs as a service provider to the Trust, which may compromise the Advisers or Principal Underwriters independence of judgment and action in voting the proxy.
C. At least annually, the Adviser shall inform the Trustees that a record is available with respect to each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust during the year. Also see Section 5 below.
4. | Revocation of Authority to Vote |
The delegation by the Trustees of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Trust may be revoked by the Trustees, in whole or in part, at any time.
1 | Unless otherwise noted, the singular term Trust used throughout this document means each of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust. |
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5. | Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record |
The Adviser shall provide the required data for each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust to the Trust or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trusts annual proxy voting report on Form N-PX for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is required to be filed not later than August 31 of each year.
6. | Disclosures |
A. | The Trust shall include in its registration statement: |
1. A description of this policy and of the policies and procedures used by the Adviser to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) website.
B. | The Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders: |
1. A statement disclosing that a description of the policies and procedures used by or on behalf of the Trust to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SECs website; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SECs website.
7. | Review of Policy |
The Trustees shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.
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State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc. (SSgA FM), one of the industrys largest institutional asset managers, is the investment management arm of State Street Bank and Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a leading provider of financial services to institutional investors. As an investment manager, SSgA FM has discretionary proxy voting authority over most of its client accounts, and SSgA FM votes these proxies in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments as described in the SSgA FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles.
SSgA FM maintains Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines for select markets, including: the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, emerging markets and Japan. International markets that do not have specific guidelines are reviewed and voted consistent with our Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles; however, SSgA FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting in these various markets.
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SSgA FMs APPROACH TO
PROXY VOTING AND ISSUER ENGAGEMENT
At SSgA FM, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. We have a dedicated team of corporate governance professionals who help us carry out our duties as a responsible investor. These duties include engaging with companies, developing and enhancing in-house corporate governance policies, analyzing corporate governance issues on a case-by-case basis at the company level, and exercising our voting rightsall to maximize shareholder value.
SSgA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles (the Principles) may take different perspectives on common governance issues that vary from one market to another and, likewise, engagement activity may take different forms in order to best achieve long-term engagement goals. We believe that proxy voting and engagement with portfolio companies is often the most direct and productive way shareholders can exercise their ownership rights, and taken together, we view these tools to be an integral part of the overall investment process.
We believe engagement and voting activity have a direct relationship. As a result, the integration of our engagement activities, while leveraging the exercise of our voting rights, provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long-term economic value of the holdings in our client accounts. SSgA FM maximizes its voting power and engagement by maintaining a centralized proxy voting and active ownership process covering all holdings, regardless of strategy. Despite the different investment views and objectives across SSgA FM, depending on the product or strategy, the fiduciary responsibilities of share ownership and voting for which SSgA FM has voting discretion are carried out with a single voice and objective.
The Principles support governance structures that we believe add to, or maximize shareholder value at the companies held in our clients portfolios. SSgA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies to discuss our principles, including sustainability related risks. In addition, we encourage issuers to find ways of increasing the amount of direct communication board members have with shareholders. We believe direct communication with executive board members and independent non-executive directors is critical to helping companies understand shareholder concerns. Conversely, where
appropriate, we conduct collaborative engagement activities with multiple shareholders and communicate with company representatives about common concerns.
In conducting our engagements, SSgA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country, including the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system, the quality of regulatory oversight, the enforcement of property and shareholder rights and the independence of the judiciary to name a few. SSgA FM understands that regulatory requirements and investor expectations relating to governance practices and engagement activities differ from country-to-country. As a result, SSgA FM engages with issuers, regulators, or both, depending on the market. SSgA FM also is a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy at the country level as well as issuer specific concerns at a company level.
To help mitigate company specific risk, the team may collaborate with members of the active investment teams to engage with companies on corporate governance issues and address any specific concerns, or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. Outside of proxy voting season, SSgA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies covering various corporate governance and sustainability related topics.
The SSgA FM Governance Team uses a blend of quantitative and qualitative research and data to support screens to help identify issuers where active engagement may be necessary to protect and promote shareholder value. Issuer engagement
may also be event driven, focusing on issuer specific corporate governance, sustainability concerns or wider industry related trends. SSgA FM also gives consideration to the size of our total position of the issuer in question and/or the potential negative governance, performance profile, and circumstance at hand. As a result, SSgA FM believes issuer engagement can take many forms and be triggered under numerous circumstances. The following methods represent how SSgA FM defines engagement methods:
Active
SSgA FM uses screening tools designed to capture a mix of company specific data including governance and sustainability profiles to help us focus our voting and engagement activity.
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SSgA FM will actively seek direct dialogue with the board and management of companies we have identified through our screening processes. Such engagements may lead to further monitoring to ensure the company improves its governance or sustainability practices. In these cases, the engagement process represents the most meaningful opportunity for SSgA FM to protect long-term shareholder value from excessive risk due to poor governance and sustainability practices.
Recurring
SSgA FM has ongoing dialogue with its largest holdings on corporate governance and sustainability issues. SSgA FM maintains regular face-to-face meetings with these issuers, allowing SSgA FM to reinforce key tenets of good corporate governance and actively advise these issuers around concerns that SSgA FM feels may negatively impact long-term shareholder value.
Reactive
Reactive engagement is initiated by the issuers. SSgA FM routinely discusses specific voting issues and items with the issuer community. Reactive engagement is an opportunity to address not only voting items, but also a wide range of governance and sustainability issues.
Measurement
Assessing the effectiveness of our issuer engagement process is often difficult. To limit the subjectivity of measuring our success we actively seek issuer feedback and monitor the actions issuers take post-engagement to identify tangible changes. By doing so, we are able to establish indicators to gauge how issuers respond to our concerns and to what degree these responses satisfy our requests. It is also important to note that successful engagement activity can be measured over differing time periods depending on the facts and circumstances involved. Engagements can last as short as a single meeting or span multiple years.
Depending on the issue and whether the engagement activity is reactive, recurring, or active, engagement with issuers can take the form of written communication, conference calls, or face-to-face meetings.
SSgA FM believes active engagement is best conducted directly with company management or board members. Collaborative
engagement, where multiple shareholders communicate with company representatives, can serve as a potential forum for issues that are not identified by SSgA FM as requiring active engagement, such as shareholder conference calls.
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
Oversight
The SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team is responsible for implementing the Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines (the Guidelines), case-by-case voting items, issuer engagement activities, and research and analysis of governance-related issues. The implementation of the Guidelines is overseen by the SSgA Global Proxy Review Committee (SSgA PRC), a committee of investment, compliance and legal professionals, who provide guidance on proxy issues as described in greater detail below. Oversight of the proxy voting process is ultimately the responsibility of the SSgA Investment Committee. The SSgA Investment Committee reviews and approves amendments to the Guidelines. The SSgA PRC reports to the SSgA Investment Committee, and may refer certain significant proxy items to that committee.
Proxy Voting Process
In order to facilitate SSgA FMs proxy voting process, SSgA FM retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), a firm with expertise in proxy voting and corporate governance. SSgA FM utilizes ISSs services in three ways: (1) as SSgA FMs proxy voting agent (providing SSgA FM with vote execution and administration services); (2) for applying the Guidelines; and (3) as providers of research and analysis relating to general corporate governance issues and specific proxy items.
The SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team reviews the Guidelines with ISS on an annual basis or on a case-by- case basis as needed. On most routine proxy voting items (e.g., ratification of auditors), ISS will affect the proxy votes in accordance with the Guidelines.
In other cases, the Corporate Governance Team will evaluate the proxy solicitation to determine how to vote based on facts and circumstances, consistent with the Principles, and the accompanying Guidelines, that seek to maximize the value of our client accounts.
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In some instances, the Corporate Governance Team may refer significant issues to the SSgA PRC for a determination of the proxy vote. In addition, in determining whether to refer a proxy vote to the SSgA PRC, the Corporate Governance Team will consider whether a material conflict of interest exists between the interests of our client and those of SSgA FM or its affiliates (as explained in greater detail below under Conflict of Interest).
SSgA FM votes in all markets where it is feasible; however, SSgA FM may refrain from voting meetings when power of attorney documentation is required, where voting will have a material impact on our ability to trade the security, where issuer-specific special documentation is required or where various market or issuer certifications are required. SSgA FM is unable to vote proxies when certain custodians, used by our clients, do not offer proxy voting in a jurisdiction, or when they charge a meeting specific fee in excess of the typical custody service agreement.
Conflict of Interest
From time to time, SSgA FM will review a proxy which may present a potential conflict of interest. In general, we do not believe matters that fall within the Guidelines and are voted consistently with the Guidelines present any potential conflicts, since the vote on the matter has effectively been determined without reference to the soliciting entity. However, where matters do not fall within the Guidelines or where we believe that voting in accordance with the Guidelines is unwarranted, we conduct an additional review to determine whether there is a conflict of interest. Although various relationships could be deemed to give rise to a conflict of interest, SSgA FM has determined that two categories of relationships present a serious concern to warrant an alternative process: (1) clients of SSgA FM or its affiliates which are among the top 100 clients of State Street Corporation or its affiliates based upon revenue; and (2) the 10 largest broker-dealers used by SSgA, based upon revenue (a Material Relationship).
