As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2015
Securities Act File No. 333-92106
Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-21145
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | x | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 And |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||||
UNDER |
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THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | x |
Amendment No. 117
SPDR ® INDEX SHARES FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number: (866) 787-2257
Copies to:
Christopher A. Madden State Street Bank and Trust Company One Lincoln Street/CPH0326 Boston, Massachusetts 02111 |
W John McGuire, Esq. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 2020 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 |
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
¨ | immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b) |
x | on December 15, 2015 pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | on pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | 75 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | on pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Investment Objective |
The SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the total return performance of an index that tracks publicly-traded North American companies in natural resources and/or commodities businesses. |
Management fees | 0.35% |
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees | None |
Other expenses 1 | 0.00% |
Total annual Fund operating expenses | 0.35% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
Year 1 | Year 3 |
$36 | $113 |
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF | 0.35% |
NANRSTATPRO | The Trust's Investment Company Act Number is 811-21145 |
SPDR ® INDEX SHARES FUNDS (THE TRUST)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dated December 15, 2015
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. With respect to the Trusts series listed below, this SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated December 15, 2015, as may be revised from time to time (Prospectus).
ETF |
TICKER | |||
SPDR S&P ® North American Natural Resources ETF |
NANR |
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for the ETF: NYSE Arca, Inc.
Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to State Street Global Markets, LLC, the Trusts principal underwriter (referred to herein as Distributor or Principal Underwriter), State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, by visiting the Trusts website at www.spdrs.com or by calling 1-866-787-2257. The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore does not have financial information to report for the Trusts September 30, 2015 fiscal year end.
NANRSAI
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A-1 |
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), consisting of multiple investment series, including the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (the Fund). The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 14, 2002. The offering of the Funds shares (the Fund Shares and each, a Fund Share) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The investment objective of the Fund is to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the total return of a specified market index (the Index). SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (SSGA FM or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser for the Fund.
The Fund offers and issues Fund Shares at their net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as NAV) only in aggregations of a specified number of Fund Shares (each, a Creation Unit). The Fund generally offers and issues Fund Shares in exchange for a basket of securities included in its Index (Deposit Securities) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (Cash Component). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a cash in lieu amount (Deposit Cash) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Fund Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading on a national securities exchange (the Exchange). The Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices may differ from the Fund Shares net asset values. The Fund Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. A Creation Unit of the Fund consists of 50,000 Fund Shares, as set forth in the Prospectus.
Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement (as defined below). See Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.
The Fund may invest in the following types of investments, consistent with its investment strategies and objective. Please see the Funds Prospectus for additional information regarding its principal investment strategies.
DIVERSIFICATION STATUS
The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. A non-diversified classification means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. This means that the Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a diversified fund. The securities of a particular issuer may constitute a greater portion of the Index and, therefore, the securities may constitute a greater portion of the Funds portfolio. This may have an adverse effect on the Funds performance or subject the Funds shares to greater price volatility than more diversified investment companies.
Although the Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund intends to maintain the required level of diversification and otherwise conduct its operations so as to qualify as a regulated investment company for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Internal Revenue Code), and to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may limit the investment flexibility of the Fund and may make it less likely that the Fund will meet its investment objective.
COMMON STOCKS
The Fund may invest in common stocks. Risks inherent in investing in equity securities include the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the Funds portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value of Shares of the Fund). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
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CONCENTRATION
The Funds investments will generally be concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Funds underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries. The securities of issuers in particular industries may dominate the benchmark Index of the Fund and consequently the Funds investment portfolio. This may adversely affect the Funds performance or subject its Fund Shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by less concentrated investment companies. The Trusts general policy is to exclude securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities when measuring industry concentration.
In pursuing its objective, the Fund may hold the securities of a single issuer in an amount exceeding 10% of the market value of the outstanding securities of the issuer, subject to restrictions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. In particular, as the Funds size grows and its assets increase, it will be more likely to hold more than 10% of the securities of a single issuer if the issuer has a relatively small public float as compared to other components in its benchmark Index.
U.S. REGISTERED SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Fund may purchase publicly traded common stocks of foreign corporations.
Investing in U.S. registered, dollar-denominated, securities issued by non-U.S. issuers involves some risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital. Foreign companies may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions.
The Funds investment in common stock of foreign corporations may also be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) (collectively Depositary Receipts). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world. The Fund may invest in unsponsored Depositary Receipts. The issuers of unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts.
PREFERRED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in preferred securities. Preferred securities pay fixed or adjustable rate dividends to investors, and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a companys assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. In order to be payable, distributions on preferred securities must be declared by the issuers board of directors. Income payments on typical preferred securities currently outstanding are cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accrue even if not declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on the preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable.
The market value of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred securities, and by actual and anticipated changes in tax laws.
Because the claim on an issuers earnings represented by preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Funds holdings of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced and the Fund would be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.
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CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their conversion value, which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including affiliated funds and money market funds, subject to applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1), the Fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the acquired company) provided that the Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company; (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than Treasury stock of the Fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. To the extent allowed by law, regulation, the Funds investment restrictions and the Trusts exemptive relief, the Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies that are affiliated funds and/or money market funds, in excess of the limits discussed above.
If the Fund invests in, and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, the Funds shareholders will indirectly bear the Funds proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Funds own investment adviser and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with the Funds own operations.
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
The Fund may invest in other exchange-traded funds (including ETFs managed by the Adviser). ETFs may be structured as investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, typically as open-end funds or unit investment trusts. These ETFs are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market securities indices. An index-based ETF seeks to provide investment results that match the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. An enhanced ETF seeks to provide investment results that match a positive or negative multiple of the performance of an underlying index. In seeking to provide such results, an ETF and, in particular, an enhanced ETF, may engage in short sales of securities included in the underlying index and may invest in derivatives instruments, such as equity index swaps, futures contracts, and options on securities, futures contracts, and stock indices. Alternatively, ETFs may be structured as grantor trusts or other forms of pooled investment vehicles that are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act. These ETFs typically hold commodities, precious metals, currency or other non-securities investments. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, such as advisory and custody fees. When the Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, including the brokerage costs associated with the purchase and sale of shares of the ETF, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the ETFs expenses. In addition, it may be more costly to own an ETF than to directly own the securities or other investments held by the ETF because of ETF expenses. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities or other investments held by the ETF, although lack of liquidity in the market for the shares of an ETF could result in the ETFs value being more volatile than the underlying securities or other investments.
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers in U.S. and non-U.S. markets in an amount not to exceed one quarter (25%) of the value of its total assets. The borrowers provide collateral that is marked to market daily, in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the securities loaned. The Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. The Fund cannot vote
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proxies for securities on loan, but may recall loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Funds economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Distributions received on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments ( i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.
With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower will be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain short-term instruments either directly on behalf of the Fund or through one or more joint accounts or money market funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser.
The Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to one or more securities lending agents approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board) who administer the lending program for the Fund in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent causes the delivery of loaned securities from the Fund to borrowers, arranges for the return of loaned securities to the Fund at the termination of a loan, requests deposit of collateral, monitors the daily value of the loaned securities and collateral, requests that borrowers add to the collateral when required by the loan agreements, and provides recordkeeping and accounting services necessary for the operation of the program. State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), an affiliate of the Trust, has been approved by the Board to serve as securities lending agent for the Fund and the Trust has entered into an agreement with State Street for such services. Among other matters, the Trust has agreed to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities. State Street has received an order of exemption from the SEC under Sections 17(a) and 12(d)(1) under the 1940 Act to serve as the lending agent for affiliated investment companies such as the Trust and to invest the cash collateral received from loan transactions to be invested in an affiliated cash collateral fund.
Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process especially so in certain international markets such as Taiwan), gap risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), risk of loss of collateral, credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. Although State Street has agreed to provide the Fund with indemnification in the event of a borrower default, the Fund is still exposed to the risk of losses in the event a borrower does not return the Funds securities as agreed. For example, delays in recovery of lent securities may cause the Fund to lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price.
LEVERAGING
While the Fund does not anticipate doing so, the Fund may borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets. However, under normal circumstances, the Fund will not borrow money from a bank in an amount greater than 10% of the value of the Funds total assets. Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of the Funds assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV of the Fund will increase more when such Funds portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Funds portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Fund may conduct foreign currency transactions on a spot (i.e., cash) or forward basis (i.e., by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies). Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge a fee for such conversions, they do realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the counterparty desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward contracts are customized transactions that generally require a specific amount of a currency to be delivered at a specific exchange rate on a specific date or range of dates in the future although the Fund may also enter into non-deliverable currency forward contracts (NDFs) that contractually require the netting of the parties liabilities. Forwards, including NDFs, can have substantial price volatility. Forward contracts are generally traded in an interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to maturity and complete the contemplated currency exchange. At the discretion of the Adviser, the Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts for hedging purposes to help reduce the risks and volatility caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, or to gain exposure to certain currencies in an effort to track the composition of the applicable Index. When used for hedging purposes, they tend to limit any potential gain that may be realized if the value of the Funds foreign holdings increases because of currency fluctuations.
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FUTURES CONTRACTS, OPTIONS AND SWAP AGREEMENTS
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in derivatives, including exchange-traded futures on Treasuries or Eurodollars, U.S. exchange-traded or OTC put and call options contracts and exchange-traded or OTC swap agreements (including interest rate swaps, total return swaps, excess return swaps, and credit default swaps). The Fund will segregate cash and/or appropriate liquid assets if required to do so by SEC or Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulation or interpretation.
Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.
The Fund is required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional variation margin will be required. Conversely, change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, the Fund would expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (buying a contract which has previously been sold, or selling a contract previously purchased) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.
The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying securities, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying securities themselves.
The Fund intends to use futures and options in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). The Fund may use exchange-traded futures and options, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to simulate full investment in its underlying Index. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts may not be currently available for an Index. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to the applicable Index components or a subset of the components. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator in accordance with Rule 4.5 so that the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
Restrictions on the Use of Futures and Options. In connection with its management of the Fund, the Adviser has claimed an exclusion from registration as a commodity trading advisor under the CEA and, therefore, is not subject to the registration and regulatory requirements of the CEA. The Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures and options thereon to the extent allowed by the CFTC regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with the Funds policies. The Fund would take steps to prevent its futures positions from leveraging its securities holdings. When it has a long futures position, it will maintain with its custodian bank, cash or equivalents. When it has a short futures position, it will maintain with its custodian bank assets substantially identical to those underlying the contract or cash and equivalents (or a combination of the foregoing) having a value equal to the net obligation of the Fund under the contract (less the value of any margin deposits in connection with the position).
Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into swap agreements, including interest rate, index and total return swap agreements. Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the other party agrees to make payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, i.e. , where the two parties make net payments with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or equivalents having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained by the Fund.
In the case of a credit default swap (CDS), the contract gives one party (the buyer) the right to recoup the economic value of a decline in the value of debt securities of the reference issuer if the credit event (a downgrade or default) occurs. This value is obtained by delivering a debt security of the reference issuer to the party in return for a previously agreed payment from the other party (frequently, the par value of the debt security). As the seller of a CDS contract, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other
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agreed upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the counterparty in the event of a default or other credit event by the reference issuer, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, with respect to debt obligations. In return, the Fund would receive from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the seller, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
CDSs may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of a reference obligation. The Fund will segregate assets necessary to meet any accrued payment obligations when it is the buyer of CDSs. In cases where the Fund is a seller of a CDS, if the CDS is physically settled, the Fund will be required to segregate the full notional amount of the CDS. Such segregation will not limit the Funds exposure to loss.
CDS agreements involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, illiquidity risk associated with a particular issuer, and credit risk, each of which will be similar in either case, CDSs are subject to the risk of illiquidity within the CDS market on the whole, as well as counterparty risk. The Fund will enter into CDS agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. The Fund will only enter into CDSs for purposes of better tracking the performance of its Index.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options and futures contracts, options on futures contracts, warrants, swaps and any other investments which are not presently contemplated for use by the Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Funds investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Before entering into such transactions or making any such investment, the Fund will provide appropriate disclosure.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which the Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a bankers acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day as defined below). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by the Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by the Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Custodian until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15% of the Funds net assets will be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such transactions is that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and the Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of the Funds assets. The Funds exposure to reverse repurchase agreements will be covered by securities having a value equal to or greater than such
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commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered borrowings. Although there is no percentage limit on Fund assets that can be used in connection with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund does not expect to engage, under normal circumstances, in reverse repurchase agreements with respect to more than 10% of their respective total assets.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund may invest in restricted securities. Restricted Securities are securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, but which can be offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Institutional markets for restricted securities have developed as a result of the promulgation of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, which provides a safe harbor from Securities Act registration requirements for qualifying sales to institutional investors. When Rule 144A restricted securities present an attractive investment opportunity and meet other selection criteria, the Fund may make such investments whether or not such securities are illiquid depending on the market that exists for the particular security. The Board has delegated the responsibility for determining the liquidity of Rule 144A restricted securities that the Fund may invest in to the Adviser. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Adviser may consider the following factors: the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace in which it trades ( e.g. , the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer).
COMMERCIAL PAPER
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but sometimes may be interest bearing.
OTHER SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS
In addition to repurchase agreements, the Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, (including money market funds advised by the Adviser), cash and cash equivalents, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds (including those advised by the Adviser); (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (CDs), bankers acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase Prime-1 by Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) or A-1 by Standard & Poors (S&P), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities ( e.g. , bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus.
GENERAL
Investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Funds portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.
An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Fund Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.
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Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
The principal trading market for some of the securities in an Index may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of the Funds shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Funds portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITs)
The Fund may invest in REITs. REITs pool investors funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. An entity treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not taxed on income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) for each taxable year. REITs can generally be classified as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs, which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property, derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs, which invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages, derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. The Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities issued by real estate companies. However, the Fund may be subject to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate (in addition to securities markets risks) because of its policy of concentration in the securities of companies in the real estate industry. These include declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, dependency on management skill, heavy cash flow dependency, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding, extended vacancies of properties, increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, losses due to costs resulting from the clean-up of environmental problems, liability to third parties for damages resulting from environmental problems, casualty or condemnation losses, limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants and changes in interest rates. Investments in REITs may subject Fund shareholders to duplicate management and administrative fees.
In addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, if applicable, Equity and Mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for the beneficial tax treatment available to U.S. REITs under the Internal Revenue Code, or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrowers or a lessees ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting investments.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RISK
An investment in the Fund may be subject to a number of actual or potential conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates may provide services to the Fund, such as securities lending agency services, custodial, administrative, bookkeeping, and accounting services, transfer agency and shareholder servicing, securities brokerage services, and other services for which the Fund would compensate the Adviser and/or such affiliates. The Fund may invest in other pooled investment vehicles sponsored, managed, or otherwise affiliated with the Adviser. There is no assurance that the rates at which the Fund pays fees or expenses to the Adviser or its affiliates, or the terms on which it enters into transactions with the Adviser or its affiliates will be the most favorable available in the market generally or as favorable as the rates the Adviser makes available to other clients. Because of its financial interest, the Adviser may have an incentive to enter into transactions or arrangements on behalf of the Fund with itself or its affiliates in circumstances where it might not have done so in the absence of that interest.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.
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The Fund will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures or options contract by only entering into futures and options for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Fund does not plan to use futures and options contracts, when available, in this manner. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund, however, may utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to that which is comparable to what it would have incurred through direct investment in securities.
Utilization of futures transactions by the Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to its benchmark Index if the index underlying the futures contracts differs from the benchmark Index or if the futures contracts do not track the benchmark Index as expected. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option.
Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.
RISKS OF SWAP AGREEMENTS
Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Funds rights as a creditor.
The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.
The absence of a regulated execution facility or contract market and lack of liquidity for swap transactions has led, in some instances, to difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, the Funds counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Fund is not a member of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund holds cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, the Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients obligations to the clearing house. Centrally cleared derivative arrangements may be less favorable to the Fund than bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, the Fund may be required to provide greater amounts of margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to bilateral derivatives transactions, in some cases following a period of notice to the Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time or an increase in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions or to terminate transactions at any time. The Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which SSGA expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Funds behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation.
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These clearing rules and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict the Funds ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations are new and evolving, so their potential impact on the Fund and the financial system are not yet known.
Because they are two party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid and subject to the Funds limitation on investments in illiquid securities. To the extent that a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to the Funds interest.
If the Fund uses a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.
TAX RISKS
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Fund Shares will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this SAI is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares.
Unless your investment in Fund Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-advantaged retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when the Fund makes distributions or you sell Fund Shares.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The method by which Creation Units of Fund Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Fund Shares are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a distribution, as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Fund Shares, and sells such Fund Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Fund Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Fund Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not underwriters but are effecting transactions in Fund Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Fund Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Fund Shares are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that the Funds Prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
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The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, the Fund may not:
1. Concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry, except as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Funds underlying Index 1 ;
2. Make loans to another person except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund;
3. Issue senior securities or borrow money, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund;
4. Invest directly in real estate unless the real estate is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not preclude the Fund from investing in companies that deal in real estate or in instruments that are backed or secured by real estate;
5. Act as an underwriter of another issuers securities, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the Funds purchase and sale of portfolio securities; or
6. Invest in commodities except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, the Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote. The Fund will not:
1. Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, provided that the Trust may vote the investment securities owned by the Fund in accordance with its views;
2. Hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment;
3. Under normal circumstances invest less than 80% of its total assets in component securities that comprise its benchmark Index (which may include indirect investments through an underlying fund, if any) and in depositary receipts (including American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) based on the securities in its Index; or
4. Under normal circumstances, invest less than 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of North American natural resources and commodities companies.
Prior to any change in the Funds 80% investment policy, the Fund will provide shareholders with 60 days written notice. The Fund defines the foregoing terms in accordance with the definition of such terms per the applicable Index. If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitations within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays). With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.