In circumstances where either: (i) the matter does not fall clearly within the Guidelines; or (ii) SSgA FM determines that voting in accordance with such policies or guidance is not in the best interests of its clients, the Head of SSgA FMs Corporate Governance Team will determine whether a Material
Relationship exists. If so, the matter is referred to the SSgA PRC. The SSgA PRC then reviews the matter and determines whether a conflict of interest exists, and if so, how to best resolve such conflict. For example, the SSgA PRC may (i) determine that the proxy vote does not give rise to a conflict due to the issues presented, (ii) refer the matter to the SSgA Investment Committee for further evaluation or (iii) retain an independent fiduciary to determine the appropriate vote.
PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
Directors and Boards
The election of directors is one of the most important fiduciary duties SSgA FM performs as a shareholder. SSgA FM believes that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, SSgA FM seeks to vote director elections in a way which we, as a fiduciary, believe will maximize the long-term value of each portfolios holdings.
Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. This concept establishes the standard by which board and director performance is measured. To achieve this fundamental principle, the role of the board, in SSgA FMs view, is to carry out its responsibilities in the best long-term interest of the company and its shareholders. An independent and effective board oversees management, provides guidance on strategic matters, selects the CEO and other senior executives, creates a succession plan for the board and management, provides risk oversight and assesses the performance of the CEO and management. In contrast, management implements the business and capital allocation strategies and runs the companys day-to-day operations. As part of SSgA FMs engagement process, SSgA FM routinely discusses the importance of these responsibilities with the boards of issuers.
SSgA FM believes the quality of a board is a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board evaluations and refreshment and company governance practices. In voting to elect nominees, SSgA FM considers many factors. SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent
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board will effectively monitor management, maintain appropriate governance practices, and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests. SSgA FM also believes the right mix of skills, independence and qualifications among directors provides boards with the knowledge and direct experience to deal with risks and operating structures that are often unique and complex from one industry to another.
Accounting and Audit Related Issues
SSgA FM believes audit committees are critical and necessary as part of the boards risk oversight role. The audit committee is responsible for setting out an internal audit function to provide robust audit and internal control systems designed to effectively manage potential and emerging risks to the companys operations and strategy. SSgA FM believes audit committees should have independent directors as members, and SSgA FM will hold the members of the audit committee responsible for overseeing the management of the audit function.
The disclosure and availability of reliable financial statements in a timely manner is imperative for the investment process. As a result, board oversight of the internal controls and the independence of the audit process are essential if investors are to rely on financial statements. Also, it is important for the audit committee to appoint external auditors who are independent from management as we expect auditors to provide assurance as of a companys financial condition.
Capital Structure, Reorganization and Mergers
The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to a shareholders ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. Altering the capital structure of a company is a critical decision for boards and in making such a critical decision, SSgA FM believes the company should have a well explained business rationale that is consistent with corporate strategy and not overly dilute its shareholders.
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation.
Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In evaluating mergers and acquisitions, SSgA FM considers the adequacy of the consideration and the impact of the corporate governance provisions to shareholders. In all cases, SSgA FM uses its discretion in order to maximize shareholder value.
Occasionally, companies add anti-takeover provisions that reduce the chances of a potential acquirer making an offer, or reducing the likelihood of a successful offer. SSgA FM does not support proposals that reduce shareholders rights, entrench management or reduce the likelihood of shareholders right to vote on reasonable offers.
Compensation
SSgA FM considers the boards responsibility to include setting the appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FMs analysis of executive compensation; SSgA FM believes that there should be a direct relationship between executive compensation and company performance over the long-term.
Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long-term and short-term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests, as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders interests. SSgA FM may also consider executive compensation practices when re-electing members of the remuneration committee.
SSgA FM recognizes that compensation policies and practices are unique from market to market; often with significant differences between the level of disclosures, the amount and forms of compensation paid, and the ability of shareholders to approve executive compensation practices. As a result, our ability to assess the appropriateness of executive compensation is often dependent on market practices and laws.
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Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors may not only have an impact on the reputation of companies but may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could be the result of anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends to shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on a company, its industry, operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of board members if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder requests to amend them.
General/Routine
Although SSgA FM does not seek involvement in the day-to-day operations of an organization, SSgA FM recognizes the need for conscientious oversight and input into management decisions that may affect a companys value. SSgA FM supports proposals that encourage economically advantageous corporate practices and governance, while leaving decisions that are deemed to be routine or constitute ordinary business to management and the board of directors.
Securities on Loan
For funds where SSgA FM acts as trustee, SSgA FM may recall securities in instances where SSgA FM believes that a particular vote will have a material impact on the fund(s). Several factors shape this process. First, SSgA FM must receive notice of the vote in sufficient time to recall the shares on or before the record date. In many cases, SSgA FM does not receive timely notice, and is unable to recall the shares on or before the record date. Second, SSgA FM, exercising its discretion may recall shares if it believes the benefit of voting shares will outweigh the foregone lending income. This determination requires SSgA FM, with the information available at the time, to form judgments about events or outcomes that are difficult to quantify. Given past experience in this area, however, we believe that the recall of securities will rarely provide an economic benefit that outweighs the cost of the foregone lending income.
Reporting
Any client who wishes to receive information on how its proxies were voted should contact its SSgA FM relationship manager.
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State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia:
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number
238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone:
+612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611.
Belgium:
State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine
Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Canada:
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900.
Dubai:
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818.
France:
State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of
Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00
Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany:
State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440.
Hong Kong:
State Street Global Advisors
Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200.
Ireland:
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central
Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353
(0)1 776 3300.
Italy:
State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Japan:
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers
Association.
Netherlands:
State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Singapore:
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168,
Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501.
Switzerland:
State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich
Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16.
United Kingdom:
State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928.
VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350.
United States:
State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgAs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
ssga.com |
© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-8 | ID1061-INST-4625 0414 Exp. Date: 4/30/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc.s (SSgA FM) US Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in the US. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
SSgA FMs US Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, director tenure, audit related issues, capital structure, executive compensation, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a companys business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
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When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a countrys regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSgA FM believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.
In its analysis and research into corporate governance issues in the US, SSgA FM expects all companies to act in a transparent manner and provide detailed disclosure on board profiles, related-party transactions, executive compensation and other governance issues that impact shareholders long-term interests.
SSgA FMS PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagements to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSgA FMs active investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagements and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the US.
SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable
investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practices, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.
Director related proposals at US companies include issues submitted to shareholders that deal with the composition of the board or with members of a corporations board of directors. In deciding which director nominee to support, SSgA FM considers numerous factors.
Director Elections
SSgA FMs director election policy focuses on companies governance profile to identify if a company demonstrates appropriate governance practices or if it exhibits negative governance practices. Factors SSgA FM considers when evaluating governance practices include, but are not limited to the following:
| Shareholder rights; |
| Board independence; and |
| Board structure. |
If a company demonstrates appropriate governance practices , SSgA FM believes a director should be classified as independent based on the relevant listing standards or local market practice standards. In such cases, the composition of the key oversight committees of a board should meet the minimum standards of independence. Accordingly, SSgA FM will vote against a nominee at a company with
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appropriate governance practices if the director is classified as non-independent under relevant listing standards or local market practice AND serves on a key committee of the board (compensation, audit, nominating or committees required to be fully independent by local market standards).
Conversely, if a company demonstrates negative governance practices , SSgA FM believes the classification standards for director independence should be elevated. In such circumstances, we will evaluate all director nominees based on the following classification standards:
| Is the nominee an employee of or related to an employee of the issuer or its auditor; |
| Does the nominee provide professional services to the issuer; |
| Has the nominee attended an appropriate number of board meetings; or |
| Has the nominee received non-board related compensation from the issuer. |
Where companies demonstrate negative governance practices , these stricter standards will apply not only to directors who are a member of a key committee but to all directors on the board as market practice permits. Accordingly, SSgA FM will vote against a nominee (with the exception of the CEO) where the board has inappropriate governance practices and is considered not independent based on the above independence criteria.
Additionally, SSgA FM may withhold votes from directors based on the following:
| When overall average board tenure is excessive and/or individual director tenure is excessive. In assessing excessive tenure, SSgA FM gives consideration to factors such as the preponderance of long tenured directors, board refreshment practices, and classified board structures; |
| When directors attend less than 75% of board meetings without appropriate explanation or providing reason for their failure to meet the attendance threshold; |
| CEOs of a public company who sit on more than three public company boards; |
| Director nominees who sit on more than six public company boards; |
| Directors of companies that have ignored a shareholder proposal which received a majority of the shares outstanding at the last annual or special meeting, unless management submits the proposal(s) on the ballot as a binding management proposal, recommending shareholders vote for the particular proposal(s); |
| Compensation committee members where there is a weak relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period; |
| Audit committee members if non-audit fees exceed 50% of total fees paid to the auditors; and |
| Directors who appear to have been remiss in their duties. |
Director Related Proposals
SSgA FM generally votes for the following director related proposals:
| Discharge of board members duties, in the absence of pending litigation, regulatory investigation, charges of fraud or other indications of significant concern; |
| Proposals to restore shareholders ability to remove directors with or without cause; |
| Proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies; and |
| Shareholder proposals seeking disclosure regarding the company, board, or compensation committees use of compensation consultants, such as company name, business relationship(s) and fees paid. |
SSgA FM generally votes against the following director related proposals:
| Requirements that candidates for directorships own large amounts of stock before being eligible to be elected; |
| Proposals that relate to the transaction of other business as properly comes before the meeting, which extend blank check powers to those acting as proxy; and |
| Proposals requiring two candidates per board seat. |
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Majority Voting
SSgA FM will generally support a majority vote standard based on votes cast for the election of directors.
SSgA FM will generally vote to support amendments to bylaws that would require simple majority of voting shares (i.e. shares cast) to pass or repeal certain provisions.
Annual Elections
SSgA FM generally supports the establishment of annual elections of the board of directors. Consideration is given to the overall level of board independence and the independence of the key committees as well as whether there is a shareholders rights plan.
Cumulative Voting
SSgA FM does not support cumulative voting structures for the election of directors.
Separation Chair/CEO
SSgA FM analyzes proposals for the separation of Chair/CEO on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration numerous factors, including but not limited to, a companys performance and the overall governance structure of the company.
Proxy Access
SSgA FM will consider proposals relating to Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis.
SSgA FM will evaluate the companys specific circumstances, the impact of the proposal on the target company and its potential effect on shareholder value.
Considerations include but are not limited to the following:
| The ownership thresholds and holding duration proposed in the resolution; |
| The binding nature of the proposal; |
| The number of directors that shareholders may be able to nominate each year; |
| Company performance; |
| Company governance structure; |
| Shareholder rights; and |
| Board performance. |
Age/Term Limits
Generally, SSgA FM will vote against age and term limits.
Approve Remuneration of Directors
Generally, SSgA FM will support directors compensation, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other issuers in the market or industry. In making our determination, we review whether the compensation is overly dilutive to existing shareholders.
Indemnification
Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Classified Boards
SSgA FM generally supports annual elections for the board of directors. In certain cases, SSgA FM will support a classified board structure; if the board is composed of 80 percent independent directors, the boards key committees (auditing, nominating and compensation) are composed of independent directors, and consideration of other governance factors, including, but not limited to, shareholder rights and antitakeover devices.
Confidential Voting
SSgA FM will support confidential voting.
Board Size
SSgA FM will support proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size and will vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.
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AUDIT RELATED ISSUES
Ratifying Auditors and Approving Auditor Compensation
SSgA FM supports the approval of auditors and auditor compensation provided that the issuer has properly disclosed audit and non-audit fees relative to market practice and the audit fees are not deemed excessive. SSgA FM deems audit fees to be excessive if the non-audit fees for the prior year constituted 50% or more of the total fees paid to the auditor. SSgA FM will support the disclosure of auditor and consulting relationships when the same or related entities are conducting both activities and will support the establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function.
In circumstances where other fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard non-audit fee category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.
SSgA FM will support the discharge of auditors and requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. 1
CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES
Capital structure proposals include requests by management for approval of amendments to the certificate of incorporation that will alter the capital structure of the company. The most common request is for an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, usually in conjunction with a stock split or dividend. Typically, requests that are not unreasonably dilutive or enhance the rights of common shareholders are supported. In considering authorized share proposals, the typical threshold for approval is 100% over current authorized shares. However, the threshold may be increased if the company offers a specific need or purpose (merger, stock splits, growth purposes, etc.). All proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into account the companys specific financial situation.
Increase in Authorized Common Shares
In general, SSgA FM supports share increases for general corporate purposes up to 100% of current authorized stock.
SSgA FM supports increases for specific corporate purposes up to 100% of the specific need plus 50% of current authorized common stock for US firms.
When applying the thresholds, SSgA FM will also consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.
Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares
SSgA FM votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of preferred shares.
Generally, SSgA FM will vote for the authorization of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
SSgA FM will support proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). However, SSgA FM will vote against proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSgA FM will not support proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will vote against new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add blank check classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSgA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation.
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Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock, especially in some non-US markets; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
ANTITAKEOVER ISSUES
Typically, these are proposals relating to requests by management to amend the certificate of incorporation or bylaws to add or delete a provision that is deemed to have an antitakeover effect. The majority of these proposals deal with managements attempt to add some provision that makes a hostile takeover more difficult or will protect incumbent management in the event of a change in control of the company.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
SSgA FM will support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (poison pill) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.
In general, SSgA FM will vote against the adoption or renewal of a US issuers shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
SSgA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).
Special Meetings
SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that do not provide shareholders the right to call for a special meeting in their bylaws if:
| The company also does not allow shareholders to act by written consent; or |
| The company allows shareholders to act by written consent but the ownership threshold for acting by written consent is set above 25% of outstanding shares. |
SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that give shareholders (with a minimum 10% ownership threshold) the right to call for a special meeting in their bylaws if:
| The current ownership threshold to call for a special meeting is above 25% of outstanding shares. |
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SSgA FM will vote for management proposals related to special meetings.
Written Consent
SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals on written consent at companies if:
| The company does not have provisions in their bylaws giving shareholders the right to call for a special meeting; or |
| The company allows shareholders the right to call for a special meeting but the current ownership threshold to call for a special meeting is above 25% of outstanding shares; and |
| The company has a poor governance profile. |
SSgA FM will vote management proposals on written consent on a case-by-case basis.
SuperMajority
SSgA FM will generally vote against amendments to bylaws requiring super-majority shareholder votes to pass or repeal certain provisions. SSgA FM will vote for the reduction or elimination of super-majority vote requirements, unless management of the issuer was concurrently seeking to or had previously made such a reduction or elimination.
REMUNERATION ISSUES
Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides the analysis of all compensation plans; namely, are the terms of the plan designed to provide an incentive for executives and/or employees to align their interests with those of the shareholders and thus work toward enhancing shareholder value. Plans which benefit participants only when the shareholders also benefit are those most likely to be supported.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency
SSgA FM believes executive compensation plays a critical role in aligning executives interest with shareholders, attracting, retaining and incentivizing key talent, and ensuring positive correlation between the performance achieved by management
and the benefits derived by shareholders. SSgA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period. SSgA FM seeks adequate disclosure of different compensation elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. Further, shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance on an annual basis.
Employee Equity Award Plans
SSgA FM considers numerous criteria when examining equity award proposals. Generally, SSgA FM does not vote against plans for lack of performance or vesting criteria. Rather, the main criteria that will result in a vote against an equity award plan are:
Excessive voting power dilution To assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares and the issued but unexercised shares by the fully diluted share count. SSgA FM reviews that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer.
Historical option grants Excessive historical option grants over the past three years. Plans that provide for historical grant patterns of greater than eight to twelve percent are generally not supported.
Repricing SSgA FM will vote against any plan where repricing is expressly permitted. If a company has a history of repricing underwater options, the plan will not be supported.
Other criteria include the following:
| Number of participants or eligible employees; |
| The variety of awards possible; and |
| The period of time covered by the plan. |
There are numerous factors that we view as negative, and together, may result in a vote against a proposal:
| Grants to individuals or very small groups of participants; |
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| Gun-jumping grants which anticipate shareholder approval of a plan or amendment; |
| The power of the board to exchange underwater options without shareholder approval; this pertains to the ability of a company to reprice options, not the actual act of repricing described above; |
| Below market rate loans to officers to exercise their options; |
| The ability to grant options at less than fair market value; |
| Acceleration of vesting automatically upon a change in control; and |
| Excessive compensation (i.e. compensation plans which are deemed by SSgA FM to be overly dilutive). |
Share Repurchases If a company makes a clear connection between a share repurchase program and its intent to offset dilution created from option plans and the company fully discloses the amount of shares being repurchased, the voting dilution calculation may be adjusted to account for the impact of the buy back.
Companies who do not (i) clearly state the intentions of any proposed share buy-back plan or (ii) disclose a definitive number of the shares to be bought back and, (iii) disclose the time frame during which the shares will be bought back, will not have any such repurchase plan factored into the dilution calculation.
162(m) Plan Amendments If a plan would not normally meet the SSgA FM criteria described above, but is primarily being amended to add specific performance criteria to be used with awards designed to qualify for performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, then SSgA FM will support the proposal to amend the plan.
Employee Stock Option Plans
SSgA FM generally votes for stock purchase plans with an exercise price of not less than 85% of fair market value. However, SSgA FM takes market practice into consideration.