1 | The SEC Staff considers concentration to involve more than 25% of a funds assets to be invested in an industry or group of industries. |
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The 1940 Act currently permits the Fund to loan up to 33 1 / 3 % of its total assets. With respect to borrowing, the 1940 Act presently allows the Fund to: (1) borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets, (2) borrow money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Funds total assets at the time of the loan, and (3) enter into reverse repurchase agreements. However, under normal circumstances any borrowings by the Fund will not exceed 10% of the Funds total assets. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation. With respect to investments in commodities, the 1940 Act presently permits the Fund to invest in commodities in accordance with investment policies contained in its prospectus and SAI. Any such investment shall also comply with the Commodity Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment companys ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every investment company have the fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may invest in companies that deal in real estate (including REITs) or in instruments that are backed or secured by real estate.
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus under PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION and ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The Fund Shares are approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Fund Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Funds shares will continue to be met.
The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the Funds shares from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Fund Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the value of its underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available; (3) the indicative optimized portfolio value (IOPV) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available; or (4) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the Fund Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or the Fund.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the Fund Share price of the Fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, brokers commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The base and trading currencies of the Fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which the Funds net asset value per Fund Share is calculated and the trading currency is the currency in which the Funds shares are listed and traded on the Exchange.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled MANAGEMENT.
Board Responsibilities. The management and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Fund described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has approved contracts, as described in this SAI, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.
Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Adviser, Distributor, Administrator and Sub-Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trusts service providers and, thus, have oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e. , events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. The Fund and its service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trusts business ( e.g. , the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Funds service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.
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The Trustees role in risk oversight begins before the inception of the Fund, at which time the Funds Adviser presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund, as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally, the Funds Adviser provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, its investment philosophies, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the Adviser and other service providers, such as the Funds independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, the Board meets with the Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisers adherence to the Funds investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about the Funds investments.
The Trusts Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues. At least annually, the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trusts policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from the Funds service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Regular reports are made to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Funds financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Funds internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund managements implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trusts internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trusts financial reporting and the preparation of the Trusts financial statements.
From their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Fund, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Funds goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the Funds investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Funds Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Funds and each others in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Boards ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.
Trustees and Officers. There are six members of the Board of Trustees, five of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (Independent Trustees). Frank Nesvet, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board. The Board has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a super-majority (greater than 75%) of the Board, the fact that the chairperson of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from fund management.
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The Board of Trustees has two standing committees: the Audit Committee and Trustee Committee. The Audit Committee and Trustee Committee are each chaired by an Independent Trustee and composed of all of the Independent Trustees.
Set forth below are the names, year of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations during the last five years and other directorships held of each of the persons currently serving as a Trustee or Officer of the Trust.
TRUSTEES
NAME, ADDRESS AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S)
WITH
|
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD
BY
|
|||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||||||||
FRANK NESVET c/o SPDR Index Shares Funds State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 1943 |
Independent Trustee, Chairman, Trustee Committee Chair |
Term: Unlimited Served: since September 2000 |
Chief Executive Officer, Libra Group, Inc. (a financial services consulting company) (1998-present). | 197 | SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee). | |||||
DAVID M. KELLY c/o SPDR Index Shares Funds State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 1938 |
Independent Trustee, Audit Committee Chair |
Term: Unlimited Served: since September 2000 |
Retired. | 197 | Chicago Stock Exchange (Former Director, retired); Penson Worldwide Inc. (Former Director, retired); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee). | |||||
BONNY EUGENIA BOATMAN c/o SPDR Index Shares Funds State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 1950 |
Independent Trustee |
Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010 |
Retired. | 197 |
SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee). |
|||||
DWIGHT D. CHURCHILL c/o SPDR Index Shares Funds State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 1953 |
Independent Trustee |
Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010 |
Self-employed consultant since 2010; CEO and President, CFA Institute (June 2014-January 2015). | 197 | SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee); Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (Director). | |||||
CARL G. VERBONCOEUR c/o SPDR Index Shares Funds State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 1952 |
Independent Trustee |
Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010 |
Self-employed consultant since 2009. | 197 | The Motley Fool Funds Trust (Trustee); SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee). |
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NAME, ADDRESS AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S)
WITH
|
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD
BY
|
|||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEE | | | | | ||||||
JAMES E. ROSS* SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1965 |
Interested Trustee |
Term: Unlimited Served as Trustee: since April 2010 |
Chairman and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005-present); Senior Managing Director and Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2006-present); President, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005-2012). |
261 | SPDR Series Trust (Trustee); SSGA Master Trust (Trustee); SSGA Active Trust (Trustee); Select Sector SPDR Trust (Trustee); State Street Master Funds (Trustee); and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (Trustee). |
* | Mr. Ross is an Interested Trustee because of his employment with the Adviser and ownership interest in an affiliate of the Adviser. Mr. Ross previously served as an Interested Trustee from November 2005 to December 2009. |
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OFFICERS
NAME, ADDRESS AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) WITH FUNDS |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS |
|||
ELLEN M. NEEDHAM SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1967 |
President |
Term: Unlimited Served: since October 2012 |
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)*; 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 1966 |
Vice President; Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Unlimited Served: since August 2012; Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2015 |
Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014-present); Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005-present).* | |||
MICHAEL P. RILEY SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1969 |
Vice President |
Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2005 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2008-present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005-2008). | |||
JOSHUA A. WEINBERG SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1978 |
Chief Legal Officer |
Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2015 |
Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (2011 present); Clerk, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2013 present); Associate, Financial Services Group, Dechert LLP (2006 2011). | |||
CHRISTOPHER A. MADDEN State Street Bank and Trust Company One Hundred Huntington Avenue, CPH0326 Boston, MA 02116 1967 |
Secretary |
Term: Unlimited Served: since August 2013 |
Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013-present); Counsel, Atlantic Fund Services (2009-2013); Vice President, Citigroup Fund Services, LLC (2005-2009).* | |||
PATRICIA A. MORISETTE State Street Bank and Trust Company One Hundred Huntington Avenue, CPH0326 Boston, MA 02116 1973 |
Assistant Secretary |
Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2015 |
Vice President and Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2014-present); Assistant Vice President and Counsel, John Hancock Financial Services (2011-2013); Independent legal consultant (2009-2011); Associate, Bingham McCutchen LLP (2003-2009).* , ** | |||
CHAD C. HALLETT SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1969 |
Treasurer |
Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2010 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (November 2014 present); Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2001-November 2014).* |
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NAME, ADDRESS AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) WITH FUNDS |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS |
|||
BRIAN HARRIS SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1973 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2013 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2013-Present); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (2010-2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (2008-2010). |
|||
TREVOR SWANBERG SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 1979 |
Code of Ethics Compliance Officer |
Term: Unlimited Served: since August 2015 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (January 2015-Present); Senior Manager Mutual Fund Compliance, ICMA-Retirement Corporation (December 2011- January 2015); Assistant Vice President, J.P. Morgan (September 2007-December 2011). |
* | Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period. |
** | Served in various capacities and/or with unaffiliated mutual funds or closed-end funds for which State Street Bank and Trust Company or its affiliates act as a provider of services during the noted time period. |
Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Fund provided to him or her by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Fund, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Funds shareholders. The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Nesvet should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer of a financial services consulting company, serving on the boards of other investment companies, and serving as chief financial officer of a major financial services company; his knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2000.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Kelly should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, his previous directorship experience, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2000.
The Board has concluded that Ms. Boatman should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as Managing Director of the primary investment division of one of the nations leading financial institutions and her knowledge of the financial services industry. Ms. Boatman was elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in April 2010.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Churchill should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the CFA Institute, serving as the Head of the Fixed Income Division of one of the nations leading mutual fund companies and provider of financial services and his knowledge of the financial services industry. Mr. Churchill was elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in April 2010.
The Board has concluded that Mr. Verboncoeur should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer of a large financial services and investment management company, his knowledge of the financial services industry and his experience serving on the boards of other investment companies. Mr. Verboncoeur was elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in April 2010.
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The Board has concluded that Mr. Ross should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained in his various roles with the Adviser, his knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of the Trust since 2005 (Mr. Ross did not serve as Trustee from December 2009 until April 2010).
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Boards overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund.
REMUNERATION OF THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
No officer, director or employee of the Adviser, its parent or subsidiaries receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. The Trust, SSGA Master Trust, SSGA Active Trust , and SPDR Series Trust (collectively, the Trusts) pay, in the aggregate, each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $200,000 plus $10,000 per in-person meeting attended and $1,250 for each telephonic or video conference meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $50,000 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $20,000. Prior to July 1, 2015, each Independent Trustee received an annual fee of $185,000 plus $10,000 per in-person meeting attended and $1,250 for each telephonic or video conference meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board received an additional annual fee of $50,000 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $20,000. The Trusts also reimburses each Independent Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending such meetings and in connection with attending industry seminars and meetings. Trustee fees are allocated between the Trusts and each of their respective series in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the relative net assets of the series.
The table below shows the compensation that the Independent Trustees received during the Trusts fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE |
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST |
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ACCRUED AS PART OF TRUST EXPENSES |
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT |
TOTAL
COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST AND FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES(1) |
||||||||||||
Frank Nesvet |
$ | 224,871 | N/A | N/A | $ | 298,750 | ||||||||||
Bonny Boatman |
$ | 186,169 | N/A | N/A | $ | 247,500 | ||||||||||
Dwight Churchill |
$ | 187,105 | N/A | N/A | $ | 248,750 | ||||||||||
David M. Kelly |
$ | 202,150 | N/A | N/A | $ | 268,750 | ||||||||||
Carl Verboncoeur |
$ | 187,105 | N/A | N/A | $ | 248,750 |
(1) | The Fund Complex includes the Trust. |
STANDING COMMITTEES
Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. Mr. Kelly serves as Chairman. The Audit Committee meets with the Trusts independent auditors to review and approve the scope and results of their professional services; to review the procedures for evaluating the adequacy of the Trusts accounting controls; to consider the range of audit fees; and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the engagement of the Trusts independent auditors. The Audit Committee met five (5) times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.
Trustee Committee. The Board has established a Trustee Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. Mr. Nesvet serves as Chairman. The responsibilities of the Trustee Committee are to: 1) nominate Independent Trustees; 2) review on a periodic basis the governance structures and procedures of the Funds; 3) review proposed resolutions and conflicts of interest that may arise in the business of the Funds and may have an impact on the investors of the Funds; 4) review matters that are referred to the Committee by the Chief Legal Officer or other counsel to the Trust; and 5) provide general oversight of the Funds on behalf of the investors of the Funds. The Trustee Committee does not have specific procedures in place with respect to the consideration of nominees recommended by security holders, but may consider such nominees in the event that one is recommended. The Trustee Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.
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OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
As of October 1, 2015, neither the Independent Trustees nor their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Adviser, Principal Underwriter or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or Principal Underwriter.
The following table shows as of December 31, 2014, the amount of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in the Trust:
Name of Trustee |
Fund |
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Trust |
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
|||||
Independent Trustees: |
||||||||
Frank Nesvet |
None | None | None | |||||
Bonny Eugenia Boatman |
None | None | None | |||||
Dwight D. Churchill |
None | None | None | |||||
David M. Kelly |
None | None | None | |||||
Carl G. Verboncoeur |
None | None | $10,001 to $50,000 | |||||
Interested Trustee: |
||||||||
James E. Ross |
None | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust and the Adviser (which includes applicable reporting personnel of the Distributor) each have adopted a code of ethics as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to the codes of ethics). Each Code of Ethics permits personnel, subject to that Code of Ethics, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.
There can be no assurance that the codes of ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each code of ethics, filed as exhibits to this registration statement, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. As such, the Board has delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to the Adviser. The Advisers proxy voting policy is attached at the end of this SAI. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge by calling 1-866-787-2257; (2) on the Funds website at www.spdrs.com ; and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS POLICY
The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trusts portfolio holdings. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Funds portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Trust, the Adviser or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except: (i) to a party for a legitimate business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the Fund or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory purpose, upon waiver or exception.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
SSGA FM acts as investment adviser to the Trust and, subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of the Fund. As of September 30, 2015, the Adviser managed approximately $362.96 billion in assets. The Advisers principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Adviser, a Massachusetts corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), consisting of the Adviser and other investment advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation, is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.
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The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (Investment Advisory Agreement) between the Trust and the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to the Fund, continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without penalty, on 60 days notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of the Fund, manages the investment of the Funds assets. The Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.
For the services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser monthly fees based on a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets as set forth in the Funds Prospectus. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee. The Adviser pays all expenses of the Fund other than the management fee, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustees counsel fees), acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
A summary of the factors considered by the Board of Trustees in connection with the initial approval of the investment advisory agreement for the Fund will be available in the Funds annual report or semi-annual report, as applicable, after the Fund commences operations.
The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not pay fees to the Adviser for the past three fiscal years.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The Adviser manages the Fund using a team of investment professionals. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund are:
Fund | Portfolio Managers | |
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF |
Mike Feehily, John Tucker and Karl Schneider |
The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each of the key professionals involved in the day-to-day portfolio management for each Fund and assets under management in those accounts. The total number of accounts and assets have been allocated to each respective manager. Therefore, some accounts and assets have been counted twice.
Other Accounts Managed as of September 30, 2015
Portfolio Manager |
Registered
Investment Company Accounts* |
Assets
Managed (billions) |
Pooled
Investment Vehicle Accounts* |
Assets
Managed (billions) |
Other
Accounts* |
Assets
Managed (billions) |
Total
Assets Managed (billions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Feehily |
139 | $ | 168.90 | 398 | $ | 454.57 | 329 | $ | 212.10 | $ | 835.58 | |||||||||||||||||
John Tucker |
139 | $ | 168.90 | 398 | $ | 454.57 | 329 | $ | 212.10 | $ | 835.58 | |||||||||||||||||
Karl Schneider |
139 | $ | 168.90 | 398 | $ | 454.57 | 329 | $ | 212.10 | $ | 835.58 |
* | There are no performance fees associated with the management of these accounts. |
21
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore the portfolio managers did not beneficially own any Fund Shares.
A portfolio manager that has responsibility for managing more than one account may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because he or she is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Fund. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of: (a) the portfolio managers execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers 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 provide a fair and equitable allocation among the portfolio managers accounts with the same strategy.
Portfolio managers may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, 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. 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 managers may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the Fund. 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 managers are responsible for accounts that have different advisory feesthe 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. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participate 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 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 provide a fair and equitable allocation.
The compensation of the Advisers investment professionals is based on a number of factors. The first factor considered is external market. Through a compensation survey process, the Adviser seeks to understand what its competitors are paying people to perform similar roles. This data is then used to determine a competitive baseline in the areas of base pay, bonus, and long term incentive (i.e. equity). The second factor taken into consideration is the size of the pool available for this compensation. The Adviser is a part of State Street Corporation, and therefore works within its corporate environment on determining the overall level of its incentive compensation pool. Once determined, this pool is then allocated to the various locations and departments of the Adviser and its affiliates. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to these locations and departments is influenced by the competitive market data, as well as the overall performance of the group, and in the case of investment teams, the investment performance of their strategies. The pool is then allocated on a discretionary basis to individual employees based on their individual performance. There is no fixed formula for determining these amounts, nor is anyones compensation directly tied to the investment performance or asset value of a product or strategy. The same process is followed in determining incentive equity allocations.
THE ADMINISTRATOR, SUB-ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
Administrator . SSGA FM serves as the administrator to each series of the Trust, pursuant to an Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 (the SSGA Administration Agreement). Pursuant to the SSGA Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and its series and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the SSGA Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust.
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Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Prior to June 1, 2015, State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) served as the Trusts administrator, pursuant to an Administration Agreement dated September 22, 2000 (the SSB Administration Agreement). As compensation for its services under the SSB Administration Agreement, State Street received a fee for its services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust and SPDR Series Trust, of 0.0225% on the first $12.5 billion and 0.0075% thereafter.
State Street serves as the sub-administrator to each series of the Trust, pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 (the Sub-Administration Agreement). Under the Sub-Administration Agreement, State Street is obligated to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Trust and its series. State Street is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company, and is affiliated with the Adviser. State Streets mailing address is 100 Huntington Avenue, Tower 2, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116.
State Street also serves as Custodian for the Trusts series pursuant to a custodian agreement (Custodian Agreement). As Custodian, State Street holds Fund assets, calculates the net asset value of the Fund Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. State Street and the Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
State Street also serves as Transfer Agent for each series of the Trust pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (Transfer Agency Agreement).
Compensation. As compensation for their services provided under the SSGA Administration and Sub-Administration agreements, SSGA FM and State Street, respectively, shall receive fees for the services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust and SPDR Series Trust, of 0.0225% on the first $12.5 billion and 0.0075% thereafter.
As compensation for its services under the Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, State Street shall receive a fee for its services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust and SPDR Series Trust. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, State Street shall receive 0.0025% on the first $50 billion, 0.0020% on the next $50 billion and 0.0010% thereafter. In addition, under the Custody Agreement State Street shall be entitled to fees for fund accounting services and shall receive 0.0150% for the first $12.5 billion and 0.0025% thereafter. State Street shall also be entitled to specialized custody, ETF accounting services and transfer agency fees and shall receive 0.0050% on the first $12.5 billion and 0.0030% thereafter. For each series of the Trust, a $110,000 annual minimum fee applies. The greater of the minimum fee or the asset based fee will be charged. In addition, State Street shall receive global safekeeping and transaction fees, which are calculated on a per-country basis, in-kind creation (purchase) and redemption transaction fees (as described below) and revenue on certain cash balances. State Street may be reimbursed by the series of the Trust for its out-of-pocket expenses. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will pay certain operating expenses of the Trust, including the fees due to State Street under the Custodian Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
State Street Global Markets, LLC is the principal underwriter and Distributor of Fund Shares. Its principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Investor information can be obtained by calling 1-866-787-2257. The Distributor has entered into a distribution agreement (Distribution Agreement) with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund Shares of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually thereafter. Fund Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below under PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS. Fund Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust. The Distributor may assist Authorized Participants (as defined below) in assembling shares to purchase Creation Units or upon redemption, for which it may receive commissions or other fees from such Authorized Participants. The Distributor also receives compensation from State Street for providing on-line creation and redemption functionality to Authorized Participants through its Fund Connect application.