Compensation Related Items
SSgA FM will generally support the following proposals:
| Expansions to reporting of financial or compensation-related information, within reason; and |
| Proposals requiring the disclosure of executive retirement benefits if the issuer does not have an independent compensation committee. |
SSgA FM will generally vote against the following proposals:
| Retirement bonuses for non-executive directors and auditors. |
MISCELLANEOUS/ROUTINE ITEMS
SSgA FM generally supports the following miscellaneous/routine governance items:
| Reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election when voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate; |
| Opting out of business combination provision; |
| Proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management; |
| Liquidation of the company if the company will file for bankruptcy if the proposal is not approved; |
| Shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote; |
| General updating of or corrective amendments to charter and bylaws not otherwise specifically addressed herein, unless such amendments would reasonably be expected to diminish shareholder rights (e.g. extension of directors term limits, amending shareholder vote requirement to amend the charter documents, insufficient information provided as to the reason behind the amendment); |
| Change in corporation name; |
| Mandates that amendments to bylaws or charters have shareholder approval; |
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| Management proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable; |
| Repeals, prohibitions or adoption of anti-greenmail provisions; |
| Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced and proposals to implement a reverse stock split to avoid delisting; and |
| Exclusive forum provisions. |
SSgA FM generally does not support the following miscellaneous/ routine governance items:
| Proposals asking companies to adopt full tenure holding periods for their executives; |
| Reincorporation to a location that we believe has more negative attributes than its current location of incorporation; |
| Shareholder proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable; |
| Proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item; |
| Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws; and |
| Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
As a fiduciary, we consider the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business.
Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems,
which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer-by-issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.
1 | Common for non-US issuers; request from the issuer to discharge from liability the directors or auditors with respect to actions taken by them during the previous year. |
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State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia:
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number
238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone:
+612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611.
Belgium:
State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine
Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Canada:
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900.
Dubai:
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818.
France:
State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of
Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00
Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany:
State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440.
Hong Kong:
State Street Global Advisors
Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200.
Ireland:
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central
Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353
(0)1 776 3300.
Italy:
State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Japan:
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers
Association.
Netherlands:
State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Singapore:
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168,
Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501.
Switzerland:
State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich
Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16.
United Kingdom:
State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928.
VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350.
United States:
State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgAs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
ssga.com |
© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-18 | ID01060-INST-4624 0414 Exp. Date: 4/30/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc., (SSgA FM) European Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines cover different corporate governance frameworks and practices in European markets excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
SSgA FMs Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines in European markets address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management and monitoring the risks that arise from a companys business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
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When voting and engaging with companies in European markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a countrys regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSgA FM believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.
In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in European companies, SSgA FM also considers guidance issued by the European Commission. Companies should provide detailed explanations under diverse comply or explain approaches, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders long-term interests.
SSgA FMS PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSgA FMs active fundamental and EMEA investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in European markets.
SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/reelection of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices.
A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.
SSgA FMs broad criteria for director independence in European companies include factors such as:
| Participation in relatedparty transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Employment history with company; |
| Relations with controlling shareholders; |
| Family ties with any of the companys advisers, directors or senior employees; |
| Employee and government representatives; and |
| Overall average board tenure and individual director tenure at issuers with classified and de-classified boards, respectively. |
While, overall board independence requirements and board structures differ from market to market, SSgA FM considers voting against directors it deems nonindependent if overall board independence is below one third. SSgA FM also assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a casebycase basis, giving consideration to factors such
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as overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. SSgA FM may also not support a proposal to discharge the board, if a company fails to meet adequate governance standards or board level independence.
When considering the election or re-election of a non-executive director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive can undertake and attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against the election of a director whose biographical disclosures are insufficient to assess his or her role on the board and/or independence.
Although we generally are in favour of the annual election of directors, we recognise that director terms vary considerably in different European markets. SSgA FM may vote against article/ bylaw changes that seek to extend director terms. In addition, in certain markets, SSgA FM may vote against directors if their director terms extend beyond four years.
SSgA FM believes companies should have relevant board level committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Similarly, executive pay is an important aspect of corporate governance, and it should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. SSgA FM may vote against nominees who are executive members of audit or remuneration committees.
In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process in place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint.
In certain European markets it is not uncommon for the election of directors to be presented in a single slate. In these cases, where executives serve on the audit or the remuneration committees, SSgA FM may vote against the entire slate.
SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities)
Indemnification and limitations on liability
Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
AUDIT RELATED ISSUES
Companies should have robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.
Appointment of External Auditors
SSgA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
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SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES
In some European markets, differential voting rights continue to exist. SSgA FM supports the one share one vote policy and favours a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSgA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSgA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders. SSgA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps and capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Increase in Authorized Capital
The ability raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholders ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a companys existing capital base.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seek to issue new shares whilst disapplying preemption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.
Share Repurchase Programs
SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.
Dividends
SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the companys financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the companys long-term financial health.
Related Party Transactions
Certain companies in European markets have a controlled ownership structure and have complex cross-shareholdings between subsidiaries and parent companies (related companies). Such structures may result in the prevalence of related-party transactions between the company and its various stakeholders such as directors and management, subsidiaries and shareholders. In markets where shareholders are required to approve such transactions, SSgA FM expects companies to provide details of the transaction, such as the nature, value and purpose of such a transaction. It also encourages independent directors to ratify such transactions. Further, SSgA FM encourages companies to describe the level of independent board oversight and the approval process, including details of any independent valuations provided by financial advisors on related-party transactions.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
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SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
AntiTakeover Measures
European markets have diverse regulations concerning the use of share issuances as takeover defenses with legal restrictions lacking in some markets. SSgA FM supports a one-share, one-vote policy, for example, given that dual-class capital structures entrench certain shareholders and management, insulating them from possible takeovers. SSgA FM opposes unlimited share issuance authorizations as they may be used as antitakeover devices, and they have the potential for substantial voting and earnings dilution. SSgA FM also monitors the duration of authorities to issue shares and whether there are restrictions and caps on multiple issuance authorities during the specified time periods. SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
REMUNERATION
Executive Pay
Despite the differences among the types of plans and awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term.
Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long-term and short-term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders interests. SSgA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.
Equity Incentives Plans
SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
NonExecutive Director Pay
In European markets, authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSgA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
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RISK MANAGEMENT
SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
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State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia:
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number
238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone:
+612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611.
Belgium:
State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine
Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Canada:
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900.
Dubai:
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818.
France:
State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of
Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00
Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany:
State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone:
+49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440.
Hong Kong:
State Street Global
Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200.
Ireland:
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the
Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile:
+353 (0)1 776 3300.
Italy:
State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a
branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Japan:
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities
Dealers Association.
Netherlands:
State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a
branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Singapore:
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168,
Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501.
Switzerland:
State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich
Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16.
United Kingdom:
State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928.
VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350.
United States:
State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgAs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
ssga.com |
© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-25 | ID1058-INST-4622 0414 Exp. Date: 3/31/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc., (SSgA FM) UK Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
SSgA FMs UK Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a companys business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
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When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a countrys regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSgA FM believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.
In its analysis and research into corporate governance issues in the UK and Ireland, SSgA FM expects all companies, regardless of domicile, that obtain a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange or the Irish Stock Exchange to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code. Companies should provide detailed explanations under the Codes comply or explain approach, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders long-term interests.
SSgA FMS PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSgA FMs active fundamental and EMEA investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor
associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the UK and European markets.
SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices.
A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.
SSgA FMs broad criteria for director independence in UK companies include factors such as:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Employment history with company; |
| Excessive tenure and a preponderance of long-tenured directors: |
| Relations with controlling shareholders; and |
| Family ties with any of the companys advisers, directors or senior employees. |
When considering the election or re-election of a director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive and an executive may undertake as well as attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM monitors other factors that may influence the independence
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of a non-executive director, such as performance related pay, cross-directorships, significant shareholdings and tenure. SSgA FM supports the annual election of directors.
While SSgA FM is generally supportive of having the roles of chairman and CEO separated in the UK market, SSgA FM assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to factors such as the companys specific circumstances, overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. Similarly, SSgA FM will monitor for circumstances where a combined chairman/CEO is appointed or where a former CEO becomes chairman.
SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities when considering their suitability for reappointment. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities).
SSgA FM believes companies should have committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Similarly, executive pay is an important aspect of corporate governance, and it should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. SSgA FM will vote against nominees who are executive members of audit or remuneration committees.
In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process in place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint. The nomination committee is responsible for evaluating and keeping under review the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the board and ensuring that adequate succession plans are
in place for directors and the CEO. SSgA FM may vote against the re-election of members of the nomination committee if, over time, the board has failed to address concerns over board structure or succession.
Indemnification and limitations on liability
Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
AUDIT RELATED ISSUES
Companies should have robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.
Appointment of External Auditors
SSgA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if an adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
C-28
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES
Share Issuances
The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholders ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a companys existing capital base.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares whilst dis-applying pre-emption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.
Share Repurchase Programs
SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.
Dividends
SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the companys financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the companys long term financial health.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders,
demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize share-holder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
Anti-Takeover Measures
SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses such as authorities for the board when subject to a hostile takeover to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
REMUNERATION
Executive Pay
Despite the differences among the types of plans and awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term.
C-29
Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration policies and reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long-term and short-term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders interests. SSgA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
Equity Incentives Plans
SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
Non-Executive Director Pay
Authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSgA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company- by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
RISK MANAGEMENT
SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review
existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
C-30
State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia:
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number
238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone:
+612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611.
Belgium:
State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine
Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Canada:
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900.