The Adviser or Distributor, or an affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor, may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make registered representatives and other professionals more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems. As of February 7, 2013, the Adviser and/or Distributor had arrangements to make payments, other than for the educational programs and marketing activities described above, only to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab). Pursuant to the arrangement with Schwab, Schwab has agreed to promote certain SPDR Funds to Schwabs customers and not to charge certain of its customers any commissions when those customers purchase or sell shares of certain SPDR Funds. Payments to a broker-dealer or intermediary may create potential conflicts of interest between the broker-dealer or intermediary and its clients. These amounts, which may be significant, are paid by the Adviser and/or Distributor from their own resources and not from the assets of the Fund. In addition, the
23
Adviser or Distributor, or an affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor, as well as an index provider that is not affiliated with the Adviser or Distributor, may also reimburse expenses or make payments from their own assets to other persons in consideration of services or other activities that they believe may benefit the SPDR business or facilitate investment in SPDR Funds.
The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to the Fund: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least 60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The continuation of the Distribution Agreement any other related agreements is subject to annual approval of the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, as described above.
The allocation among the Trusts series of fees and expenses payable under the Distribution Agreement will be made pro rata in accordance with the daily net assets of the respective series.
The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (Soliciting Dealers) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in the Book Entry Only System section below), DTC Participants (as defined below) and/or Investor Services Organizations.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor, and may indemnify Soliciting Dealers and Authorized Participants (as described below) entering into agreements with the Distributor, for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement or other agreement, as applicable.
INDEX PROVIDER AND OTHER PERSONS
An unaffiliated index provider may make payments from its own assets to other persons in consideration for services provided or other activities that may facilitate investment in SPDR Funds.
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities for the Fund is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trusts policy is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Adviser from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of the Funds shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer to execute its portfolio transactions.
In selecting a broker/dealer for each specific transaction, the Adviser chooses the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution and does not take the sale of Fund Shares into account. The Adviser considers the full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction that 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, underwriting and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending upon 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 will also use electronic crossing networks when appropriate.
The Adviser does not currently use the Funds assets for, or participate in, third party soft dollar arrangements, although the Adviser may receive proprietary research from various full service brokers, the cost of which is bundled with the cost of the brokers execution services. The Adviser does not pay up for the value of any such proprietary research. The Adviser may aggregate trades with clients of SSGA, whose commission dollars may be used to generate soft dollar credits for SSGA. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for third party soft dollars, the Advisers and SSGAs clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by SSGA.
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The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Trust. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
The Fund will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not pay brokerage commissions during the past fiscal year.
Securities of Regular Broker-Dealer. The Fund is required to identify any securities of its regular brokers and dealers (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. Regular brokers or dealers of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trusts portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Trusts shares. The Fund is new and has not engaged in transactions prior to the date of this SAI.
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses or transaction costs. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is expected to be under 100%. The Fund may also experience higher portfolio turnover when migrating to a different benchmark index. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions and transaction costs is evaluated by the Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions and transaction costs paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) acts as securities depositary for the Fund Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Fund Shares.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the DTC Participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the Indirect Participants).
Beneficial ownership of Fund Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Fund Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as Beneficial Owners) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Fund Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Fund Shares held by each DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Fund Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may
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reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Fund Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Fund Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the Funds shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Fund Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a street name, and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Fund Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to Fund Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Fund Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the date of this SAI.
An Authorized Participant (as defined below) may hold of record more than 25% of the outstanding Fund Shares of the Fund. From time to time, Authorized Participants may be a beneficial and/or legal owner of the Fund, may be affiliated with an index provider, may be deemed to have control of the applicable Fund and/or may be able to affect the outcome of matters presented for a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Authorized Participants may execute an irrevocable proxy granting the Distributor or another affiliate of State Street (the Agent) power to vote or abstain from voting such Authorized Participants beneficially or legally owned Fund Shares of the Fund. In such cases, the Agent shall mirror vote (or abstain from voting) such Fund Shares in the same proportion as all other beneficial owners of the Fund.
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, own less than 1% of the Trusts voting securities as of the date of this SAI.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
The Fund issues and redeems its Fund Shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of Fund Shares called a Creation Unit, either principally in-kind for securities included in the relevant Index or in cash for the value of such securities. The value of the Fund is determined once each business day, as described under Determination of Net Asset Value. The Creation Unit size for the Fund may change. Authorized Participants (as defined below) will be notified of such change. The principal consideration for creations and redemptions for the Fund is set forth in the table below:
FUND |
CREATION* | REDEMPTION* | ||||||
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF |
In-Kind | In-Kind |
* | May be revised at any time without notice. |
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PURCHASE (CREATION). The Trust issues and sells Fund Shares of the Fund only: in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (Participant Agreement). A Business Day with respect to the Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE is open for business.
FUND DEPOSIT. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of either (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the Deposit Securities) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or a portfolio sampling representation, of the securities included in the relevant Funds Index and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below or (ii) the cash value of the Deposit Securities (Deposit Cash) and Cash Component, computed as described below. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for cash, the Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together, the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the Fund Deposit, which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of any Fund. The Cash Component, which may include a Dividend Equivalent Payment, is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. The Dividend Equivalent Payment enables the Fund to make a complete distribution of dividends on the day preceding the next dividend payment date, and is an amount equal, on a per Creation Unit basis, to the dividends on all the portfolio securities of the Fund (Dividend Securities) with ex-dividend dates within the accumulation period for such distribution (the Accumulation Period), net of expenses and liabilities for such period, as if all of the Dividend Securities had been held by the Fund for the entire Accumulation Period. The Accumulation Period begins on the ex-dividend date for the Fund and ends on the day preceding the next ex-dividend date. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).
The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund. Such Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for the Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. Information regarding the Fund Deposit necessary for the purchase of a Creation Unit is made available to Authorized Participants and other market participants seeking to transact in Creation Unit aggregations. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the Funds Index.
As noted above, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to the Cash Component, including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws; or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, non-standard orders). The Trust also reserves the right to: (i) permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash; and (ii) include or remove Deposit Securities from the basket in anticipation of index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the subject Index being tracked by the relevant Fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.
PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION UNITS. To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter, as facilitated via the Transfer Agent, to purchase a Creation Unit of the Fund, an entity must be (i) a Participating Party, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the Clearing Process), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM). In
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addition, each Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an Authorized Participant) must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.
All orders to purchase Fund Shares directly from the Fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the Order Placement Date.
An Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, (e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to purchase Fund Shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units have to be placed by the investors broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or markets on which the Funds investments are primarily traded is closed, the Fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash) or through DTC (for corporate securities), through a subcustody agent for (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of such Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities. Foreign Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of the Fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The Settlement Date for the Fund is generally the third Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using the Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.
The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions), with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. A creation request is considered to be in proper form if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed.
ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT. Except as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Principal Underwriter and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.
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In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit Securities for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the net asset value of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the Additional Cash Deposit), which shall be maintained in a general non-interest bearing collateral account. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such Additional Cash Deposit to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Securities, including the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Principal Underwriter plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below under Creation Transaction Fees will be charged in all cases and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS. The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted in respect of the Fund at its discretion, including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Fund Shares of the Fund; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Adviser make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process orders for Creation Units. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Principal Underwriter, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Trust or its agents shall communicate to the Authorized Participant its rejection of an order. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trusts determination shall be final and binding.
REDEMPTION. Fund Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM FUND SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Fund Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Fund Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of the Funds portfolio securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (Fund Securities). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities.
Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of the Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Fund Securitiesas announced by the Custodian on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the Cash Redemption Amount), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any
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applicable additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the net asset value of the Fund Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trusts discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more Fund Securities.
PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant by the Settlement Date. With respect to in-kind redemptions of the Fund, the calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under Determination of Net Asset Value, computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the requisite number of Fund Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of Fund Shares of the Fund are not delivered by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, the Fund will not release the underlying securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing Fund Shares as set forth in the Participant Agreement (marked to market daily).
With respect to in kind redemptions of the Fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, an Authorized Participant must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust or its agents), to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within three Business Days of the trade date. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. The section below entitled Local Market Holiday Schedules identifies the instances where more than seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, in respect of the Fund, the Trust will make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Local Market Holidays section to be the maximum number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If the Authorized Participant has not made appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Fund Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.
If it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Fund Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trusts brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities but does not differ in net asset value.
An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Fund Shares to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) the Fund Shares to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Fund Shares to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from the Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.
Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a qualified institutional buyer, (QIB) as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Fund Securities.
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The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Fund Shares of the Fund or determination of the NAV of the Fund Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
REQUIRED EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS FOR CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL FUNDS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as described in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form, certain Funds may require orders to be placed up to one or more Business Days prior to the trade date, as described in the Participant Agreement or the applicable order form, in order to receive the trade dates net asset value. Orders to purchase Fund Shares of such Funds that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) that the equity markets in the relevant foreign market are closed may not be accepted. Authorized Participants may be notified that the cut-off time for an order may be earlier on a particular Business Day, as described in the Participant Agreement and the applicable order form.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEES. A transaction fee, as set forth in the table below, is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase or redemption of Creation Units, as applicable. Authorized Participants will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee and/or a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, on a given day regardless of the number of Creation Units created or redeemed on that day. The Fund may adjust the transaction fee from time to time. An additional charge or a variable charge (discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders and whole or partial cash purchases or redemptions. With respect to creation orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust and with respect to redemption orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may also be charged a fee for such services.
Creation and Redemption Transaction Fees:
FUND |
TRANSACTION
FEE*,** |
MAXIMUM
TRANSACTION FEE*,** |
||||||
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF |
$ | 250 | $ | 1,000 |
* | From time to time, the Fund may waive all or a portion of its applicable transaction fee(s). An additional charge of up to three (3) times the standard transaction fee may be charged to the extent a transaction is outside of the clearing process. |
** | In addition to the transaction fees listed above, the Fund may charge an additional variable fee for creations and redemptions in cash to offset brokerage and impact expenses associated with the cash transaction. The variable transaction fee will be calculated based on historical transaction cost data and the Advisers view of current market conditions; however, the actual variable fee charged for a given transaction may be lower or higher than the trading expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to that transaction. |
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the sections in the Prospectus entitled PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION and ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.
Net asset value per Fund Share for the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Fund Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of the Fund is calculated by State Street and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open. Fixed-income assets are generally valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments in a particular market or exchange. Creation/redemption order cut-off times may be earlier on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or applicable exchange or market on which the Funds investments are traded) announces an early closing time. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at market rates on the date of valuation (generally as of 4:00 p.m. London time) as quoted by one or more sources.
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In calculating the Funds net asset value per Fund Share, the Funds investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer), (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (iii) based on amortized cost. The Fund relies on a third-party service provider for assistance with the daily calculation of the Funds NAV. The third-party service provider, in turn, relies on other parties for certain pricing data and other inputs used in the calculation of the Funds NAV. Therefore, the Fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on its service provider and that service providers sources of pricing and other data. NAV calculation may be adversely affected by operational risks arising from factors such as errors or failures in systems and technology. Such errors or failures may result in inaccurately calculated NAVs, delays in the calculation of NAVs and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such funds published net asset value per share. The Adviser may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any pricing service, as approved by the Board from time to time. A price obtained from a pricing service based on such pricing services valuation matrix may be considered a market valuation.
In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Trusts procedures require the Oversight Committee to determine a securitys fair value if a market price is not readily available. In determining such value the Oversight Committee may consider, among other things, (i) price comparisons among multiple sources, (ii) a review of corporate actions and news events, and (iii) a review of relevant financial indicators (e.g., movement in interest rates, market indices, and prices from the Funds Index Provider). In these cases, the Funds net asset value may reflect certain portfolio securities fair values rather than their market prices. The fair value of a portfolio instrument is generally the price which the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale in an orderly market between market participants. Ascertaining fair value requires a determination of the amount that an arms-length buyer, under the circumstances, would currently pay for the portfolio instrument. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate the Funds net asset value and the prices used by the Funds benchmark Index. This may result in a difference between the Funds performance and the performance of the Funds benchmark Index. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Funds portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Fund Shares.
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled DISTRIBUTIONS.
GENERAL POLICIES
Dividends from net investment income, if any, are generally declared and paid periodically, as described in the Prospectus, but may vary significantly from period to period. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for the Fund to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
Dividends and other distributions on Fund Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Fund Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust.
Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the Funds eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes at the Fund level.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
Broker dealers, at their own discretion, may offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Fund Shares are purchased in the secondary market at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment service offered by such broker dealer.
The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that supplements the discussion in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a comprehensive explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.
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The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION.
TAXATION OF THE FUND. The Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectus. Losses in one series of the Trust do not offset gains in any other series of the Trust, and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying for treatment as a RIC are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level. The Fund has elected or will elect and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a separate RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, the Fund should not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders. In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC, the Fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its taxable net investment income (generally including the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax exempt interest income, if any (the Distribution Requirement) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of the Funds gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (the Qualifying Income Requirement); and (ii) at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year, its assets must be diversified so that (a) at least 50% of the market value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that it controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the Diversification Requirement).
If the Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement or the Diversification Requirement in any taxable year, the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the Diversification Requirement where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period of time. In order to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the Diversification Requirement, the Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to the Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC for a taxable year, all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) generally would be taxable as ordinary income dividends to its shareholders, subject to the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and the lower tax rates on qualified dividend income received by noncorporate shareholders. To requalify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and to distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it would generally be required to pay a Fund-level tax on certain net built-in gains recognized with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund for treatment as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its capital gains for each taxable year. If the Fund meets the Distribution Requirement but retains some or all of its income or gains, it will be subject to federal income tax to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. The Fund may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the Fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes, in their Fund Shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits. If the Fund failed to satisfy the Distribution Requirement for any taxable year, it would be taxed as a regular corporation, with consequences generally similar to those described in the preceding paragraph.
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The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year, subject to an increase for any shortfall in the prior years distribution. The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.
The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any qualified late year loss as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Funds taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such qualified late year loss as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A qualified late year loss generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as post-October losses) and certain other late-year losses.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a RICs net investment income. Instead, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, potentially subject to certain limitations, the Fund may carry a net capital loss from any taxable year forward to offset its capital gains in the future years. The Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to the Fund and may not be distributed as capital gains to its shareholders. Generally, the Fund may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERSDISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), its net tax-exempt income, if any, and any net capital gain (net recognized long-term capital gains in excess of net recognized short-term capital losses, taking into account any capital loss carryforwards). The Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends paid from ordinary income, the amount of distributions of net capital gain, the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends-received deduction, the portion of dividends which may qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income, and the amount of exempt interest dividends, if any.
Subject to certain limitations, dividends reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income will be taxable to non corporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%. Dividends may be reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income if they are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income includes, in general, subject to certain holding period requirements and other requirements, dividend income from certain U.S. and foreign corporations. Subject to certain limitations, eligible foreign corporations include those incorporated in possessions of the United States, those incorporated in certain countries with comprehensive tax treaties with the United States and other foreign corporations if the stock with respect to which the dividends are paid is tradable on an established securities market in the United States. A dividend generally will not be treated as qualified dividend income to the extent that (i) the shareholder has not held the stock on which the dividend was paid for more than 60 days during the 121-day period that begins on the date that is 60 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend or, in the case of certain preferred stock, for more than 90 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date, (ii) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property, or (iii) the shareholder elects to treat such dividend as investment income under section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. The holding period requirements described in this paragraph apply to shareholders investments in the Fund and to the Funds investments in underlying dividend-paying stocks. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT or another RIC may be treated as qualified dividend income generally only to the extent the dividend distributions are attributable to qualified dividend income received by such REIT or RIC. It is expected that dividends received by the Fund from a REIT and distributed by the Fund to a shareholder generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. If 95% or more of the Funds gross income (calculated without taking into account net capital gain derived from sales or other dispositions of stock or securities) consists of qualified dividend income, that Fund may report all distributions of such income as qualified dividend income.
Certain dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations (generally, dividends received in respect of any share of stock (1) with a tax holding period of at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend as to that dividend and (2) that is held in an unleveraged position) when distributed and appropriately so reported by the Fund may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code. In order to qualify for the deduction, corporate shareholders must meet the minimum holding period requirement stated above with respect to their Fund Shares, taking into account any holding period reductions from certain hedging or other transactions or positions that diminish their risk of loss with respect to their Fund Shares, and, if they borrow to acquire or otherwise incur debt attributable to Fund Shares, they may be denied a portion of the dividends-received deduction with respect to those Fund Shares. The entire dividend, including the otherwise deductible amount, will be included in determining the excess, if any, of a corporations adjusted current earnings over its alternative minimum taxable income, which may increase a corporations alternative minimum tax liability. Any corporate shareholder should consult its tax adviser regarding the possibility that its tax basis in its Fund Shares may be reduced, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by reason of extraordinary dividends received with respect to the Fund Shares and, to the extent such basis would be reduced below zero, current recognition of income may be required.
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Distributions from the Funds net short-term capital gains will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions from the Funds net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how long shareholders have held their Fund Shares. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December and payable to shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared.
If the Funds distributions exceed its earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made in the taxable year may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution generally will not be taxable but will reduce the shareholders cost basis and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when the Fund Shares on which the distribution was received are sold. After a shareholders basis in the Fund Shares has been reduced to zero, distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as gain from the sale of the shareholders Fund Shares.
Distributions that are reinvested in additional Fund Shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if offered by your broker-dealer, will nevertheless be taxable dividends to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a surviving spouse for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes, interest, dividends, and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized on the sale of Shares) are generally taken into account in computing a shareholders net investment income, but exempt-interest dividends generally are not taken into account. Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes depending on a shareholders circumstances.
Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes depending on a shareholders circumstances.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS SALE OF SHARES. In general, a sale of Fund Shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the Fund Shares were held. A sale of Fund Shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses, and a sale of those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to non corporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%.
Gain or loss on the sale of Fund Shares is measured by the difference between the amount received and the adjusted tax basis of the Fund Shares. Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including Fund Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the tax basis of their Fund Shares.
A loss realized on a sale of Fund Shares may be disallowed if substantially identical Fund Shares are acquired (whether through the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date that the Fund Shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the Fund Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale of Fund Shares held for six (6) months or less will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends paid on such Shares, and any amount of the loss that exceeds the amount disallowed will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains).
COST BASIS REPORTING. The cost basis of Fund Shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the Fund Shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of Fund Shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of Fund Shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your Fund Shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.
TAXATION OF FUND INVESTMENTS. Dividends and interest received by the Fund on foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the Fund meets certain requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value
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of the Funds total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of certain foreign stocks or securities (generally including foreign government securities), then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) that may enable its shareholders, in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to certain foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations. Pursuant to this election, the Fund would treat the applicable foreign taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders. Each such shareholder would be required to include a proportionate share of those taxes in gross income as income received from a foreign source and must treat the amount so included as if the shareholder had paid the foreign tax directly. The shareholder may then either deduct the taxes deemed paid by him or her in computing his or her taxable income or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating any foreign tax credit the shareholder may be entitled to use against such shareholders federal income tax. If the Fund makes this election, the Fund will report annually to its shareholders the respective amounts per share of the Funds income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions. No deduction for such taxes will be permitted to individuals in computing their alternative minimum tax liability. If the Fund does not make this election, the Fund will be entitled to claim a deduction for certain foreign taxes incurred by the Fund.
Certain of the Funds investments may be subject to complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (including provisions relating to hedging transactions, straddles, integrated transactions, foreign currency contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, and notional principal contracts) that, among other things, could affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund ( e.g. , may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions, intends to make appropriate tax elections, and intends to make appropriate entries in its books and records in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and preserve the Funds qualification for treatment as a RIC.
If the Fund acquires any equity interest (under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future, generally including not only stock but also an option to acquire stock such as is inherent in a convertible bond) in certain foreign corporations (i) that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or (ii) where at least 50% of the corporations assets (computed based on average fair market value) either produce or are held for the production of passive income (passive foreign investment companies or PFICs), the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and nondeductible interest charges on excess distributions received from such companies or on gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. A qualified electing fund election or a mark to market election may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax at the Fund level, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund. Gains from the sale of stock of PFICs may also be treated as ordinary income. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its returns from these investments.
The Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark-to-market and recognize as income for each taxable year their net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. It is anticipated that certain net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Requirement.
TAX-EXEMPT SHAREHOLDERS. Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k) plans, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (UBTI). Under current law, the Fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of their investment in the Fund where, for example, (i) the Fund invests in REITs that hold residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) or (ii) Fund Shares constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholders within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisors. There are no restrictions preventing the Fund from holding investments in REITs that hold residual interests in REMICs, and the Fund may do so. The IRS has issued guidance with respect to these issues and prospective shareholders, especially charitable remainder trusts, are strongly encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding these issues.
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FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. Dividends, other than capital gains dividends, and exempt interest dividends, paid by the Fund to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gain or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in the United States. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the United States withholding tax and the proper withholding form(s) to be submitted to the Fund. A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an appropriate IRS Form W-8 may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions (other than exempt-interest dividends) payable to such entities payable to such entities after June 30, 2014 (or, in certain cases, after later dates) and redemptions and certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities after December 31, 2018. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
Non-U.S. persons are subject to U.S. tax on disposition of a United States real property interest (a USRPI). Gain on such a disposition is sometimes referred to as FIRPTA gain. The Internal Revenue Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of FIRPTA gain if certain requirements are met. If the look-through rule applies, certain distributions attributable to income received by the Fund from REITs may be treated as gain from the disposition of a USRPI, causing distributions to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at rates of up to 35%, and requiring non-U.S. investors to file nonresident U.S. income tax returns. Also, gain may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. shareholder that is treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may itself qualify as a USRPI, which would result in similar consequences to certain non-U.S. investors.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as backup withholding) on amounts (including exempt-interest dividends) payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is 28%. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the U.S.
CREATION UNITS. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchangers aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchangers basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing wash sales, or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.
Any gain or loss realized upon a creation of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the securities exchanged therefor as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Similarly, any gain or loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the Fund Shares comprising the Creation Units as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year and, otherwise, will generally be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six (6) months or less will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends paid with respect to the Creation Units, and to the extent not disallowed will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gains with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).
37
The Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in any deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Fund Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If the Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Fund Shares, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) may not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.
Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.
CERTAIN POTENTIAL TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. Under promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of the Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS 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. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including significant penalties. 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.
The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Fund Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Fund Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.
INVESTMENT BY AN UNDERTAKING FOR COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT IN TRANSFERABLE SECURITIES
The Adviser has reviewed the investment characteristics and limitations of the Fund and believes that the Fund qualifies as an undertaking for collective investment (UCI) for purposes of the Luxembourg law of 17 December 2010. However, an Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities should consult its own counsel regarding the qualification of the Fund as a UCI before investing in the Fund.
CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
The Fund issues shares of beneficial interest, par value $.01 per Fund Share. The Board may designate additional funds.
Each Fund Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding series of the Trust. Fund Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Fund Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.
Each Fund Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all series of the Trust (Funds) vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund it will be voted on only by that fund and if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other Funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Massachusetts law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Fund Shares of the Trust (regardless of the fund) have noncumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees. Under Massachusetts law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust, requires that Trust obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trusts property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and the nature of the Funds assets and operations, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is believed to be remote.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, State Street Global Markets, LLC at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
38
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 2020 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, serves as counsel to the Trust. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC performs annual audits of the Funds financial statements and provides other audit, tax and related services.
LOCAL MARKET HOLIDAY SCHEDULES
The Trust generally intends to effect deliveries of portfolio securities on a basis of T plus three business days (i.e., days on which the NYSE is open) in the relevant foreign market of the Fund. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind redemptions within three business days of receipt of a redemption request is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the request to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are local market holidays on the relevant business days. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the local market that are not holidays observed in the United States, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening local holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within three business days.
The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with local market holiday schedules, may require a delivery process longer than the standard settlement period. In certain circumstances during the calendar year, the settlement period may be greater than seven calendar days. Such periods are listed in the table below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Since certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year may exceed the maximum number of days listed in the table below. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as informal holidays (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future and longer (worse) redemption periods are possible.
Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2015 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Fund. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:
Argentina |
Australia |
Austria | Bahrain | Belgium | Brazil | |||||
January 1 February 16-17 March 3-4, 23-24 April 2-3 May 1, 25 July 9 August 17 October 12 November 6, 23 December 7-8, 25 |
January 1, 26 March 2, 9 April 3, 6 May 4 June 1, 8 August 3, 12 September 28 October 5 November 3 December 25, 28 |
January 1, 6
April 6 May 1, 14, 25 June 4 October 26 December 8, 24-25 |
January 1-2
May 1 July 17-19 September 23-25 October 14, 22-23 December 16-17, 23 |
January 1
April 3, 6 May 1 December 25 |
January 1
February 16-18 April 3, 21 May 1 June 4 July 9 November 20 December 24-25, 31 |
Canada |
Chile |
China |
Columbia | Czech Republic | Denmark | |||||
January 1-2 February 9, 16 April 3 May 18 June 24 July 1 August 3 September 7 October 12 November 11 December 25, 28 |
January 1 April 3 May 1, 21 June 29 July 16 September 18 October 12 December 8, 25, 31 |
January 1-2 February 18-20, 23-24 April 6 May 1 June 20 September 27 October 1-2, 5-7 December 25 |
January 1, 12
March 23 April 2-3 May 1, 18 June 8, 15 August 7, 17 October 12 November 2, 16 December 8, 25 |
January 1
April 6 May 1, 8 July 6 September 28 October 28 November 17 December 24-25 |
January 1
April 2-3, 6 May 1, 14-15, 25 June 5 December 24-25, 31 |
39
40
Japan | Jordan | Kuwait | Lebanon | Malaysia | Mauritius | |||||
January 1-2, 12 February 11 April 29 May 4-6 July 20 September 21-23 October 12 November 3, 23 December 23, 31 |
January 1, 3 April 30 May 25 July 17-20 September 22-26 October 14 December 25 |
January 1, 3
February 25-26 May 16 July 17-19 September 22-25 October 14 December 24 |
January 1, 6
February 9 March 25 April 3, 10 May 1 July 17 September 23-24 October 14, 23 December 25 |
January 1
February 2-3, 19-20 May 1, 4 July 17-18 August 31
September
October 14 November 10 December 24-25 |
January 1-2
February 3, 17, 19 March 12 May 1 July 18 September 18 November 2, 11 December 25 |
|||||
Mexico | Morocco | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | Oman | |||||
January 1 February 2 March 16 April 2-3 May 1 September 16 November 20 December 25 |
January 1 May 1 July 30 August 14, 20-21 September 23 October 13 November 6, 18 |
January 1
April 3, 6, 27, 30 May 5, 14, 25 December 25 |
January 1-2
February 6 April 3, 6, 27 June 1
October 26
|
January 1
April 1-3, 6 May 1, 14, 25 December 24-25, 31 |
January 1
May 15 July 20-21, 23 September 25, 28 October 13 November 18 December 24 |
|||||
Peru | Philippines | Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Russia | |||||
January 1 April 2-3 May 1 July 28 October 8 December 8, 25 |
January 1, 2 February 19 April 2-3, 9 May 1 June 12 August 21, 31 November 30 December 24-25, 30-31 |
January 1, 6
April 3, 6 May 1 June 4 November 11 December 24-25, 31 |
January 1
April 3 May 1 June 10 December 25 |
January 1
February 10 March 1 July 20-22 September 21-23 December 18 |
January 1-5, 5-9
February 23 March 9 May 1, 4, 11 June 12 November 4 |
|||||
Singapore | South Africa | South Korea | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | |||||
January 1 February 19-20 April 3 May 1 June 1 July 17 August 10 September 24 November 10 December 25 |
January 1 April 3, 6, 27 May 1 June 16 August 10 September 24 December 16, 25 |
January 1
February 18-20 May 1, 5, 25 July 17 September 28 October 1, 9 December 24-25, 31 |
January 1, 6
March 19 April 2-3, 6 May 1, 14, 25 June 4 October 12 December 8, 25 |
January 1, 5-6
April 2-3, 6, 30 May 1, 13-14 June 19 October 30 December 24-25, 31 |
January 1-2
April 3, 6 May 1, 14, 25 December 25 |
|||||
Taiwan | Thailand | Turkey | U.A.E. | United Kingdom | ||||||
January 1-2 February 18-20, 23, 27 April 3, 6 May 1 June 19 September 28 October 9 |
January 1 March 4 April 6, 13-15 May 1, 5 June 1 July 1, 30 August 12 October 23 December 7, 10, 31 |
January 1
April 23 May 1, 19 July 16-17 September 23-25 October 28-29 |
January 1, 3
May 15 July 18-20 September 24-27 October 15 December 2-3 |
January 1
April 3, 6 May 4, 25 August 31 December 25, 28 |
* | Early Close |
41
Redemptions. The longest redemption cycle for the Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose securities comprise the Funds. In calendar years 2015 and 2016, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycles* for the Fund as follows:
2015
Country |
Trade Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number of
Days to Settle |
|||||||||
Brazil |
02/11/15 | 02/19/15 | 8 | |||||||||
02/12/15 | 02/20/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
02/13/15 | 02/23/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
China |
02/13/15 | 02/25/15 | 12 | |||||||||
02/16/15 | 02/26/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
02/17/15 | 02/27/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/28/15 | 10/08/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/29/15 | 10/09/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/30/15 | 10/12/15 | 12 | ||||||||||
Indonesia |
07/13/15 | 07/22/15 | 9 | |||||||||
07/14/15 | 07/23/15 | 9 | ||||||||||
07/15/15 | 07/24/15 | 9 | ||||||||||
Ireland |
12/22/15 | 12/30/15 | 8 | |||||||||
12/23/15 | 12/31/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
Israel |
04/01/15 | 04/12/15 | 11 | |||||||||
04/02/15 | 04/13/15 | 11 | ||||||||||
09/21/15 | 10/06/15 | 15 | ||||||||||
09/24/15 | 10/07/15 | 13 | ||||||||||
Kazakhstan |
09/18/15 | 09/28/15 | 10 | |||||||||
Philippines |
01/12/15 | 01/20/15 | 8 | |||||||||
01/13/15 | 01/21/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
01/14/15 | 01/22/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/23/15 | 01/04/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
12/28/15 | 01/05/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/29/15 | 01/06/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
Qatar |
07/14/15 | 07/22/15 | 8 | |||||||||
07/15/15 | 07/23/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
07/16/15 | 07/26/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/09/15 | 09/17/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
09/10/15 | 09/20/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/13/15 | 09/21/15 | 8 |
42
Country |
Trade Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number of
Days to Settle |
|||||||||
Russia |
12/28/15 | 01/13/16 | 16 | |||||||||
12/29/15 | 01/14/16 | 16 | ||||||||||
12/30/15 | 01/05/16 | 16 | ||||||||||
South Africa |
03/27/15 | 04/07/15 | 11 | |||||||||
03/30/15 | 04/08/15 | 9 | ||||||||||
03/31/15 | 04/09/15 | 9 | ||||||||||
04/01/15 | 04/10/15 | 9 | ||||||||||
04/02/15 | 04/13/15 | 11 | ||||||||||
04/20/15 | 04/28/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/21/15 | 04/29/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/22/15 | 04/30/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/23/15 | 05/01/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/24/15 | 05/05/15 | 11 | ||||||||||
04/28/15 | 05/06/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/29/15 | 05/07/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/30/15 | 05/08/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/09/15 | 06/17/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/10/15 | 06/18/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/11/15 | 06/19/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/12/15 | 06/22/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
06/15/15 | 06/23/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/03/15 | 08/11/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/04/15 | 08/12/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/05/15 | 08/13/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/06/15 | 08/14/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/07/15 | 08/17/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/17/15 | 09/25/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
09/18/15 | 09/28/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
09/21/15 | 09/29/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
09/22/15 | 09/30/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
09/23/15 | 10/01/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/09/15 | 12/17/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/10/15 | 12/18/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/11/15 | 12/21/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
12/14/15 | 12/22/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/15/15 | 12/23/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/18/15 | 12/28/15 | 10 | ||||||||||
12/21/15 | 12/29/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/22/15 | 12/30/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/23/15 | 12/31/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/24/15 | 01/04/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
Spain |
03/30/15 | 04/07/15 | 8 | |||||||||
03/31/15 | 04/08/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/01/15 | 04/09/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
Thailand |
04/08/15 | 04/16/15 | 8 | |||||||||
04/09/15 | 04/17/15 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/10/15 | 04/20/15 | 10 |
43
2016
Country |
Trade Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number of
Days to Settle |
|||||||||
China |
02/03/16 | 02/17/16 | 14 | |||||||||
02/04/16 | 02/18/16 | 14 | ||||||||||
02/05/16 | 02/19/16 | 14 | ||||||||||
04/27/16 | 05/09/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
04/28/16 | 05/10/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
04/29/16 | 05/11/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
09/28/16 | 10/11/16 | 13 | ||||||||||
09/29/16 | 10/12/16 | 13 | ||||||||||
09/30/16 | 10/13/16 | 13 | ||||||||||
Colombia |
03/18/16 | 03/28/16 | 10 | |||||||||
Indonesia |
06/29/16 | 07/11/16 | 12 | |||||||||
06/30/16 | 07/12/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
07/01/16 | 07/13/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
Ireland |
12/21/16 | 12/29/16 | 8 | |||||||||
12/22/16 | 01/02/17 | 11 | ||||||||||
Israel |
04/20/16 | 05/01/16 | 11 | |||||||||
04/21/16 | 05/02/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
10/10/16 | 10/25/16 | 15 | ||||||||||
10/13/16 | 10/26/16 | 13 | ||||||||||
Malaysia |
07/01/16 | 07/11/16 | 10 | |||||||||
07/04/16 | 07/12/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
07/05/16 | 07/13/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
Mexico |
03/18/16 | 03/28/16 | 10 | |||||||||
Pakistan |
09/08/16 | 09/16/16 | 8 | |||||||||
09/09/16 | 09/19/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
Philippines |
12/23/15 | 01/04/16 | 12 | |||||||||
12/28/15 | 01/05/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/29/15 | 01/06/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
Qatar |
09/06/16 | 09/18/16 | 12 | |||||||||
09/07/16 | 09/19/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
09/08/16 | 09/20/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
Serbia |
04/26/16 | 05/04/16 | 8 | |||||||||
04/27/16 | 05/05/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/28/16 | 05/06/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
South Africa |
12/24/15 | 01/04/16 | 11 | |||||||||
12/28/15 | 01/05/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/29/15 | 01/06/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/30/15 | 01/07/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/31/15 | 01/08/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
03/14/16 | 03/22/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
03/15/16 | 03/23/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
03/16/16 | 03/24/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
03/17/16 | 03/29/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
03/18/16 | 03/30/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
03/22/16 | 03/31/16 | 9 | ||||||||||
03/23/16 | 04/01/16 | 9 |
44
Country |
Trade Date |
Settlement
Date |
Number of
Days to Settle |
|||||||||
03/24/16 | 04/04/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
04/20/16 | 04/28/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/21/16 | 04/29/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/22/16 | 05/03/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
04/25/16 | 05/04/16 | 9 | ||||||||||
04/26/16 | 05/05/16 | 9 | ||||||||||
04/28/16 | 05/06/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/29/16 | 05/09/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
06/09/16 | 06/17/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/10/16 | 06/20/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
06/13/16 | 06/21/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/14/16 | 06/22/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
06/15/16 | 06/23/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/02/16 | 08/10/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/03/16 | 08/11/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/04/16 | 08/12/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
08/05/16 | 08/15/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
08/08/16 | 08/16/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/09/16 | 12/19/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
12/12/16 | 12/20/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/13/16 | 12/21/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/14/16 | 12/22/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/15/16 | 12/28/16 | 13 | ||||||||||
12/16/16 | 12/28/16 | 12 | ||||||||||
12/19/16 | 12/29/16 | 10 | ||||||||||
12/20/16 | 01/02/17 | 13 | ||||||||||
12/21/16 | 01/03/17 | 13 | ||||||||||
12/22/16 | 01/04/17 | 13 | ||||||||||
12/28/16 | 01/05/17 | 8 | ||||||||||
12/29/16 | 01/06/17 | 8 | ||||||||||
Sweden |
12/30/15 | 01/07/16 | 8 | |||||||||
Thailand |
04/08/16 | 04/18/16 | 10 | |||||||||
04/11/16 | 04/19/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
04/12/16 | 04/20/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
Turkey |
07/01/16 | 07/11/16 | 10 | |||||||||
07/04/16 | 07/12/16 | 8 | ||||||||||
09/08/16 | 09/19/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
09/09/16 | 09/20/16 | 11 | ||||||||||
Ukraine |
12/31/15 | 01/08/16 | 8 | |||||||||
United Arab Emirates |
09/07/16 | 09/15/16 | 8 | |||||||||
09/08/16 | 09/18/16 | 10 |
* | These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible. |
45
March 2015
FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
SSGA 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.