Dubai:
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818.
France:
State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of
Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00
Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany:
State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440.
Hong Kong:
State Street Global Advisors
Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200.
Ireland:
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central
Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353
(0)1 776 3300.
Italy:
State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Japan:
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers
Association.
Netherlands:
State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Singapore:
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168,
Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501.
Switzerland:
State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich
Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16.
United Kingdom:
State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928.
VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350.
United States:
State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgAs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Globoal Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
ssga.com |
© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-31 | ID1059-INST-4623 0414 Exp. Date: 4/30/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc., (SSgA FM) Emerging Market Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines cover different corporate governance frameworks and practices in emerging markets. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provides a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
At SSgA FM, we recognize that countries in emerging markets are disparate in their corporate governance frameworks and practices. Concurrent with developing a company specific voting and engagement program, SSgA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country. These factors include: (i) the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system in a country: (ii) quality of regulatory oversight, enforcement of property and shareholder rights; and (iii) the independence of judiciaryto name a few. While emerging market countries tend to pose broad common governance issues across all markets, such as concentrated ownership, poor disclosure of financial and related-party transactions, and weak enforcement of rules and regulation, SSgA FMs emerging market proxy voting policy is designed to identify and address specific governance concerns in each market.
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SSgA FMS PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY IN EMERGING MARKETS
SSgA FMs approach to proxy voting and issuer engagement in emerging markets is designed to increase the value of our investments through the mitigation of governance risks. Since the overall quality of the corporate governance framework in an emerging market country drives the level of governance risks investors assign to a country, improving the macro governance framework in a country may help reduce governance risks, in turn, increasing the overall value of SSgA FMs holdings over time. Therefore, in order to improve the overall governance framework and practices in a country, members of our proxy voting and engagement team endeavor to visit emerging market countries and meet with representatives from regulatory agencies and stock markets to highlight potential concerns with the macro governance framework of a country. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in emerging markets. To help mitigate company specific risk, the team works alongside members of the active fundamental and emerging market teams to engage with emerging market companies on governance issues and address any specific concerns or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. This integrated approach to engagement drives SSgA FMs proxy voting and engagement philosophy in emerging markets.
SSgA FMs proxy voting guidelines in emerging markets addresses six broad areas:
| Directors and Boards; |
| Accounting and Audit Related Issues; |
| Shareholder Rights and Capital Related Issues; |
| Remuneration; |
| Environmental and Social Issues; and |
| General/Routine Issues. |
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides
the foundations for a well governed company. However, several factors such as low overall independence level requirements by market regulators, poor biographical disclosure of director profiles, prevalence of related-party transactions and the general resistance from controlling shareholders to increase board independence renders the election of directors as one of the most important fiduciary duties SSgA FM performs in emerging market companies.
SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise.
SSgA FMs broad criteria for director independence in emerging market companies include factors such as:
| Participation in related-party transactions; |
| Employment history with company; |
| Relations with controlling shareholders and other employees; and |
| Attendance levels. |
AUDIT RELATED ISSUES
The disclosure and availability of reliable financial statements in a timely manner is imperative for the investment process. As a result, board oversight of internal controls and the independence of the audit process are essential if investors are to rely on financial statements. SSgA FM believes that audit committees provide the necessary oversight on the selection and appointment of auditors, a companys internal controls and accounting policies, and the overall audit process. In emerging markets, SSgA FM encourages boards to appoint an audit committee composed of a majority of independent auditors.
Appointment of External Auditors
SSgA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. SSgA FM believes that it is imperative for audit committees to select outside auditors who are independent from management.
C-33
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES
SSgA FM believes that changes to a companys capital structure such as changes in authorized share capital, share repurchase and debt issuances are critical decisions made by the board. SSgA FM believes the company should have a well explained business rationale that is consistent with corporate strategy and should not overly dilute its shareholders.
Related Party Transcations
Most companies in emerging markets have a controlled ownership structure that often include complex cross- shareholding between subsidiaries and parent companies (related companies). As a result, there is a high prevalence of related-party transactions between the company and its various stakeholders such as directors and management. In addition, inter-group loan and loan guarantees provided to related companies are some of the other related-party transactions that increase the risk profile of companies.
In markets where shareholders are required to approve such transactions, SSgA FM expects companies to provide details of the transaction, such as the nature, value and purpose of such a transaction. It also encourages independent directors to ratify such transactions.Further, SSgA FM encourages companies to describe the level of independent board oversight and the approval process, including details of any independent valuations provided by financial advisors on related-party transactions.
Share Repurchase Programs
With regard to share repurchase programs, SSgA FM expects companies to clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSgA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
REMUNERATION
SSgA FM considers it to be the boards responsibility to set appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FMs analysis of executive compensation; there should be a direct relationship between executive compensation and company performance over the long term. In emerging markets we encourage companies to disclose information on senior executive remuneration.
With regard to director remuneration, SSgA FM supports director pay provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other issuers in the market or industry and are not overly dilutive to existing shareholders.
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors can not only have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support
efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.
In emerging markets, shareholders seldom vote on environmental and social issues. Therefore, SSgA FM addresses a companys approach to identifying and managing environmental and social risks stemming for various aspects of its operations in its one-on-one engagement with companies.
GENERAL /ROUTINE ISSUES
Some of the other issues that are routinely voted on in emerging markets include approving the allocation of income and accepting financial statements and statutory reports. For these voting items, SSgA FMs policies consider several factors including historical dividend payouts, pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges of fraud or other indication of significant concerns.
C-35
State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia:
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number
238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone:
+612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611.
Belgium:
State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine
Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Canada:
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500,
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900.
Dubai:
State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United
Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818.
France:
State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of
Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00
Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany:
State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440.
Hong Kong:
State Street Global Advisors
Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200.
Ireland:
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central
Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353
(0)1 776 3300.
Italy:
State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Japan:
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers
Association.
Netherlands:
State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch
office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
Singapore:
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168,
Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501.
Switzerland:
State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich
Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16.
United Kingdom:
State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928.
VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350.
United States:
State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA
02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without State Street Global Advisors express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
ssga.com |
© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-36 | ID1056-INST-4621 0414 Exp. Date: 4/30/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc.s, (SSgA FM) Japan Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines complement and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles, which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
SSgA FMs Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines in Japan address areas including; board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a companys business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
C-37
When voting and engaging with companies in Japan, SSgA FM takes into consideration the unique aspects of Japanese corporate governance structures. We recognize that under Japanese corporate law, companies may choose between two structures of corporate governance: the statutory auditor system or the committee structure. Most Japanese boards predominantly consist of executives and non-independent outsiders affiliated through commercial relationships or cross-shareholdings. Nonetheless, when evaluating companies, SSgA FM expects Japanese companies to address conflicts of interest, risk management and demonstrate an effective process for monitoring management. In its analysis and research into corporate governance issues in Japanese companies, SSgA FM also considers guidance issued by the Corporate Law Subcommittee of the Legislative Council within the Ministry of Justice as well as private study groups.
SSgA FMs PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, and environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSgA FMs active investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in Japan.
SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles
into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice.
Japanese companies have the option of having a traditional board of directors with statutory auditors, or a board with a committee structure. Most Japanese issuers prefer the traditional statutory auditor structure. Statutory auditors act in a quasi-compliance role as they are not involved in strategic decision-making nor are they part of the formal management decision process. Statutory auditors attend board meetings but do not have voting rights at the board; however, they have the right to seek an injunction and conduct broad investigations of unlawful behavior in the companys operations.
SSgA FM will support the election of statutory auditors, unless the outside statutory auditor nominee is regarded as non-independent based on SSgA FM criteria, the outside statutory auditor has attended less than 75 percent of meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors during the year under review, or the statutory auditor has been remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities (fraud, criminal wrong doing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities).
For companies with a statutory auditor structure there is no legal requirement that boards have outside directors, however, SSgA FM believes there should be a transparent process of independent and external monitoring of management on behalf of shareholders.
| SSgA FM believes that non-controlled Japanese companies should appoint at least one outside director, otherwise, SSgA FM will oppose the top executive who is responsible for the director nomination process; and |
| For controlled companies with a statutory auditor structure, SSgA FM will oppose the top executive, if the board does not have at least two outside directors. |
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For companies with a committee structure, SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering general market practice, as well as the independence of the nominee. SSgA FM also takes into consideration the overall independence level of the committees. In determining director independence, SSgA FM considers the following factors:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Past employment with the company; |
| Provides professional services to the company; and |
| Family ties with the company. |
Regardless of board structure, SSgA FM may oppose the election of a director for the following reasons:
| Failure to attend board meetings; or |
| In instances of egregious actions related to a directors service on the board. |
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors and statutory auditors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. SSgA FM believes limitations and indemnification are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors.
AUDIT RELATED ITEMS
SSgA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on their appointment at the annual meeting.
Ratifying External Auditors
SSgA FM will generally support the appointment of external auditors unless the external auditor is perceived as being non-independent and there are concerns about the accounts presented and the audit procedures followed.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE, REORGANIZATION AND MERGERS
SSgA FM supports the one share one vote policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSgA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps or multiple voting rights and will oppose measures to introduce these types of restrictions on shareholder rights.
SSgA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSgA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSgA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Increase in Authorized Capital
SSgA FM generally supports increases in authorized capital where the company provides an adequate explanation for the use of shares. In the absence of an adequate explanation, SSgA FM may oppose the request if the increase in authorized capital exceeds 100 percent of the currently authorized capital or if it leaves the company with less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding. Where share issuance requests exceed our standard threshold, SSgA FM will consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits
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Dividends
SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the companys financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the companys long term financial health.
Share Repurchase Programs
Companies are allowed under Japan Corporate Law to amend their articles to authorize the repurchase of shares at the boards discretion. SSgA FM will oppose an amendment to articles allowing the repurchase of shares at the boards discretion. SSgA FM believes the company should seek shareholder approval for a share repurchase program at each years AGM, providing shareholders the right to evaluate the purpose of the repurchase.
SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share repurchase requests that allow share repurchases during a takeover period.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSgA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
Anti-Takeover Measures
In general, SSgA FM believes that adoption of poison pills that have been structured to protect management and to prevent takeover bids from succeeding is not in shareholders interest. A shareholder rights plan may lead to management entrenchment and discourage legitimate tender offers and acquisitions. Even if the premium paid to companies with a shareholder rights plan is higher than that offered to unprotected firms, a companys chances of receiving a takeover offer in the first place may be reduced by the presence of a shareholder rights plan.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
In evaluating poison pills, the following conditions must be met before SSgA FM will recommend a vote in favor.
SSgA FM will support the adoption or renewal of a Japanese issuers shareholder rights plans (poison pill) if the following
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conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced.
SSgA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, or (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).
COMPENSATION
In Japan, excessive compensation is rarely an issue. Rather, the problem is the lack of connection between pay and performance. Fixed salaries and cash retirement bonuses tend to comprise a significant portion of the compensation structure while performance-based pay is generally a small portion of the total pay. SSgA FM, where possible, seeks to encourage the use of performance based compensation in Japan as an incentive for executives and as a way to align interests with shareholders.
Approve Adjustment to Aggregate Compensation Ceiling for Directors
Remuneration for directors is generally reasonable. Typically, each company sets the director compensation parameters as an aggregate thereby limiting the total pay to all directors. When requesting a change, a company must disclose the last time the ceiling was adjusted and management provides the rationale for the ceiling increase. SSgA FM will generally support proposed increases to the ceiling if the company discloses the rationale for the increase. SSgA FM may oppose proposals to increase
the ceiling if there has been corporate malfeasance or sustained poor performance.
Approve Annual Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
In Japan, since there are no legal requirements that mandate companies to seek shareholder approval before awarding a bonus, SSgA FM believes that existing shareholder approval of the bonus should be considered best practice. As a result, SSgA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period.
Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
Retirement bonuses make up a sizeable portion of directors and auditors lifetime compensation and are based on board tenure. While many companies in Japan have abolished this practice, there remain many proposals seeking shareholder approval for the total amounts paid to directors and statutory auditors as a whole. In general, SSgA FM supports these payments unless the recipient is an outsider or in instances where the amount is not disclosed.
Approve Stock Plan
Most option plans in Japan are conservative, particularly at large companies. Japan corporate law requires companies to disclose the monetary value of the stock options for directors and/or statutory auditors. Some companies do not disclose the maximum number of options that can be issued per year and shareholders are unable to evaluate the dilution impact. In this case, SSgA FM cannot calculate the dilution level and, therefore, SSgA FM may oppose such plans for poor disclosure. SSgA FM also opposes plans that allow for the repricing of the exercise price.
Deep Discount Options
As Japanese companies move away from the retirement bonus system, deep discount options plans have become more popular. Typically, the exercise price is set at JPY 1 per share. SSgA FM evaluates deep discount options using the same criteria used to evaluate stock options as well as considering the vesting period.
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors can not only have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability
fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.
MISCELLANEOUS/ROUTINE ITEMS
Expansion of Business Activities
Japanese companies articles of incorporation strictly define the types of businesses in which a company is permitted to engage. In general, SSgA FM views proposals to expand and diversify the companys business activities as routine and non-contentious. SSgA FM will monitor instances where there has been an inappropriate acquisition and diversification away from the companys main area of competence, which resulted in a decrease of shareholder value.
MORE INFORMATION
Any client who wishes to receive information on how its proxies were voted should contact its SSgA FM relationship manager.
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State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Japan: State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers Association. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928. VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgAs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
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© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. | C-43 | ID1057-INST-4649 0414 Exp. Date: 4/30/2015 |
State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc., (SSgA FM) Australia Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in Australia. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FMs approach to voting and engaging with companies.
SSgA FMs Australia Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a companys business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.
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When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a countrys regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSgA FM believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.
In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in Australia, SSgA FM expects all companies at a minimum to comply with the ASX Corporate Governance Principles. Companies should provide detailed explanations under the Principles comply or explain approach, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders long-term interests. On some governance matters, such as composition of audit committees, we hold Australian companies to our global standards requiring all directors on the committee to be independent of management.
SSgA FMs PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.
The team works alongside members of SSgA FMs active fundamental and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on
company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the region.
SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS
SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound ESG policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.
SSgA FMs broad criteria for director independence in Australian companies include factors such as:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Employment history with company; |
| Relations with controlling shareholders; and |
| Family ties with any of the companys advisers, directors or senior employees. |
When considering the election or re-election of a director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive and an executive may undertake as well as attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM monitors other factors that may influence the independence of a non-executive director, such as performance related pay, cross-directorships, significant shareholdings and tenure.
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SSgA FM supports the annual election of directors and encourages Australian companies to adopt this practice.
While SSgA FM is generally supportive of having the roles of chairman and CEO separated in the Australia market, SSgA FM assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to factors such as the companys specific circumstances, overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. Similarly, SSgA FM will monitor for circumstances where a combined chairman/CEO is appointed or where a former CEO becomes chairman.
SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities when considering their suitability for reappointment. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities)
SSgA FM believes companies should have committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Australian Corporate Governance Principles requires ASX listed companies to have an audit committee of at least three members all of whom are non-executive directors and a majority of whom are independent directors. It also requires that the committee be chaired by an independent director who is not the chair of the board. SSgA FM holds Australian companies to its global standards for developed financial markets, by requiring that all members of the audit committee be independent directors.
In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process in place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint. The nomination committee is responsible for evaluating and keeping under review the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the board and ensuring that adequate succession plans are in
place for directors and the CEO. SSgA FM may vote against the re-election of members of the nomination committee if, over time, the board has failed to address concerns over board structure or succession.
Executive pay is another important aspect of corporate governance. SSgA FM believes that executive pay should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. Australian Corporate Governance Principles requires ASX listed companies to have a remuneration committee of at least three members all of whom are non-executive directors and a majority of whom are independent directors. Since Australia has a binding vote on pay with a two-strike rule requiring a board spill in the event of a second strike, SSgA FM believes that the vote provides investors a mechanism to address concerns it may have on the quality of oversight provided by the board on remuneration issues. Accordingly SSgA FM voting guidelines accommodate local market practice.
Indemnification and limitations on liability
Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
AUDIT RELATED ISSUES
Companies should have robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.
Appointment of External Auditors
SSgA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving
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audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES
Share Issuances
The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholders ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a companys existing capital base.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares whilst dis-applying pre-emption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.
Share Repurchase Programs
SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.
Dividends
SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the companys financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the companys long-term financial health.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price |
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Anti-Takeover Measures
SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses, such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
REMUNERATION
Executive Pay
There is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term. Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between pay and shareholders interests and where incentive policies and schemes have a re-test option or feature. SSgA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.
Equity Incentives Plans
SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
Non-Executive Director Pay
Authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSgA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the
same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
RISK MANAGEMENT
SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
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In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding
that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 Telephone: +647-775-5900. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 2103-0288 Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 Facsimile: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Japan: State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers Association. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) Telephone: +65 6826-7500 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928. VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ Telephone: +020 3395 6000 Facsimile: +020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900 Telephone: (617) 664-4738.
Web: ssga.com
The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (CTA) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.
This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgA FMs express written consent.