A-1
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.
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.
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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.
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.
SSGA FM has established an engagement protocol that further describes our approach to issuer engagement.
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.
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Proxy Voting Procedure
Oversight
The SSGA FM Corporate Governance Team is responsible for developing and 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.
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 in our Conflict of Interest Policy).
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
See SSGAs standalone Conflicts of Interest Policy.
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.
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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 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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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, Canay Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 28, 2015 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.
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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3430-INST-5405 0315 Exp. Date: 02/29/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
United States
SSGA 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 and SSGAs Conflicts of Interest Policy.
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.
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. |
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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 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); |
| Directors of companies have unilaterally adopted/ amended company by-laws that negatively impact SSGA FMs shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection and exclusion service by-laws) without putting such amendments to a shareholder vote; |
| 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; |
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| 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. |
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, the appointment of and role played by a lead director, 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 unless the company is found to have poor board refreshment and director succession practices and has a preponderance of non-executive directors with excessively long-tenures serving on the board.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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. |
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.
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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; |
| 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, (iii) specify the range of premium/discount to market price at which a company can repurchase shares and, (iv) 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.
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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; |
| 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. |
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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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 31, 2015 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.
SSGA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSGA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSGA. SSGA 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. SSGA FM CTA clients should contact SSGA 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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3439-INST-5436 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Europe
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.s, (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 and SSGAs Conflicts of Interest Policy 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.
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. |
2
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 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.
3
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 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, specify the range of premium/discount to market price at which a company can repurchase shares, 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.
4
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 |
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.
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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.
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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ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 28, 2015 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.
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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3449-INST-5416 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines United Kingdom
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.s, (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 and SSGAs Conflicts of Interest Policy.
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.
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. |
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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. 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.
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.
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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, specify the range of premium/discount to market price at which a company can repurchase shares, 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.
4
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 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.
5
ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 19, 2015 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.
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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3445-INST-5412 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Emerging Markets
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.s (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, and SSGAs Conflicts of Interest Policy.
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.
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
SGA 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. |
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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.
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 Transactions
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 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 |
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| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
SSGA 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 to protect long-term shareholder value from excessive risk due to poor governance and sustainability practices.
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.
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.
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ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 28, 2015 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.
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 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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3510-INST-5434 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Japan
SSGA 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, and SSGAs Conflicts of Interest Policy.
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.
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.
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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. 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.
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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 28, 2015 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.
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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3454-INST-5418 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
March 2015
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Australia
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.s (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, and SSGAs Conflict of Interest Policy.
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.
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 director-ships 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. 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
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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 non-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 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.
3
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 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. |
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
4
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.
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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ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611. Belgium : State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6. T: +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. T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92. Germany : State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy : State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501. Switzerland : State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00. F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350. United States : State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of SSGA Corporate Governance Team through the period ended February 28, 2015 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.
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.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3503-INST-5431 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
February 2015
Managing Conflicts of Interest arising from SSGAs Proxy Voting and Engagement Activities
State Street Corporation has a comprehensive standalone Conflicts of Interest Policy and other policies that address a range of conflicts of interests identified by our parent company. In addition, SSGA maintains a conflicts register that identifies key conflicts and describes systems in place to mitigate the conflicts. This policy is designed to act in conjunction with related policies and practices employed by other groups within the organization. Further, they complement those policies and practices by providing specific guidance on managing the conflicts of interests that may arise through SSGAs proxy voting activities.
Managing Conflicts of Interest Related to Proxy Voting
SSGA has policies and procedures designed to prevent undue influence on SSGAs voting activities that may arise from relationships between proxy issuers or companies and State Street Corporation (STT) SSGA, SSGA affiliates, SSGA Funds or SSGA Fund affiliates.
Protocols designed to help mitigate potential conflicts of interest include:
| Providing sole voting discretion to members of SSGAs Corporate Governance Team. Members of the corporate governance team may from time to time discuss views on proxy voting matters, company performance, strategy etc. with other STT or SSGA employees including portfolio managers, senior executives and relationship managers. However, final voting decisions are made solely by the corporate governance team, in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of all clients, taking into account various perspectives on risks and opportunities with a view of maximizing the value of client assets; |
| Exercising a singular vote decision for each ballot item regardless of SSGAs investment strategy; |
| Prohibiting members of SSGAs corporate governance team from disclosing SSGAs voting decision to any individual not affiliated with the proxy voting process prior to the meeting or date of written consent, as the case may be; |
| Mandatory disclosure by members of the SSGAs Corporate Governance Team, Global Proxy Review Committee (PRC) and Investment Committee (IC) of any personal conflict of interest (e.g., familial relationship with company management) to the Head of the Corporate Governance Team. Members are required to recuse themselves from any engagement or proxy voting activities related to the conflict; |
| In certain instances, client accounts and/or SSGA pooled funds, where SSGA acts as trustee, may hold shares in STT or other SSGA affiliated entities, such as mutual funds affiliated with SSGA Funds Management, Inc. In general, SSGA will outsource any voting decision relating to a shareholder meeting of STT or other SSGA affiliated entities to independent outside third parties. Delegated third parties exercise vote decisions based upon SSGAs in-house policies; and |
| Reporting of voting policy overrides, if any, to the PRC on a quarterly basis. |
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. In circumstances where a conflict has been identified and either: (i) the matter does not fall clearly within the Guidelines; or (ii) SSGA determines that voting in accordance with such policies or guidance is not in the best interests of its clients, the Head of SSGAs 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.
2
ssga.com
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. T: +612 9240 7600. F: +612 9240 7611.
Belgium
: State Street Global Advisors Belgium,
Chausse de La Hulpe 120, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. T: +32 2 663 2036, F: +32 2 672 2077. SSGA 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, T: +514 282 2400 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C
3G6. T: +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.
T: +971 (0)4 4372800. F: +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. T: +33 1 44 45 40 00. F: +33 1 44 45 41 92.
Germany
: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. T: +49 (0)89 55878 100. F: +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. T: +852 2103 0288. F: +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. T: +353 (0)1 776 3000. F: +353 (0)1 776 3300.
Italy
: State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di
Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. T: +39 02 32066 100. F: +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. T: +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.
Netherland
s: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas
Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. T: +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). T: +65 6826 7500. F: +65 6826 7501.
Switzerland
: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich.
T: +41 (0)44 245 70 00.
F: +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. T: +020 3395 6000. F: +020 3395 6350.
United States
: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900. T: +617 664 7727.
The views expressed in this material are the views of Feely, John S through the period ended February 28, 2015 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. 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. 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 not a guarantee of future results.
Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.
Risk associated with equity investing include stock values which may fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions.
Standard & Poors (S&P) S&P Indices are a registered trademark of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC.
© 2015 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ID3455-INST-5419 0315 Exp. Date: 03/31/2016
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. EXHIBITS
(a)(i) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of StreetTracks ® Index Shares Funds (now, SPDR ® Index Shares Funds) (the Trust or the Registrant) dated February 13, 2002, as amended July 1, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on July 1, 2004. | |
(a)(ii) | Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated February 13, 2002, as amended July 1, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on November 6, 2007. | |
(b) | Registrants Amended and Restated By-Laws dated February 13, 2002, as amended August 26, 2015, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 11, 2015. | |
(c) | Not applicable. | |
(d)(i) | Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2004 between the Trust and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on July 1, 2004. | |
(d)(ii) | Revised Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. | |
(d)(iii) | Fee Waiver Letter Agreement, with respect to the SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 11, 2015. | |
(d)(iv) | Fee Waiver Letter Agreement dated June 8, 2015, with respect to the SPDR EURO STOXX 50 Currency Hedged ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015. | |
(d)(v) | Sub-Advisory Agreement dated October 20, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and State Street Global Advisers Asia Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 20, 2015. | |
(e)(i) | Distribution Agreement dated July 1, 2004, between the Trust and State Street Global Markets, LLC, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on July 1, 2004. | |
(e)(ii) | Amended Annex I to the Distribution Agreement between the Trust and State Street Global Markets, LLC, adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. |
(f) | Not applicable. | |
(g)(i) | Custodian Agreement dated August 19, 2002 between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 10, 2002. | |
(g)(ii) | Amendment dated October 14, 2005 to the Custodian Agreement dated August 19, 2002 between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on January 27, 2006. | |
(g)(iii) | Amended Schedule of Series to the Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. | |
(h)(i)(1) | Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between the Trust and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., is filed herewith. | |
(h)(i)(2) | Amended Schedule A to the Administration Agreement between the Trust and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. | |
(h)(ii)(1) | Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is filed herewith. | |
(h)(ii)(2) | Amended Schedule A to the Sub-Administration Agreement between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company, adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. | |
(h)(iii)(1) | Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated August 19, 2002, between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 10, 2002. | |
(h)(iii)(2) | Amended Annex A to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, adding the SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and the SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF, is filed herewith. | |
(h)(iv)(1) | Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated November 28, 2007 between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007. | |
(h)(iv)(2) | Amended Schedule B to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, adding the SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF, SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF, and the SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 17, 2014. | |
(h)(v) | Form of Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on November 24, 2009. |
(i) | Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is filed herewith. |
(j) | Not applicable. |
(k) | Not applicable |
(l) | Form of Purchase Agreement between the Trust and UBS Global Asset Management (US) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 2, 2002. |
(m) | Not applicable |
(n) | Not applicable |
(o) | Reserved |
(p)(i) | Registrants Revised Code of Ethics, as adopted November 15, 2004 and revised February 23, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 10, 2010. |
(p)(ii) | Code of Ethics of SSGA Funds Management, Inc., dated November 10, 2015 (which also applies to applicable reporting personnel of the Distributor), is filed herewith. |
(p)(iii) | Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees, dated November 12, 2015, is filed herewith. |
(q)(i) | Power of Attorney for Ms. Boatman, Ms. Needham, Messrs. Churchill, Kelley, Nesvet, Ross, Verboncoeur and Hallett, dated May 27, 2015, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on June 5, 2015. |
ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the board of trustees of SPDR ® Series Trust, SSGA Master Trust and SSGA Active Trust. In addition, the officers of the Trust are substantially identical to the officers of SPDR Series Trust, SSGA Master Trust and SSGA Active Trust. Additionally, the Trusts investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc., also serves as investment adviser to each series of SPDR Series Trust, SSGA Master Trust and SSGA Active Trust. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that it is not directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with other trusts because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective trusts.
Additionally, see the Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities section of the Statement of Additional Information for a list of shareholders who own more than 5% of a specific funds outstanding shares and such information is incorporated by reference to this Item.
ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and under Section 4.9 of the Registrants By-Laws, the Trust will indemnify any person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him/her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he/she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his/her being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him/her in the settlement thereof, if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions in question did not render him/her liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duties or by reason of reckless disregard of his/her obligations and duties to the Registrant. The Registrant may also advance money for litigation expenses provided that Trustees, officers, employees and/or agents give their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant. Pursuant to paragraph 9 of the Registrants Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Act) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Rule 484 under the Act, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provision of its By-Laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in effect.
The Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him/her and incurred by him/her or arising out of his/her position. However, in no event will the Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him/her.
ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
Any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of each investment adviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (SSGA FM or the Adviser) serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Trust. SSGA FM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. SSGA FM and other advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation make up State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the investment arm of State Street Corporation. The principal address of the Adviser is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. SSGA FM is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Name |
Capacity With Adviser |
Business Name and Address of Other Position | ||
Keith Crawford |
Treasurer | Chief Financial Officer and Global Head of Strategy, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Alyssa Albertelli |
Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Compliance Officer, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
James E. Ross |
Chairman & Director |
Executive Vice President, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Ellen Needham |
President & Director |
Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Phillip Gillespie |
Chief Legal Officer | General Counsel, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Kristi Mitchem |
CTA Chief Marketing Officer |
Executive Vice President, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Barry Smith |
Director | Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA | ||
Ann Carpenter |
Chief Operating Officer |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, MA |
See Management in the Prospectus and Management of the Trust in the Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of SSGA FM. For information regarding broker-dealers and investment advisers affiliated with the Adviser, reference is made to the Advisers Form ADV, as amended, filed with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) | 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, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, SSGA Active Trust and SSGA Funds. |
(b) | The following is a list of the executive officers, directors and partners of State Street Global Markets, LLC (except as noted, none of the persons set forth below holds a position or office with the Trust): |
Nicholas J. Bonn |
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Chairman | |
Howard Fairweather |
Director | |
Stefan Gavell |
Director | |
Christopher P. Jensen |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director | |
Mark Snyder |
Director |
James Ross | Director | |
Peter Williams | Director | |
R. Bryan Woodard | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Director | |
Mark Trabucco | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | |
Melissa McKay | Managing Director and Secretary | |
David MacInnis | Vice President and Compliance Officer | |
John Conway | Vice President, FINOP |
(c) | Not applicable. |
ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and/or State Street Bank and Trust Company, each with offices located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, SPDR ® Index Shares Funds, the Registrant, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunder duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 14 th day of December, 2015.
SPDR ® INDEX SHARES FUNDS | ||
By: | /s/ Ellen M. Needham | |
Ellen M. Needham | ||
President |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
SIGNATURES | TITLE | DATE | ||
/s/ Bonny E. Boatman* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
Bonny E. Boatman | ||||
/s/ Dwight D. Churchill* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
Dwight D. Churchill | ||||
/s/ David M. Kelly* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
David M. Kelly | ||||
/s/ Frank Nesvet* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
Frank Nesvet | ||||
/s/ Carl G. Verboncoeur* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
Carl G. Verboncoeur | ||||
/s/ James E. Ross* |
Trustee |
December 14, 2015 | ||
James E. Ross | ||||
/s/ Ellen M. Needham Ellen M. Needham |
President and Principal Executive Officer |
December 14, 2015 | ||
/s/ Chad C. Hallett Chad C. Hallett |
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
December 14, 2015 |
*By: | /s/ Christopher A. Madden | |
Christopher A. Madden |
||
As Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Power of Attorney |
EXHIBIT LIST
Item 28
(d)(ii) | Revised Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement | |
(e)(ii) | Amended Annex I to the Distribution Agreement | |
(g)(iii) | Amended Schedule of Series to the Custodian Agreement | |
(h)(i)(1) | Administration Agreement | |
(h)(i)(2) | Amended Schedule A to the Administration Agreement | |
(h)(ii)(1) | Sub-Administration Agreement | |
(h)(ii)(2) | Amended Schedule A to the Sub-Administration Agreement | |
(h)(iii)(2) | Amended Annex A to the Transfer Agency Services Agreement | |
(i) | Opinion and Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | |
(p)(ii) | Code of Ethics of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. | |
(p)(iii) | Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees |
EXHIBIT A
As consideration for the Advisers services to each of the following Funds, the Adviser shall receive from each Fund a unitary 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 Funds average daily net assets during the month. The Adviser will pay all of the expenses of each Fund of the Trust except for the advisory fee, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustees counsel fees), acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
Fund |
Annual % of average
daily net assets |
|||
SPDR ® STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF |
0.29 | % | ||
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF |
0.29 | % | ||
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF |
0.59 | % | ||
SPDR S&P ® Global Infrastructure ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF |
0.34 | % | ||
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME Japan ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Russia ETF |
0.59 | % | ||
SPDR S&P China ETF |
0.59 | % | ||
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF |
0.59 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF |
0.34 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF |
0.45 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF |
0.45 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF |
0.65 | % | ||
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF |
0.50 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF |
0.25 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF |
0.50 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF |
0.40 | % |
Fund |
Annual % of average
daily net assets |
|||
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF |
0.49 | % | ||
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF |
0.45 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI EAFE ® Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF |
0.40 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF |
0.30 | % | ||
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 Currency Hedged ETF |
0.32 | % | ||
SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF |
0.48 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF |
0.48 | % | ||
SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF |
0.65 | % | ||
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF |
0.35 | % | ||
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF * |
||||
SPDR S&P Europe ETF * |
||||
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia* |
||||
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P India ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF* |
||||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF* |
||||
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF* |
||||
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF* |
||||
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF* |
||||
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF* |
||||
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF* |
* | The Fund is registered but not operational |
Dated: December 15, 2015
ANNEX I
ETF |
||
SPDR ® STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF | FEU | |
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF | FEZ | |
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF | GMF | |
SPDR S&P Russia ETF | RBL | |
SPDR S&P China ETF | GXC | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF | GMM | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF | GUR | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF | GML | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF | GAF | |
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF | GWL | |
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF | GWX | |
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF | RWX | |
SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF | GII | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF | CWI | |
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME Japan ETF | JPP | |
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan ETF | JSC | |
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF | BIK | |
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF | DWX | |
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF | MDD | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | EWX | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | RWO | |
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF | GNR | |
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF | IPD | |
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF | IPS | |
SPDR S& International Energy Sector ETF | IPW | |
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF | IPF | |
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF | IRY | |
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF | IPN | |
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF | IRV | |
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF | IPK | |
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF | IST | |
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF | IPU | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | EDIV | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF | ACIM | |
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF | EMFT | |
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF | WDIV | |
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF | EMBB | |
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF | SMEZ | |
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF | QEFA | |
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF | QWLD | |
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF | QEMM | |
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF | QAUS | |
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF | QCAN | |
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF | QDEU |
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF | QJPN | |
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF | QESP | |
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF | QGBR | |
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF | QMEX | |
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF | QKOR | |
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF | QTWN | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF | LOWC | |
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 Currency Hedged ETF | HFEZ | |
SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF | HDWX | |
SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF | HREX | |
SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF | XINA | |
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF | NANR | |
Effective With SEC, But Not Operational | ||
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Europe ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF | ||
SPDR S&P India ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF | ||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF | ||
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF | ||
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF | ||
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF | ||
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF | ||
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF |
Dated: December 15, 2015
SCHEDULE OF SERIES PORTFOLIOS OF SPDR ® INDEX SHARES FUNDS
Dated: December 15, 2015
Fund |
SPDR ® STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF SPDR S&P ® Global Infrastructure ETF SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME Japan ETF SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan ETF SPDR S&P Russia ETF SPDR S&P China ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF |
Fund |
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF, SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF, SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF SPDR EURO STOXX 50 Currency Hedged ETF SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF * SPDR S&P Europe ETF * SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF * SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF * SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF * SPDR S&P Ireland ETF * SPDR S&P Brazil ETF * SPDR S&P India ETF * SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF* SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF* SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF* SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF* SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF* SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF* SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF* SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF* |
* | The Fund is registered but not operational |
SPDR
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This Administration Agreement ( Agreement ) dated and effective as of June 1, 2015, is by and between SSGA Funds Management, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the Administrator ), and each of SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, SSGA Active Trust and SSGA Master Trust, each a Massachusetts business trust (together, the Trust ). 1
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company comprised of multiple series (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds ), and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) by means of a registration statement ( Registration Statement ) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act ), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act ); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Trust, and the Administrator is willing to furnish, or cause to be furnished, such services, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | A PPOINTMENT OF A DMINISTRATOR |
The Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to act as administrator to the Trust for purposes of providing the administrative services described herein for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render, or cause to be rendered, such services. The Administrator is authorized to and may employ, associate or contract with such person or persons as the Administrator may deem desirable to assist it in performing its duties under this Agreement; provided, however , that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Administrator and that the Administrator shall be as fully responsible to the Trust for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions.
The Trust currently consists of the Funds as listed in Schedule A to this Agreement. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional Fund(s) with respect to which it wishes to retain the Administrator to act as administrator hereunder, the Trust shall notify the Administrator in writing. Upon written acceptance by the Administrator, such Fund(s) shall become subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the existing Funds, except to the extent that such provisions (including those relating to compensation and expenses payable) may be modified with respect to such Fund(s) in writing by the Trust and the Administrator at the time of the addition of such Fund(s). Each such writing shall be considered an amendment to, and become a part of, this Agreement.
1 | Unless otherwise noted, the singular term Trust used throughout this document means each of SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, SSGA Active Trust and SSGA Master Trust. |
SPDR
2. | D ELIVERY OF D OCUMENTS |
The Trust will promptly deliver to the Administrator copies of each of the following documents and all future amendments and supplements, if any, as applicable:
a. | The Trusts Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the Declaration of Trust ) and By-Laws; |
b. | The Trusts currently effective Registration Statement under the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act and each Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information ( SAI ) relating to the Fund(s) and all amendments and supplements thereto as in effect from time to time; |
c. | Copies of the resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board ) certified by the Trusts Secretary authorizing (1) the Trust to enter into this Agreement and (2) certain individuals on behalf of the Trust to (a) give instructions to the Administrator pursuant to this Agreement and (b) sign checks and pay expenses; |
d. | A copy of the investment advisory agreement between the Trust and its investment adviser; and |
e. | Such other certificates, documents or opinions which the Administrator may, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the proper performance of its duties. |
3. | R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE A DMINISTRATOR |
The Administrator represents and warrants to the Trust that:
a. | It is a Massachusetts corporation, duly organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
b. | It has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
c. | All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
d. | No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Administrators ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and |
e. | Its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Administrator or any law or regulation applicable to it. |
f. | The Administrator has duly adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided hereunder to the Trust and the Funds. |
-2-
SPDR
4. | R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE T RUST |
The Trust represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
a. | It is a business trust, duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
b. | It has the requisite power and authority under applicable laws and by its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
c. | All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
d. | It is an investment company properly registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act; |
e. | The Registration Statement has been filed and will be effective and remain effective during the term of this Agreement. The Trust also warrants to the Administrator that as of the effective date of this Agreement, all necessary filings under the securities laws of the states in which the Trust offers or sells its shares have been made; |
f. | No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Trusts ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; |
g. | Its entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Trust or any law or regulation applicable to it; |
h. | The Trust is authorized to issue unlimited shares of beneficial interest and the Trustees have authorized the establishment of the series of shares listed on Schedule A ; and |
i. |
Where information provided by the Trust or the Trusts investors includes information about an identifiable individual ( Personal Information ), the Trust represents and warrants that it has obtained all consents and approvals, as required by all applicable laws, regulations, by-laws and ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information, necessary to disclose such Personal Information to the Administrator, and as required for the Administrator to use and disclose such Personal Information in connection with the performance of the services hereunder. The Trust acknowledges that the Administrator may perform any of the services, and may use and disclose Personal Information outside of the jurisdiction in which it was initially collected by the Trust, including the United States and that information relating to the Trust, including Personal Information may be accessed by national security authorities, law enforcement and courts. The Administrator shall be kept indemnified by and be without liability to the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance |
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upon this representation and warranty, including without limitation, any liability or costs in connection with claims or complaints for failure to comply with any applicable law that regulates the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information. |
5. | A DMINISTRATION S ERVICES |
The Administrator shall provide, or cause to be provided, the following services, subject to the control, supervision, authorization and direction of the Board and, in each case where appropriate, the review and comment by the Funds independent accountants and outside counsel and in accordance with procedures which may be established from time to time between the Trust and the Administrator:
General Services
a. | Monitor and coordinate the activities of the other service providers of the Funds, including the distributor, investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, sub-administrator, the Funds outside counsel and independent accountants, as well as coordination of the Funds compliance efforts and support for the Trusts chief compliance officer; |
b. | Upon request, report to the Board regarding the activities of each of the service providers; |
c. | Assist the Funds in preparing for and handling regulatory examinations, inquiries and investigations, including working closely with outside counsel to the Funds and counsel to the trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds under the 1940 Act ( Independent Trustees ); |
d. | Provide and maintain office facilities for the Funds (which may be in the offices of the Administrator or an affiliate); |
e. | Cause to be furnished for the Trust a Secretary and one or more Assistant Secretaries as provided by the Trusts By-Laws, if so appointed by the Board, who shall perform corporate secretarial services as provided in the By-Laws, including assisting in the coordination of Board meetings and the preparation and distribution of materials and reports for meetings of the Board, the Independent Trustees and committees of the Board; |
f. | Provide suitable personnel to serve as officers of the Trust as provided by the Trusts By-Laws, if so qualified and appointed by the Board; |
g. | Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, monitor and generally assist in all aspects of the Trusts operations and provide mutually agreed upon reports to the Board and the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve or deprive the Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the Trusts affairs; |
h. | Provide assistance with investor and public relations matters; |
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i. | Prepare responses to major industry questionnaires; |
j. | Perform agreed-upon shareholder servicing and processing functions not assumed by shareholder servicing agents or any other party; |
k. | Prepare reports relating to the business and affairs of the Trust as may be mutually agreed upon and not otherwise prepared by the Trusts investment adviser, custodian, outside counsel or independent accountants. |
l. | Assist the Trust in the development of additional investment portfolios; |
m. | Implement and maintain a disaster recovery program for the Trusts records, and the business continuity plan for the Trust; |
n. | Supervise, negotiate contractual arrangements with (to the extent appropriate) and monitor the performance of, third party accounting agents, custodians, depositories, transfer agent, pricing agents, independent accountants, attorneys, printers, insurers, shareholder servicing and processing agents, banks (for lines of credit) and other persons in any capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable to Trust or Fund operations; |
o. | To the extent relevant to the Trust, perform the Trusts policies and procedures with respect to market timing, anti-money laundering, customer identification, privacy, sales load breakpoints and redemption fees, to the extent these policies and procedures have been adopted and have not been delegated to another service provider of the Trust; |
p. | Otherwise assist the Trust as it may reasonably request in the conduct of each Funds business. |
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administration Services will also include the following duties:
Fund Administration Treasury Services
q. | Monitor and coordinate all aspects of the Funds accounting functions, including, without limitation, as applicable to the operations of the Funds, internal controls over financial reporting, income and expense accruals, accounts receivable and payable, portfolio valuation (including reviewing and reporting on asset valuations), securities lending, interfund lending, Rule 12b-1 and certain servicing payments; |
r. | Prepare, in cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds investment adviser and Fund Counsel where applicable, all necessary financial information that will be included in the Funds semi-annual and annual shareholder reports, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and other of the Funds regulatory filings and quarterly reports to the Trusts Board (as mutually agreed upon by the Board, Counsel to the Independent Trustees, the Fund Counsel or the Funds investment adviser, as appropriate), including tax footnote disclosures where applicable; |
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s. | Coordinate and, subject to the authority of the Trusts Audit Committee, direct the audit of the Funds financial statements, including (subject to the review and approval of the Trusts Audit Committee) the negotiation of engagement letters, preparation of supporting workpapers and other schedules, and (2) make such reports and recommendations to the Board or its Audit Committee concerning the performance of the Funds independent accountants as the Board or the Audit Committee may reasonably request; |
t. | Prepare, in cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds investment adviser and Fund Counsel where applicable, the Funds periodic financial reports required to be filed with the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, and Form N-Q and financial and other information required by Form N-1A and periodic updates thereto, proxy statements and such other reports, forms or filings as set forth herein and as may be mutually agreed upon; |
u. | Prepare for review by an officer of the Trust, the Funds annual expense budgets, perform accrual analyses and rollforward calculations and recommend changes to Fund expense accruals on a periodic basis, review calculations, submit for approval by officers of the Trust and arrange for payment of the Funds expenses, review calculations of fees paid to the Funds investment adviser, custodian, fund accountant, distributor, and transfer agent, and obtain authorization of accrual changes and expense payments; |
v. | Provide periodic post trade testing of the Funds with respect to compliance with the Internal Revenue Codes mandatory qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and limitations for each Fund contained in the Registration Statement for the Funds, including quarterly compliance reporting to the Trusts officers as well as preparation of Board compliance materials; |
w. | Provide total return performance data for each Fund, including such information on an after-tax basis, calculated in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulatory requirements, and as may be reasonably requested by the Trusts management; |
x. | Prepare and disseminate information related to reviews of the Funds service providers, vendor surveys and other related information as reasonably requested; |
y. | Prepare and coordinate the filing of Rule 24f-2 notices, including coordination of payment to the SEC by the Funds; |
z. | Periodically review the Funds internal controls over financial reporting, and conduct periodic meetings of the Trusts Disclosure Controls and Procedures Committee, including the representation of the Administrator in such meetings; |
aa. | Maintain certain books and records of the Funds as required under Rule 31a-1(b) of the 1940 Act and as may be mutually agreed upon; |
bb. | Consult with the Trusts officers, fund accountant, independent accountants and, when necessary or appropriate, Fund Counsel, the custodian, investment adviser and transfer agent in establishing the accounting policies of the Funds; |
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cc. | Assist in the resolution of accounting issues that may arise with respect to each Funds operations and consult with each Funds independent accountants, Fund Counsel and each Funds other agents as necessary in connection therewith; |
dd. | Oversee the determination and publication of the Funds net asset values in accordance with the Funds policy as adopted from time to time by the Board; |
ee. | Provide, or through the Funds other service providers coordinate the provision of, accounting, tax and related technical support to the Funds, including the review and presentation to the Board for approval of securities valuation methods and sources and reporting on the services provided by the Funds custodians portfolio accounting group; |
Fund Administration Legal Services
ff. | Prepare and distribute the agenda and background materials for all Board meetings and the meetings of the Boards committees, attend and make presentations at Board and Board committee meetings where appropriate or requested, prepare minutes for all Board and Board committee meetings; facilitate communications with, and the activities of, the Trusts Independent Trustees and their counsel; facilitate meetings of the Trusts independent chairman; monitor and coordinate the follow-up on matters raised at any Board, Board committee and chairmans meetings; and attend shareholder meetings and prepare minutes of all such meetings; |
gg. | Refer to the Trusts officers or transfer agent, and, as appropriate the Board, any shareholder inquiries relating to the Funds to the extent that the Administrator is the first party to become aware of such inquiries. |
hh. | Coordinate and oversee the vendors providing state securities (blue sky) registration and maintenance and, in connection therewith, perform the services detailed in Schedule B hereto; |
ii. | Compile and maintain the Trusts Trustees and Officers Questionnaires; |
jj. | In cooperation with the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer and investment adviser, prepare and file with the SEC: Form N-CSR; Form N-Q; Form N-PX; and Form N-1A, including all necessary amendments, updates and sticker supplements of the prospectus and statement of additional information for each Fund as well as certain of the Funds other communications with the SEC regarding the Funds regulatory filings; |
kk. | In cooperation with and subject to review by the Trusts investment adviser and Fund Counsel, prepare any necessary proxy statements, file such statements with the SEC and provide consultation on proxy solicitation matters; |
ll. | Assist the Trust in all other required filings of the Funds made with the SEC (such as exemptive applications and no-action letter requests) or any other regulatory entities, including state corporation reports and private letter ruling requests with the IRS; |
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mm. | Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars; |
nn. | Maintain copies of the Trusts Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. |
oo. | Act as liaison to Fund Counsel and counsel to the Independent Trustees; |
pp. | In cooperation with and subject to review by the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer and investment adviser, assist in developing and periodically reviewing the Funds 1940 Act Rule 38a-1 Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual; |
qq. | Maintain continuing awareness of significant emerging regulatory and legislative developments that may affect the Funds, update the Board, Trust officers and the investment adviser on those developments and provide related planning assistance where requested or appropriate; |
rr. | Coordinate the Trusts insurance coverage, including facilitating the solicitation of bids for Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions (D&O/E&O) insurance and fidelity bond coverage, file fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations; |
ss. | Coordinate the quarterly and annual compliance reporting of the Administrator for review by the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; |
tt. | Participate and assist in the preparation and filing of responses to inspections or examinations, where applicable, by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; |
uu. | Coordinate the printing of the prospectus and shareholder financial reports; |
vv. | Coordinate legal guidance on alternative distribution structures for the Funds shares; |
ww. | Review all contracts concerning the acquisition of other investment companies or the liquidation of a Fund; draft, negotiate and file various documentation required in connection therewith; provide guidance on the manner such transactions should be structured to comply with applicable law; and obtain at the Trusts expense legal opinions and regulatory authority rulings necessary for such transactions to comply with applicable law; |
xx. | Prepare and file, or oversee the preparation and filing of, any claims in connection with class actions involving portfolio securities, handle administrative matters in connection with the litigation or settlement of such claims, and prepare reports to the Board regarding such matters; |
yy. | Prepare or oversee the preparation of all press releases and notices to the national securities exchange on which the Funds shares are listed. |
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Fund Administration Tax Services
zz. | Compute tax basis provisions for both excise and income tax purposes; |
aaa. | Prepare initial federal, state and local income tax returns for the Funds and direct, assist and coordinate the review of the Funds federal, state, and local income tax returns and any required extension requests by the Funds independent accountants, as paid tax preparers, and execution and filing by the Trusts treasurer, including Form 1120-RIC, Form 8613 and Forms 1099; |
bbb. | Coordinate Form 1099 mailings; |
ccc. | Review and approve periodic income distribution calculations, including estimates, and annual minimum distribution calculations (income and capital gain) prior to their declaration; and |
ddd. | Provide consultation, as needed or requested, to the Trusts officers and the adviser supporting tax elections and policies of the Funds. |
The Administrator shall perform such other services for the Funds for which the Trust will pay such fees, including the Administrators reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Board and Administrator from time to time. The provision of such services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
6. | F EES ; E XPENSES ; E XPENSE R EIMBURSEMENT |
The Administrator shall receive from the Trust such compensation for the Administrators services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written Fee Schedule approved by the parties. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. In addition, the Trust shall reimburse the Administrator for its out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with this Agreement. All rights of compensation and expense reimbursement under this Agreement for services performed as of the termination date shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
The Trust agrees promptly to reimburse the Administrator for any equipment and supplies specially ordered by or for the Trust through the Administrator and for any other expenses not contemplated by this Agreement that the Administrator may incur on the Trusts behalf at the Trusts request or with the Trusts consent.