The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investors particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the worlds leading providers of financial services to institutional investors. |
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ssga.com |
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© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. |
C-49 | ID1055-INST-4620 0414 Exp. Date: 3/31/2015 |
PART C. Other Information
Item 28. Exhibits
(a)(1) | Declaration of Trust dated February 16, 2000 is incorporated herein by reference to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 16, 2000. | |
(2) | Amendment No. 1 dated February 14, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(3) | Amendment No. 2 dated May 13, 2004 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(4) | Amendment No. 3 dated May 19, 2005 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(5) | Amendment No. 4 dated January 26, 2007 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2007. | |
(6) | Amendment No. 5 dated October 2, 2007 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 2, 2007. | |
(7) | Amendment No. 6 dated September 18, 2008 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(8) | Amendment No. 7 dated October 19, 2011 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011. | |
(9) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on From N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(b)(1) | Third Amended and Restated By-laws of the Trust dated May 13, 2004 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(2) | Amended and Restated ByLaws of State Street Institutional Investment Trust dated April 14, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. |
(c) | Not applicable. | |
(d)(1) | Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2001 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002. | |
(2) | Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Investment Advisory Contract dated May 1, 2001 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(3) | Notice dated February 7, 2007 to Investment Advisory Contract between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust dated May 1, 2001 with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(4) | Notice dated October 2, 2007 to Investment Advisory Contract between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust dated May 1, 2001 with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(5) | Fee Waiver letter dated April 12, 2010 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Short-Term Tax Exempt Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2010. | |
(6) | Fee Waiver letter dated July 2, 2009 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(7) | Fee Waiver letter dated April 28, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(8) | Fee Waiver letter dated February 1, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(9) | Amendment dated February 18, 2011 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2001, between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. |
(10) | Form of Amendment to the Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(11) | Reimbursement Agreement dated September 20, 2012 by and among State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and SSgA Funds Managements, Inc. will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(12) | Form of Notice to Investment Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 9, 2014. | |
(13) | Amendment to the Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(14) | Amendment to the Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(15) | Amendment to the Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(16) | Form of Fee Waiver letter between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. |
(e)(1) | Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(2) | Amended Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011. | |
(3) | Form of Amended Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(4) | Amended Distribution Agreement dated April 14, 2014 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust to be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(5) |
Form of Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is filed herewith. |
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(6) | Amended Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(7) | Amended Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(8) | Amended Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(f) | Not applicable. | |
(g)(1) | Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002. | |
(2) | Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 with respect to the State Street Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. |
(3) | Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(4) | Notice dated July 22, 2008 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(5) | Form of Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(6) |
Form of Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is filed herewith. |
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(7) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(8) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(9) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(h)(1)(a) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002. |
(1)(b) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(1)(c) | Anti-Money Laundering Services Amendment dated October 31, 2006 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(1)(d) | Services Amendment dated April 5, 2004 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(1)(e) | Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(1)(f) | Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(1)(g) | Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Class M Shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 27, 2012. | |
(1)(h) | Form of Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(1)(i) |
Form of Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Income Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is filed herewith. |
(1)(j) | Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(1)(k) | Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(1)(l) | Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(2) | Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002. | |
(2)(a) | Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(2)(b) | Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(2)(c) | Notice dated September 10, 2007 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(2)(d) | Administration Agreement dated February 1, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(2)(e) | Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated October 19, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011. | |
(2)(f) | Sub-Administration Agreement dated February 1, 2011 by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. |
(2)(g) | Form of Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(2)(h) | Form of Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 9, 2014. | |
(2)(i) | Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(2)(j) | Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(2)(k) | Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(2)(l) | Form of Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is filed herewith. | |
(2)(m) | Form of Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement dated February 1, 201 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is filed herewith. | |
(3) | Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006. | |
(4) | Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006. | |
(5) | Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006. |
(6) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(7) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(8) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(9) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(10) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and Henderson Global Funds dated April 20, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(11) | Information Security Program Agreement dated November 19, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(i)(1) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission in September 2000. | |
(2) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 13, 2002. | |
(3) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Class R Shares of the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 3, 2005. | |
(4) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2007. |
(5) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(6) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(7) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(8) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 24, 2014. | |
(9) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(10) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(11) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class G shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is filed herewith. | |
(j) | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP is filed herewith. | |
(k) | Not applicable. | |
(l) | Not applicable. | |
(m)(1) | Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. |
(2) | Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated February 18, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(3) | Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated April 14, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(4) | Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated June 19, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 24, 2014. | |
(5) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Service Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(6) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investment Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(7) | Form of Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(8) | Form of Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 9, 2014. | |
(9) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(10) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(11) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(n)(1) | Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 dated May 15, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. |
(2) | Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011. | |
(3) | Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(4) | Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 24, 2014. | |
(5) | Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Real Estate Income Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(o) | Power of Attorney as it relates to the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(p)(1) | Joint Code of Ethics dated May 17, 2000, as amended September 16, 2004 with State Street Master Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2005. | |
(2) | Amended Code of Ethics of SSgA Funds Management, Inc. dated April 16, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 15, 2013. | |
(3) | Joint Code of Ethics dated May 17, 2000, as amended September 16, 2004, February 18, 2010 and February 13, 2014 with State Street Master Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(4) | Code of Ethics of CBRE Clarion Securities LLC will be filed by subsequent amendment. |
+ | Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 was filed with the Commission on January 30, 2002. The next Post-Effective Amendment, filed on April 30, 2002, should have been sequentially numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 9. Due to a scriveners error, it was numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 10. Such Post-Effective Amendment has been referred to in this Part C as Post-Effective Amendment No. 9. |
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Fund
See the Statement of Additional Information regarding the Trusts control relationships.
Item 30. Indemnification
Under the terms of Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Article VIII, Registrant is required, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, to indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Registrants request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise who may be indemnified by Registrant under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
See Management of the Trust in Part B. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
(m) State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the Trusts principal underwriter and also serves as the principal underwriter for the following investment companies: SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, State Street Master Funds, and SSgA Funds.
(b) To the best of Registrants knowledge, the directors and executive officers of State Street Global Markets, LLC, are as follows:
Nicholas Bonn |
Chief Executive Officer and Director | |
Christopher P. Jensen |
FINOP and Chief Financial Officer and Director | |
Howard Fairweather |
Director | |
Stephan Gavell |
Director | |
Mark Snyder |
Executive Vice President and Director | |
R. Bryan Woodard |
Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary | |
James Ross |
Executive Vice President and Director | |
Martine Bond |
Executive Vice President and Director |
* | The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records of the Trust are located, in whole or in part, at the office of the Trust and the following locations:
State Street Institutional Investment Trust (Trust)
4 Copley Place, 3 rd floor
Boston, MA 02116
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (Adviser)
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the Administrator for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Sub-Administrator for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Administrator for the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 400 Index Fund, State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, and State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio , State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent), except not the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, and State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund.
State Street Bank and Trust Company
4 Copley Place, 3 rd floor
Boston, MA 02116
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, and State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street
Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 35. 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, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust) certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to the Trusts registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Amendment to the Trusts Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this 9 th day of September, 2014.
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
By: | /s/ Ellen M. Needham | |
Ellen M. Needham President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, this Registration Statement for the Trust has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 9 th day of September, 2014:
Signature |
Signature |
|
/s/ William L. Boyan* |
/s/ James E. Ross* |
|
William L. Boyan, Trustee | James E. Ross, Trustee | |
/s/ Michael F. Holland* |
/s/ Richard D. Shirk* |
|
Michael F. Holland, Trustee | Richard D. Shirk, Trustee | |
/s/ William L. Marshall* |
/s/ Rina K. Spence* |
|
William L. Marshall, Trustee | Rina K. Spence, Trustee | |
/s/ Scott F. Powers* |
/s/ Bruce D. Taber* |
|
Scott F. Powers, Trustee | Bruce D. Taber, Trustee | |
/s/ Patrick J. Riley* |
/s/ Douglas T. Williams* |
|
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee | Douglas T. Williams, Trustee | |
/s/ Laura F. Dell |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|
Laura F. Dell, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | Ellen M. Needham, President and Principal Executive Officer |
/s/ David James |
||
*By: David James Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
Document |
|
(e)(5) | Form of Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund. | |
(g)(6) | Form of Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund. | |
(h)(1)(i) | Form of Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Income Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund. | |
(h)(2)(l) | Form of Notice to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund. | |
(h)(2)(m) | Form of Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement dated February 1, 201 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund. | |
(i)(11) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class G shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund | |
(j) | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
FORM OF
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
State Street Global Markets, LLC
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2900.
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between the State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust) and State Street Global Markets, LLC dated August 1, 2009 (the Agreement).
Pursuant to the Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the creation of twenty-two additional series of the Trust (each, a New Fund, and collectively, the New Funds):
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
|
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
Further, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes for the New Funds (except for the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund): Class A, Class C, Class I and Class K shares (the, New Fund Share Classes). Additionally, the Trust has also established Class A, Class I and Class K shares for each of the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund and State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund.
Additionally, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes as presented in the following chart (New Money Fund Share Classes):
Funds |
New Share Classes |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration, Class G |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration |
Additionally, the Trust is renaming the existing class of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Money Market Funds as presented in the following chart:
New Name |
Old Name |
|
Premier |
Institutional |
We request that you act as Distributor under the Agreement with respect to the New Funds, New Money Fund Share Classes and New Fund Share Classes.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one copy to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very truly yours, | ||
State Street Institutional Investment Trust | ||
By: |
|
|
Ellen Needham, President | ||
Accepted: | ||
State Street Global Markets, LLC | ||
By: |
|
FORM OF
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between us dated February 14, 2001 and the Administration Agreement between us dated February 28, 2000 (the Agreements).
Pursuant to the Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the creation of twenty-two additional series of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust, and each new series thereof, a New Fund, and collectively, the New Funds):
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
Further, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes for the New Funds (except for the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund): Class A, Class C, Class I and Class K shares (the, New Fund Share Classes). Additionally, the Trust has also established Class A, Class I and Class K shares for each of the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund and State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund.