The Trust will bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation and not specifically assumed by the Administrator or another party. Expenses to be borne by the Trust include, but are not limited to: organizational expenses; cost of services of independent accountants and Fund Counsel (including such counsels review of the Registration Statement, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-SAR, proxy materials, federal and state tax qualification as a regulated investment company and other notices, registrations, reports, filings and materials prepared by the Administrator under this Agreement); cost of any services contracted for by the Trust directly from parties other than the Administrator; cost of trading operations and brokerage fees,
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commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Trust; investment advisory fees; taxes, insurance premiums and other fees and expenses applicable to its operation; costs incidental to any meetings of shareholders including, but not limited to, legal and accounting fees, proxy filing fees and the costs of preparation ( e.g. , typesetting, XBRL-tagging, page changes and all other print vendor and EDGAR charges, collectively referred to herein as Preparation ), printing, distribution and mailing of any proxy materials; costs incidental to Board meetings, including fees of Independent Trustees and expenses of Board members; the salary and expenses of any officer or Trustee of the Trust; costs of Preparation, printing, distribution and mailing, as applicable, of the Trusts Registration Statements and any amendments and supplements thereto and shareholder reports; cost of Preparation and filing of the Trusts tax returns, Form N-1A, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-SAR and all notices, registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities laws; all applicable registration fees and filing fees required under federal and state securities laws; the cost of fidelity bond and D&O/E&O liability insurance; and the cost of independent pricing services used in computing the Funds net asset value.
7. | I NSTRUCTIONS AND A DVICE |
At any time, the Administrator may apply to any officer of the Trust or his or her designee for instructions and may consult with the independent accountants for the Trust at the expense of the Trust, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Administrator under this Agreement.
The Administrator shall not be liable, and shall be indemnified by the Trust, for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon any such instructions or advice or upon any paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Trust. Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing upon the Administrator any obligation to seek such instructions or advice, or to act in accordance with such advice when received.
8. | L IMITATION OF L IABILITY AND I NDEMNIFICATION |
The Administrator shall be responsible for the performance only of such duties as are set forth in this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided under Section 1, shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party, including other service providers. The Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties hereunder unless such loss or damage arises directly from, and then only to the extent of, the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrator, or any subcontractor engaged by the Administrator to provide services hereunder, and their respective officers and employees. The Administrator shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys fees) under any provision of this Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder, each of which is hereby excluded by agreement of the parties regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable or whether either party or any entity had been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, the Administrators cumulative liability for each calendar year (a Liability Period ) with respect to the Trust under this Agreement regardless of the form of action or legal theory shall be limited to
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its total annual compensation earned and fees payable hereunder during the preceding Compensation Period, as defined herein, for any liability or loss suffered by the Trust including, but not limited to, any liability relating to qualification of the Trust as a regulated investment company or any liability relating to the Trusts compliance with any federal or state tax or securities statute, regulation or ruling during such Liability Period. Compensation Period shall mean the calendar year ending immediately prior to each Liability Period in which the event(s) giving rise to the Administrators liability for that period have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Period for purposes of calculating the annual cumulative liability of the Administrator for the Liability Period commencing on the date of this Agreement and terminating on May 31, 2016 shall be the date of this Agreement through May 31, 2016 calculated on an annualized basis.
The Administrator shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including without limitation, work stoppage, power or other mechanical failure, computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action or communication disruption.
The Trust shall indemnify and hold the Administrator and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Administrators acceptance of this Agreement, any action or omission by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Trust or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Trust or its investment adviser, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of the Administrator, or any subcontractor engaged by the Administrator to provide services hereunder, or to their respective officers or employees in cases of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The limitation of liability and indemnification contained herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
9. | C ONFIDENTIALITY |
All information provided under this agreement by a party (the Disclosing Party ) to the other party (the Receiving Party ) regarding the Disclosing Partys business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 17 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Partys other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its Affiliates (as defined in Section 17 below), including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management.
The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required
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by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Administrator or its Affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement) or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The undertakings and obligations contained in this Section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years.
10. | C OMPLIANCE WITH G OVERNMENTAL R ULES AND R EGULATIONS ; R ECORDS |
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust shall at all times remain the property of the Trust, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request except as otherwise provided in Section 12. The Administrator further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Trust pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records may be surrendered in either written or machine-readable form, at the option of the Administrator.
11. | S ERVICES N OT E XCLUSIVE |
The services of the Administrator are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Administrator shall be free to render similar services to others. The Administrator shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or authorized by the Trust from time to time, have no authority to act or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.
12. | E FFECTIVE P ERIOD AND T ERMINATION |
The Agreement shall commence on June 1, 2015 and shall continue for an initial term until May 31, 2016 (the Initial Term), and thereafter shall automatically continue for successive one year periods (each a Renewal Term ); provided however, that at any time during the Initial Term or any Renewal Term either party may terminate the Agreement on sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any Fund shall in no way affect the continued validity of this Agreement with respect to the Trust or any other Fund. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph with respect to the Trust or any Fund, the Trust or applicable Fund shall pay Administrator its compensation due for services rendered prior to the termination date, and shall reimburse Administrator for its costs, expenses and disbursements with respect to services rendered prior to the termination date. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Administrator will deliver the Trusts or such Funds records as set forth herein.
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13. | N OTICES |
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by confirmed facsimile, by overnight delivery through a commercial courier service, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other):
If to the Trust:
SPDR Series Trust / SPDR Index Shares Funds / SSGA Master Trust / SSGA Active Trust
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Attn: Ellen Needham, President
Facsimile: 617-664-4011
If to the Administrator:
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Attn: Ann Carpenter, Chief Operating Officer
Facsimile: 617-664-4011
14. | A MENDMENT |
This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto.
15. | A SSIGNMENT |
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior consent in writing of the other party, except that the Administrator may assign this Agreement to an affiliate that is the successor to all or a substantial portion of its business.
16. | S UCCESSORS |
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Trust and the Administrator and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
17. | D ATA P ROTECTION |
a. |
The Administrator shall implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Trusts shareholders, Trustees and/or officers that the Administrator receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, personal information shall mean (i) an individuals name (first initial |
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and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a persons account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individuals account. Notwithstanding the foregoing personal information shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public. |
b. | In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Administrator (which term for purposes of this Section 17 includes each of its parent company, branches and affiliates ( Affiliates )) may collect and store information regarding the Trust or Fund(s) and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Administrator or any of its Affiliates and the Trust and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. |
c. | Subject to paragraph (d) below, the Administrator and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information ( Data ) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Trust and the Administrator or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Trust/Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data; provided that, unless the Trust and the Administrator otherwise consents, Data is combined or aggregated with information relating to (i) other customers of the Administrator and/or its Affiliates or (ii) information derived from other sources, in each case such that any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Trust/Fund. The Trust agrees that Administrator and /or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Administrators compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Administrator and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose, except to the Board for purposes of Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act, the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Administrator or the Trust/Fund. |
d. | Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 17 shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Administrator and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Administrator shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 17 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement. |
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18. | E NTIRE A GREEMENT |
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous representations, warranties or commitments regarding the services to be performed hereunder whether oral or in writing.
19. | W AIVER |
The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.
20. | S EVERABILITY |
If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the balance of the Agreement shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
21. | G OVERNING L AW |
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions.
22. | R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS |
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, xerographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
23. | C OUNTERPARTS |
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on multiple counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
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24. | L IMITATION OF L IABILITY OF THE T RUSTEES AND S HAREHOLDERS |
The Declaration of Trust, establishing the Trust, which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the Trust means the Trustees from time to time serving (as Trustees but not personally) under such Declaration of Trust. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in its Declaration of Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been authorized by the Trustees of the Trust and signed by an officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first written above.
SPDR SERIES TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
SPDR INDEX SHARES FUNDS | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
SSGA MASTER TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
SSGA ACTIVE TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|
Name: | Ellen M. Needham | |
Title: | President |
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Funds
SPDR Index Shares Funds
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Russia ETF
SPDR S&P China ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME TM Japan ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap TM Japan ETF
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF
B-1
SPDR
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF
SPDR S&P India ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Series Trust
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR Russell 3000 ETF
SPDR Russell 1000 ETF
SPDR Russell 2000 ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Value ETF
SPDR Russell Small Cap Completeness ETF
SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Value ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF
SPDR Global Dow ETF
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SPDR
SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF
SPDR S&P Bank ETF
SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Insurance ETF
SPDR S&P Regional Banking SM ETF
SPDR Morgan Stanley Technology ETF
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF
SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF
SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF
SPDR S&P Retail ETF
SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF
SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF
SPDR S&P Telecom ETF
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Momentum Tilt ETF
SPDR Russell 1000 Low Volatility ETF
SPDR Russell 2000 Low Volatility ETF
SPDR Wells Fargo Preferred Stock ETF
SPDR Barclays 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays 0-5 Year TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Intermediate Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Long Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Issuer Scored Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Convertible Securities ETF
SPDR Barclays Mortgage Backed Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Aggregate Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays California Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays New York Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Build America Bond ETF
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SPDR
SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF
SPDR BofA Merrill Lynch Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR BofA Merrill Lynch Crossover Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Buyback ETF
SPDR MSCI USA Quality Mix ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Building & Construction ETF
SPDR S&P Computer Hardware ETF
SPDR S&P Food & Beverage ETF
SPDR S&P LeisureTime ETF
SPDR S&P Outsourcing & IT Consulting ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Volatility Tilt ETF
SPDR S&P Commercial Paper ETF
SPDR S&P Agency Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Industrial Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Financial Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Utility Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Zero Coupon Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays CMBS ETF
SPDR Barclays Global Convertible Securities ETF
SPDR Barclays Breakeven Inflation ETF
SPDR S&P Commercial Paper ex-Financials ETF
SPDR Barclays Floating Rate Treasury ETF
SSGA Active Trust
OPERATIONAL ETFS AND PORTFOLIOS
SPDR SSGA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF
SPDR SSGA Income Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Global Allocation ETF
SPDR Blackstone/GSO Senior Loan ETF
SPDR SSGA Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Core Equity ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Growth Equity ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Value Equity ETF
SPDR SSGA Risk Aware ETF
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SPDR
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio
SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR SSGA Conservative Global Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Aggressive Global Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Conservative Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR SSGA Aggressive Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR SSGA Large Cap Risk Aware ETF
SPDR SSGA Small Cap Risk Aware ETF
SPDR SSGA US Minimum Volatility ETF
SPDR SSGA Global Managed Volatility ETF (formerly, SPDR SSgA Global Minimum Volatility ETF)
SPDR SSGA Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF
SSGA Funds
SSGA U.S. Government Money Fund*
SSGA Money Market Fund*
SSGA High Yield Bond Fund*
SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund*
SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund*
SSGA Emerging Markets Fund*
SSGA International Stock Selection Fund*
SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund*
SSGA U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund*
SSGA Prime Money Market Fund*
SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund*
SSGA Master Trust
OPERATIONAL PORTFOLIOS
SSGA Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio
SSGA Income Allocation Portfolio
SSGA Global Allocation Portfolio
Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan Portfolio
SSGA Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Core Equity Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Growth Equity Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Value Equity Portfolio
State Street Risk Aware Portfolio
State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical Portfolio
SHELF PORTFOLIOS
SSGA Conservative Global Allocation Portfolio
SSGA Aggressive Global Allocation Portfolio
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SPDR
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund*
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund*
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund*
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund*
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund*
State Street Strategic Real Return 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 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 Global Managed Volatility Fund*
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Equity Fund
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund*
State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund*
State Street Green Bond Fund
State Street ESG Emerging Markets Fund*
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund*
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index*
State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund
State Street Income Allocation Fund
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund
State Street Global Allocation Fund
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund
State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio
State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund
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SPDR
State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio
State Street Cash Reserves Fund
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund
State Street Current Yield Portfolio
State Street Current Yield Fund
State Street Conservative Income Portfolio
State Street Conservative Income Fund
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund
State Street Master Funds
State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio
State Street Money Market Portfolio
State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio
State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio
State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio
State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending TIAA-CREF Short Term Lending Portfolio State Street Navigator Securities Lending MET Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Short-Term Bond Portfolio
*Receiving blue sky services pursuant to Section 5(cc).
As of June 1, 2015
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SPDR
SCHEDULE B
Notice Filing with State Securities Administrators
At the specific direction of the Trust, the Administrator will prepare required documentation and make Notice Filings in accordance with the securities laws of each jurisdiction in which Fund shares are to be offered or sold pursuant to instructions given to the Administrator by the Trust.
The Trust shall be solely responsible for the determination of (i) those jurisdictions in which Notice Filings are to be submitted and (ii) the number of Trust shares to be permitted to be sold in each such jurisdiction. In the event that the Administrator becomes aware of (a) the sale of Fund shares in a jurisdiction in which no Notice Filing has been made or (b) the sale of Fund shares in excess of the number of Fund shares permitted to be sold in such jurisdiction, the Administrator shall report such information to the Trust, and it shall be the Trusts responsibility to determine appropriate corrective action and instruct the Administrator with respect thereto.
The Blue Sky services shall consist of the following:
1. | Filing of Trusts Initial Notice Filings, as directed by the Trust; |
2. | Filing of Trusts renewals and amendments as required; |
3. | Filing of amendments to the Trusts registration statement where required; |
4. | Filing Trust sales reports where required; |
5. | Payment at the expense of the Trust of all Trust Notice Filing fees; |
6. | Filing the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and any amendments or supplements thereto where required; |
7. | Filing of annual reports and proxy statements where required; and |
8. | The performance of such additional services as the Administrator and the Trust may agree upon in writing. |
Unless otherwise specified in writing by the Administrator, Blue Sky services by the Administrator shall not include determining the availability of exemptions under a jurisdictions blue sky law or ensuring the proper application of any such exemptions. Any such determinations shall be made by the Trust or its legal counsel.
If the Trust has elected to deliver Fund share sales information to the Administrator via broker-dealer feeds, the Administrators processing of any such feeds is subject to the supervision and approval of the Trust and the following shall apply.
1. | Activation of any broker-dealer feeds, including transfer agent codes or broker codes, will commence as soon as practical after written instructions are received from the Trust. The Administrator will assume all sales from such feeds are Blue Sky reportable. |
2. | The Administrator will accept and pay Blue Sky fees based on all active and live direct broker-dealer feeds, as instructed by the Trust in writing. |
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SPDR
3. | The originating entity, and not the Administrator, is responsible for the accuracy of all broker-dealer feed information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator will not be responsible for (i) reconciling any direct broker-dealer feeds with the Trusts accounting records, (ii) ensuring that omnibus suppressions are effected, (iii) the accuracy of any files transmitted from the transfer agent or broker-dealer systems or (iv) errors or omissions in sales data. The Administrator will not alter or otherwise manipulate or change the contents of any transfer agent or broker-dealer files routed to the Administrator. |
4. | The Trust will be responsible for ensuring that any direct broker-dealer feeds are deactivated from the main omnibus feed at the Trusts transfer agent as appropriate. The Trust acknowledges that all dropped and dead transfer agent or broker-dealer feeds will automatically be deactivated. |
In connection with the services described herein, the Trust shall issue in favor of the Administrator a power of attorney to submit Notice Filings on behalf of the Trust, which power of attorney shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.
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EXHIBIT 1
LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, as of that each of SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, SSGA Master Trust and SSGA Active Trust (the Trust ) on behalf of its currently existing series and all future series (the Funds ), with principal offices at , makes, constitutes, and appoints SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. (the Administrator ) with principal offices at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts its lawful attorney-in-fact for it to do as if it were itself acting, the following:
1. NOTICE FILINGS FOR FUND SHARES. The power to submit (in any format accepted) notice filings for the Funds in each jurisdiction in which the Funds shares are offered or sold and in connection therewith the power to prepare, execute, and deliver and file (in any format accepted) any and all of the Funds applications including without limitation, applications to provide notice for the Funds shares, consents, including consents to service of process, reports, including without limitation, all periodic reports, or other documents and instruments now or hereafter required or appropriate in the judgment of the Administrator in connection with the notice filings of the Funds shares.
2. TRANSMIT FILING FEES. The power to draw, endorse, and deposit checks and/or transmit electronic payments in the name of the Funds in connection with the notice filings of the Funds shares with state securities administrators.
3. AUTHORIZED SIGNERS. Pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney, individuals holding the titles of Officer, Blue Sky Manager or Senior Blue Sky Administrator at the Administrator shall have authority to act on behalf of the Funds with respect to items 1 and 2 above.
The execution of this limited power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be revocable only upon receipt by the Administrator of such termination of authority. Nothing herein shall be construed to constitute the appointment of the Administrator as or otherwise authorize the Administrator to act as an officer, director or employee of the Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by and through its duly authorized officer, as of the date first written above.
SPDR SERIES TRUST | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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SPDR INDEX SHARES FUNDS | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Exh-1
SSGA MASTER TRUST | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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SSGA ACTIVE TRUST | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of 20 |
Notary Public |
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State of |
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In and for the County of |
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My Commission expires |
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Exh-2
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Funds
SPDR Index Shares Funds
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Russia ETF
SPDR S&P China ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIMETM Japan ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Japan ETF
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF
SPDR S&P India ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF
[REDACTED]
As of December 15, 2015
Execution copy
MASTER SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
This Master Sub-Administration Agreement (Agreement) dated and effective as of June 1, 2015, is by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the Sub-Administrator), and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the Administrator).
WHEREAS, each of the entities listed on Schedule A attached hereto (each, a Trust) is an open-end management investment company comprised of multiple series (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds), and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by means of a registration statement (Registration Statement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as applicable;
WHEREAS, each Trust has retained the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Trust and/or Funds; and
WHEREAS, the Administrator desires to retain the Sub-Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Trust and/or Funds, and the Sub-Administrator is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | A PPOINTMENT OF S UB -A DMINISTRATOR |
The Administrator hereby appoints the Sub-Administrator to act as administrator to the Trust for purposes of providing the administrative services described herein for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render such services.
Each Trust currently consists of the Funds and their respective classes of shares, as applicable, as listed in Schedule A to this Agreement. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional Funds with respect to which the Administrator wishes to retain the Sub-Administrator to act as administrator hereunder, the Administrator shall notify the Sub-Administrator in writing. Upon written acceptance by the Sub-Administrator, such Fund(s) shall become subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the existing Funds, except to the extent that such provisions (including those relating to compensation and expenses payable) may be modified with respect to such Fund in writing by the Administrator and the Sub-Administrator at the time of the addition of such Fund. Each such writing shall be considered an amendment to, and become a part of, this Agreement.