Additionally, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes as presented in the following chart (New Money Fund Share Classes):
Funds |
New Share Classes |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund | Institutional, Investor, Administration, Class G |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration |
Additionally, the Trust is renaming the existing class of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Money Market Funds as presented in the following chart:
New Name |
Old Name | |||
Premier | Institutional |
We request that you act as the Administrator and Custodian for the New Funds, New Portfolios and New Fund Share Classes under the terms of the respective Agreements.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very truly yours, |
||
State Street Institutional Investment Trust |
||
By: |
|
|
Ellen Needham, President | ||
Accepted: |
||
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
||
By: |
|
FORM OF
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
2 Heritage Drive
North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171-2119
Attention: General Counsel, Legal Department, 8 th Floor
Re: New Portfolios, New Funds and New Share Classes of State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust)
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Please be advised that the undersigned Trust has established twenty-two additional series of the Trust (each, a New Fund, and collectively, the New Funds):
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund | State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund | |
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund |
|
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund |
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
|
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
Please be advised that the undersigned Trust has terminated its agreement with its current transfer agent and has approved Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) as the new Transfer Agent for the State Street Institutional Equity 500 Index Fund, an existing series of the Trust with the following share classes: Class A, Class I, Class K, Administrative Shares, Service Share and Class R Shares.
Further, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes for the New Funds (except for the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund): Class A, Class C, Class I and Class K Shares (the, New Fund Share Classes). Additionally, the Trust has also established Class A, Class I and Class K shares for the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund.
Additionally, please be advised that the undersigned Trust has also established the following new share classes as presented in the following chart (New Money Fund Share Classes):
Funds |
New Share Classes |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration, Class G | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration |
Additionally, the Trust is renaming the existing class of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Money Market Funds as presented in the following chart:
New Name |
Old Name |
|||
Premier |
Institutional |
In accordance with the Section 18, the Additional Portfolios/Funds provision of the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (the Agreement) dated as of July 31, 2009, by and among the Trust and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS), the undersigned Trust hereby requests that BFDS act as Transfer Agent for the New Funds, the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, New Fund Share Classes, and the New Money Fund Share Classes under the terms of the Agreement and that Schedule A to the Agreement be amended in its entirety and replaced with a new Schedule A. In connection with such request, the undersigned Trust hereby confirms to BFDS, as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter agreement, returning one to the Trust and retaining one for your records.
Sincerely,
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
on behalf of each party to the Agreement
By: |
|
|||
Name: | Ellen Needham | |||
Title: | President, Duly Authorized |
Agreed and Accepted:
BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC.
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: | , Duly Authorized | |
Effective Date: |
2
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS
Dated: July 31, 2009
(as most recently amended, effective June 19, 2014)
State Street Institutional Investment Trust:
Fund | Classes | |
State Street Limited Duration Bond Fund | None | |
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund |
Administrative Shares Service Shares Class R Shares Class A Class I Class K |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Service Class Investment Class Premier Class Institutional Class Investor Class Administration Class Class M Shares |
|
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Service Class Investment Class Premier Class Institutional Class Investor Class Administration Class Class G |
|
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Service Class Investment Class Premier Class Institutional Class Investor Class Administration Class |
|
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Service Class Investment Class Premier Class Institutional Class Investor Class Administration Class |
|
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Service Class Investment Class Premier Class Institutional Class Investor Class Administration Class |
3
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Target Retirement Income Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
4
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Global Equity ex U.S. Index Fund |
Class A Class I Class K |
|
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
Class A Class I Class K |
|
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
|
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
Class A Class C Class I Class K |
5
FORM OF
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Administration Agreement between State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. dated October 19, 2011 (the Agreement).
Pursuant to the Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the following new share classes as presented in the following chart (New Money Fund Share Classes):
Funds |
New Share Classes |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration, Class G | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration |
Additionally, the Trust is renaming the existing class of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Money Market Funds as presented in the following chart:
New Name |
Old Name | |||
Premier | Institutional |
We request that you act as the Administrator for the New Money Fund Share Classes under the terms of the Agreement. As compensation for such services, you shall be entitled to receive from each New Fund and New Portfolio the annual fee reflected on the amended fee schedule to the Agreement, which is attached hereto. By your signature below, you agree that the existing Appendix B to the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and a new Appendix B shall be substituted therefor.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very truly yours, | ||
State Street Institutional Investment Trust | ||
By: |
|
|
Ellen Needham, President | ||
Accepted: | ||
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. | ||
By: |
|
APPENDIX B
FEE SCHEDULE
The Trust on behalf of each Fund will pay the Administrator in United States Dollars following the last day of each month the unpaid balance of a fee equal to the sum of all the daily administrative service fee accruals from the previous month. The daily administrative service fee accrual is calculated on a daily basis by multiplying a Funds net assets by the rate set forth below next to the name of the Fund share class and dividing that product by the number of days in that year; provided, however, that in respect of any Fund where the fee payable hereunder varies by class of shares, the daily administrative service fee accrual is calculated on a daily basis by multiplying the Funds net assets attributable to each class of shares by the rate set forth below in respect of that class and dividing that product by the number of days in the year, and aggregating all such amounts so defined. The Administrator will be entitled to receive during any month such interim payments of its fee under this Agreement as it will request, provided that no such payment will exceed 75 percent of the amount of its fee then accrued on the books of a Fund and unpaid.
The average daily net assets of each Fund will mean the average of the values placed on the Funds net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on each day on which the net asset value of the Fund is determined consistent with the provisions of Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act or, if the Fund lawfully determines the value of its net assets as of some other time on each business day, as of such time. The value of the net assets of each Fund will always be determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Trusts Declaration, as amended from time-to-time and the Registration Statement. If the determination of net asset value for a Fund does not take place for any particular day, then for the purposes of this Agreement, the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined will be deemed to be the value of its net assets as of 4:00 p.m. (New York time), or as of such other time as the value of the net assets of the Funds portfolio may be lawfully determined on that day. If a Fund determines the value of the net assets of its portfolio more than once on any day, then the last such determination thereof on that day will be deemed to be the sole determination thereof on that day for the purposes of this Agreement.
Fund |
Share Classes |
Fee Rate |
||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Class M Shares | 0.03% | ||
All other share classes | 0.05% | |||
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
All share classes | 0.05% | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Class G Shares | 0.01% | ||
All other share classes | 0.05% | |||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
All share classes | 0.05% | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
All share classes | 0.05% |
Updated: June 19, 2014
FORM OF
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Sub-Administration Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. dated February 1, 2011 (the Agreement).
Pursuant to the Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the following new share classes as presented in the following chart (New Money Fund Share Classes):
Funds |
New Share Classes |
|
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration, Class G | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
Institutional, Investor, Administration |
Additionally, the Trust is renaming the existing class of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund Money Market Funds as presented in the following chart:
New Name |
Old Name | |||
Premier | Institutional |
We request that you act as the Sub-Administrator for the New Money Fund Share Classes under the terms of the Agreement.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very truly yours, | ||
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. | ||
By: |
|
Accepted: |
||
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
||
By: |
|
|
ROPES & GRAY LLP PRUDENTIAL TOWER 800 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02199-3600 WWW.ROPESGRAY.COM |
September 8, 2014
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, Massachusetts 02206
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are furnishing this opinion in connection with the proposed offer and sale by State Street Institutional Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), of Class G shares of beneficial interest (Shares) of State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the Fund), a series of the Trust, pursuant to an amendment to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (No. 333-30810) (the Registration Statement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
We have examined the Trusts Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014 (the Declaration of Trust) on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have further examined the Trusts By-Laws and such other documents as we deem necessary for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that all Shares will be offered and sold on the terms, and that the Trust will receive for the sale of such Shares the consideration, set forth in the Registration Statement as in effect at the time of such sale, and that such consideration will be in each case at least equal to the applicable net asset value per Share. In addition, we have assumed that any and all conditions established by resolution of the Trustees to the authorization or issuance of the Shares will have been satisfied in full prior to, and in respect of, such issuance.
We assume that appropriate action has been taken to register or qualify the sale of the Shares under any applicable state and federal laws regulating offerings and sales of securities.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares of the Fund, and that, when such Shares are issued and sold and the authorized consideration therefor is received by the Trust, such Shares will be validly issued,
fully paid, and nonassessable by the Trust. We express no opinion as to the effect of laws, rules, and regulations of any state or jurisdiction other than The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a Massachusetts business trust. Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of the Trust, and also requires that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the trustees or any trustee, by any officer or officers or otherwise shall give notice to the effect that the obligations of such instrument are not binding on shareholders. The Declaration of Trust provides that in case any shareholder or former shareholder shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a shareholder of the Trust or of a particular 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 of the series of which he or she is a shareholder or former shareholder to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. Thus, the risk of a shareholder of a series of the Trust incurring financial loss on account of such shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with and as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ropes & Gray LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the references to our firm under the captions Financial Highlights in the Prospectus of State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Statement of Additional Information in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No. 333-30810) of State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and to the incorporation by reference of our report, dated February 26, 2014, on the financial statements and financial highlights of State Street Institutional Investment Trust included in the December 31, 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP |
Boston, Massachusetts
September 5, 2014