2. | D ELIVERY OF D OCUMENTS |
With respect to each Trust, the Administrator will promptly deliver to the Sub-Administrator copies of each of the following documents and all future amendments and supplements, if any:
a. | The Trusts Declaration of Trust or Master Trust Agreement (the Declaration of Trust) and By-laws, each as amended; |
b. | The Trusts currently effective Registration Statement under the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act and each Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and Confidential Offering Memorandum, as applicable, relating to the Funds and all amendments and supplements thereto as in effect from time to time; |
c. | Copies of a Clerks certification certifying to (1) the authority of the Administrator to enter into this Agreement; and (2) the identity of certain individuals on behalf of the Administrator to (a) give instructions to the Sub-Administrator pursuant to this Agreement and (b) sign checks and pay expenses; |
d. | A copy of the Administration Agreement and any other service agreements between the Trust and the Administrator; and |
e. | Such other certificates, documents or opinions which the Sub-Administrator may, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the proper performance of its duties. |
3. | R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE S UB -A DMINISTRATOR |
The Sub-Administrator represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
a. | It is a Massachusetts trust company, duly organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
b. | It has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
c. | All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
d. | No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would materially impair the Sub-Administrators ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; |
e. | Its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Sub-Administrator or any law or regulation applicable to it; and |
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f. | The Sub-Administrator has duly adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) with respect to the services provided hereunder in respect of the Trust and the Funds. |
4. | R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE A DMINISTRATOR |
The Administrator represents and warrants to the Sub-Administrator that:
a. | It is a corporation, duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts; |
b. | It has the requisite power and authority under applicable laws and by its organizational documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
c. | All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; |
d. | No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Administrators ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; |
e. | Its entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Administrator or any law or regulation applicable to it; |
f. | Where information provided by the Administrator, the Trust or the Trusts investors includes information about an identifiable individual (Personal Information), the Administrator represents and warrants that it has obtained all consents and approvals, as required by all applicable laws, regulations, by-laws and ordinances that regulate the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information, necessary to disclose such Personal Information to the Sub-Administrator, and as required for the Sub-Administrator to use and disclose such Personal Information in connection with the performance of the services hereunder. The Administrator acknowledges that the Sub-Administrator may perform any of the services, and may use and disclose Personal Information outside of the jurisdiction in which it was initially collected by the Administrator or the Trust, including the United States and that information relating to the Trust, including Personal Information may be accessed by national security authorities, law enforcement and courts. The Sub-Administrator shall be kept indemnified by the Administrator and be without liability to the Administrator or the Trust for any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon this representation and warranty, including without limitation, any liability or costs in connection with claims or complaints for failure to comply with any applicable law that regulates the collection, processing, use or disclosure of Personal Information. |
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g. | With respect to the Trust, the Sub-Administrator is not responsible for ensuring that: |
(1) | The Trust is a business trust duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its formation; |
(2) | The Trust is an investment company properly registered under the 1940 Act; |
(3) | The registration statement under the 1933 Act and 1940 Act has been filed by the Trust and is effective and will remain in effect during the term of this Agreement; |
(4) | As of the effective date of this Agreement, all necessary filings under the securities laws of the states in which the Trust offers or sells its shares have been made; and |
(5) | As of the close of business on the date of this Agreement, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest. |
5. | S UB -A DMINISTRATION S ERVICES |
The Sub-Administrator shall provide the following services, subject to the control, supervision, authorization and direction of the Administrator, the Trust or the Fund and, in each case where appropriate, the review and comment by the Administrators or the Trusts auditors and legal counsel and in accordance with procedures which may be established from time to time between the Administrator and the Sub-Administrator:
General Services
a. | Assist the Funds in preparing for and handling regulatory examinations, inquiries and investigations, including working closely with counsel to the Funds and counsel to the trustees that are not interested persons of the Funds under the 1940 Act (Independent Trustees); |
b. | Provide and maintain office facilities for the Funds (which may be in the offices of the Sub-Administrator or an affiliate); |
c. | Furnish for the Trust a Secretary and one or more Assistant Secretaries as provided by the Funds Bylaws, if so appointed by the Board, who shall perform corporate secretarial services as provided in the Bylaws, including assisting in the coordination of Board meetings and the preparation and distribution of materials and reports for meetings of the Board, the Independent Trustees and committees of the Board of Trustees of the Board (the Board); |
-4-
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Sub-Administration Services will also include the following duties:
Fund Administration Treasury Services
d. | Monitor and coordinate all aspects of the Funds accounting functions, including, without limitation, as applicable internal controls over financial reporting, income and expense accruals, accounts receivable and payable, portfolio valuation (including monitoring compliance with Rule 2a-7 as well as reviewing and reporting on asset valuations), securities lending, interfund lending, Rule 12b-1 and certain servicing payments and the Independent Trustees deferred compensation plan; |
e. | Prepare, in cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds investment adviser and Fund counsel where applicable, all necessary financial information that will be included in the Funds semi-annual and annual shareholder reports, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q and other of the Funds regulatory filings and quarterly reports to the Funds Board (as mutually agreed upon by the Board, Counsel to the Independent Trustees, the Funds Counsel or the Funds investment adviser, as appropriate), including tax footnote disclosures where applicable; |
f. | Prepare, in cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds investment adviser and Fund counsel where applicable, the Funds periodic financial reports required to be filed with the SEC on Forms N-SAR and N-CSR and financial information required by Form N-1A and periodic updates thereto, proxy statements and such other reports, forms or filings as set forth in section (y) hereto and as may be mutually agreed upon; |
g. | Prepare for review by an officer of the Funds, the Funds annual fund expense budgets, perform accrual analyses and rollforward calculations and recommend changes to fund expense accruals on a periodic basis, review calculations, submit for approval by officers of the Funds and arrange for payment of the Funds expenses, review calculations of fees paid to the Funds investment adviser, custodian, fund accountant, distributor, and transfer agent, and obtain authorization of accrual changes and expense payments; |
h. | Provide periodic post trade testing of the Funds with respect to compliance with the Internal Revenue Codes mandatory qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and limitations for each Fund contained in the Registration Statement for the Funds, including quarterly compliance reporting to the Funds officers as well as preparation of Board compliance materials; |
i. | Provide total return performance data for each Fund, including such information on an after-tax basis, calculated in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulatory requirement, and as may be reasonably requested by the Funds management; |
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j. | Prepare and coordinate the filing of Rule 24f-2 notices, including coordination of payment to the SEC by the Funds; |
k. | Maintain certain books and records of the Funds as required under Rule 31a-1(b) of the 1940 Act and as may be mutually agreed upon; |
Fund Administration Money Market Fund Services
The following services enumerated as l., m. and n. below are applicable to those Funds which are money market funds under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act:
l. | Prepare for posting on the Funds website each money market funds monthly schedule of portfolio investments; |
m. | Prepare and coordinate each money market funds monthly filing of Form N-MFP; |
n. | Prepare and coordinate each money market funds filing of Form N-CR pursuant to language to be agreed upon between the parties in an amendment to this Agreement no later than the effective date of Form N-CR. |
Fund Administration Legal Services
o. | Prepare and distribute the agenda and background materials for all Board meetings and the meetings of the Boards committees, attend and make presentations at Board and Board committee meetings where appropriate or requested, prepare minutes for all Board and Board committee meetings; facilitate communications with, and the activities of, the Funds Independent Trustees and their Counsel; facilitate meetings of the Funds independent chairman, monitor and coordinate the follow-up on matters raised at any Board, Board committee and chairmans meetings; and attend shareholder meetings and prepare minutes of all such meetings; |
p. | Refer to the Funds officers or transfer agent, and, as appropriate the Board, any shareholder inquiries relating to the Funds to the extent that the Sub-Administrator is the first party to become aware of such inquiries. |
q. | Compile and maintain the Funds Trustees and Officers Questionnaires; |
r. | In cooperation with the Funds Chief Compliance Officer and investment adviser, prepare and file with the SEC: Form N-CSR; Form N-Q; Form N-PX; and Form N-1A, including all necessary amendments, updates and sticker supplements of the prospectus and statement of additional information for each Fund as well as certain of the Funds other communications with the SEC regarding the Funds regulatory filings; |
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s. | In cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds investment adviser, prepare any necessary proxy statements, file such statements with the SEC and provide consultation on proxy solicitation matters; |
t. | Assist the Funds in all other required filings of the Funds made with the SEC (such as exemptive applications and no-action letter requests) or any other regulatory entities, including state corporation reports and private letter ruling requests with the IRS; |
u. | Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars; |
v. | Act as liaison to counsel to the Funds and counsel to the Independent Trustees; |
w. | In cooperation with and subject to review by the Funds Chief Compliance Officer and investment adviser, assist in developing and periodically reviewing the Funds 1940 Act Rule 38a-1 Compliance Policies and Procedures Manual; |
x. | Maintain continuing awareness of significant emerging regulatory and legislative developments that may affect the Funds, update the Board, Fund officers and the investment adviser or sub-adviser on those developments and provide related planning assistance where requested or appropriate; |
y. | Coordinate the Funds insurance coverage, including facilitating the solicitation of bids for Directors & Officers/Errors & Omissions (D&O/E&O) insurance and fidelity bond coverage, file fidelity bonds with the SEC and make related Board presentations; |
z. | Coordinate the quarterly and annual compliance reporting of the Sub-Administrator for review by the Funds Chief Compliance Officer; |
aa. | Participate and assist in the preparation and filing of responses to inspections or examinations, where applicable, by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; |
bb. | Coordinate the printing of the prospectus and shareholder financial reports; |
cc. | With respect to the Funds so designated on Schedule A, coordinate and oversee the vendors providing state securities (blue sky) registration and maintenance and, in connection therewith, perform the services detailed in Schedule B hereto, as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time; |
Fund Administration Tax Services
dd. | Compute tax basis provisions for both excise and income tax purposes; |
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ee. | Prepare initial federal, state and local income tax returns for the Funds and direct, assist and coordinate the review of the Funds federal, state, and local income tax returns and any required extension requests by the Funds independent accountants, as paid tax preparers, and execution and filing by the Funds treasurer, including Form 1120-RIC, Form 8613 and Forms 1099; |
ff. | Coordinate Form 1099 mailings; and |
gg. | Review and approve periodic income distribution calculations, including estimates, and annual minimum distribution calculations (income and capital gain) prior to their declaration. |
The Sub-Administrator shall perform such other services for the Administrator for which the Administrator will pay such fees, including the Sub-Administrators reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as may be mutually agreed upon by the Administrator and Sub-Administrator from time to time. The provision of such services shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
6. | F EES ; E XPENSES ; E XPENSE R EIMBURSEMENT |
The Sub-Administrator shall receive such compensation for the Sub-Administrators services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written Fee Schedule approved by the parties. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. In addition, the Sub-Administrator shall be reimbursed for its out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with this Agreement and agreed to from time to time in a written Fee Schedule approved by the parties. All rights of compensation and expense reimbursement under this Agreement for services performed as of the termination date shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
The Administrator agrees promptly to reimburse the Sub-Administrator for any equipment and supplies specially ordered by or for the Trust through the Sub-Administrator and for any other expenses not contemplated by this Agreement that the Sub-Administrator may incur on the Administrators or Trusts behalf at the Administrators or Trusts request or with the Administrators or Trusts consent.
The Administrator and/or the Trust, as the case may be, will bear all expenses that are incurred in the operation of the Trust and not specifically assumed by the Sub-Administrator. Trust expenses not assumed by the Sub-Administrator include, but are not limited to: organizational expenses; cost of services of independent accountants and outside legal and tax counsel (including such counsels review of the Registration Statement, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-MFP, Form N-SAR, proxy materials, federal and state tax qualification as a regulated investment company and other notices, registrations, reports, filings and materials prepared by the Sub-Administrator under this Agreement); cost of any services contracted for by
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the Trust directly from parties other than the Sub-Administrator; cost of trading operations and brokerage fees, commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Trust; investment advisory fees; taxes, insurance premiums and other fees and expenses applicable to its operation; costs incidental to any meetings of shareholders including, but not limited to, legal and accounting fees, proxy filing fees and the costs of preparation (e.g., typesetting, XBRL-tagging, page changes and all other print vendor and EDGAR charges, collectively referred to herein as Preparation), printing, distribution and mailing of any proxy materials; costs incidental to Board meetings, including fees and expenses of Board members; the salary and expenses of any officer, director\trustee or employee of the Trust; costs of Preparation, printing, distribution and mailing, as applicable, of the Trusts Registration Statements and any amendments and supplements thereto and shareholder reports; cost of Preparation and filing of the Trusts tax returns, Form N-1A, Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-PX, Form N-MFP and Form N-SAR, and all notices, registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities laws; all applicable registration fees and filing fees required under federal and state securities laws; the cost of fidelity bond and D&O/E&O liability insurance; and the cost of independent pricing services used in computing the Fund(s) net asset value.
The Sub-Administrator is authorized to and may employ, associate or contract with such person or persons as the Sub-Administrator may deem desirable to assist it in performing its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Sub-Administrator and that the Sub-Administrator shall be as fully responsible to the Administrator for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions.
7. | I NSTRUCTIONS AND A DVICE |
At any time, the Sub-Administrator may apply to any officer of the Administrator or his or her designee for instructions and may consult with the independent accountants for the Administrator or the Trust at the expense of the Administrator, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Sub-Administrator under this Agreement.
The Sub-Administrator shall not be liable, and shall be indemnified by the Administrator, for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon any such instructions or advice or upon any paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons. The Sub-Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund(s). Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing upon the Sub-Administrator any obligation to seek such instructions or advice, or to act in accordance with such advice when received.
8. | L IMITATION OF L IABILITY AND I NDEMNIFICATION |
The Sub-Administrator shall be responsible for the performance only of such duties as are set forth in this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided under Section 6, shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party, including other service providers. The Sub-Administrator shall have no liability in respect of any loss, damage or expense suffered by the Administrator insofar as such loss, damage or expense arises from the performance of the Sub-
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Administrators duties hereunder in reliance upon records that were maintained for the Administrator or the Trust by entities other than the Sub-Administrator prior to the Sub-Administrators appointment as administrator for the Administrator. The Sub-Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties hereunder unless such loss or damage arises directly from, and then only to the extent of, the negligence or willful misconduct of the Sub-Administrator, its officers or employees. The Sub-Administrator shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including lost profits, of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys fees) under any provision of this Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder, each of which is hereby excluded by agreement of the parties regardless of whether such damages were foreseeable or whether either party or any entity had been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any event, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, the Sub-Administrators cumulative liability for each calendar year (a Liability Period) with respect to the services performed under this Agreement regardless of the form of action or legal theory shall be limited to its total annual compensation earned and fees payable hereunder during the preceding Compensation Period, as defined herein, for any liability or loss suffered by the Administrator including, but not limited to, any liability relating to qualification of the Trust as a regulated investment company or any liability relating to the Trusts compliance with any federal or state tax or securities statute, regulation or ruling during such Liability Period. Compensation Period shall mean the calendar year ending immediately prior to each Liability Period in which the event(s) giving rise to the Sub-Administrators liability for that period have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Period for purposes of calculating the annual cumulative liability of the Sub-Administrator for the Liability Period commencing on the date of this Agreement and terminating on December 31, 2015 shall be the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2015, calculated on an annualized basis, and the Compensation Period for the Liability Period commencing January 1, 2016 and terminating on December 31, 2016 shall be the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2015, calculated on an annualized basis.
The Sub-Administrator shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including without limitation, work stoppage, power or other mechanical failure, computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action or communication disruption.
The Administrator shall indemnify and hold the Sub-Administrator and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Sub-Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Sub-Administrators acceptance of this Agreement, any action or omission by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the Administrator or the Trust or upon reasonable reliance on information or records given or made by the Administrator or the Trust or the Trusts investment adviser, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of the Sub-Administrator, its officers or employees in cases of its or their own negligence or willful misconduct.
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The limitation of liability and indemnification contained herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
9. | C ONFIDENTIALITY |
All information provided under this agreement by a party (the Disclosing Party) to the other party (the Receiving Party) regarding the Disclosing Partys business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 10 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Partys other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its Affiliates (as defined in Section 10 below), including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Sub-Administrator or its Affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement) or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The undertakings and obligations contained in this Section shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of five (5) years.
10. | U SE OF D ATA |
(a) | In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Sub-Administrator (which term for purposes of this Section 10 includes each of its parent company, braches and affiliates ( Affiliates)) may collect and store information regarding the Administrator or the Trust or Fund and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Administrator and the Sub-Administrator or any of its Affiliates and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. |
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(b) | Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Sub-Administrator and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information (Data) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Administrator and the Sub-Administrator or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Trust/Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data; provided that, unless the Administrator otherwise consents, Data is combined or aggregated with information relating to (i) other customers of the Sub-Administrator and/or its Affiliates or (ii) information derived from other sources, in each case such that any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Trust/Fund. The Administrator agrees that Sub-Administrator and /or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Sub-Administrators compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Sub-Administrator and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Administrator or the Trust/Fund, except upon the reasonable request of the Administrator, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees of each Trust, for purposes of Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act. |
(c) | Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 10 shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Sub-Administrator and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Sub-Administrator shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 10 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement. |
11. | C OMPLIANCE WITH G OVERNMENTAL R ULES AND R EGULATIONS ; R ECORDS |
The Administrator acknowledges that the Administrator and Trust assume full responsibility for complying with all securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and regulations applicable to each respectively.
In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Administrator shall at all times remain the property of the Administrator, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request except as otherwise provided in Section 13. The Sub-Administrator further agrees that all records that it maintains for the Trust, or for the Administrator on behalf of the Trust, pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records may be surrendered in either written or machine-readable form, at the option of the Sub-Administrator.
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12. | S ERVICES N OT E XCLUSIVE |
The services of the Sub-Administrator are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Sub-Administrator shall be free to render similar services to others. The Sub-Administrator shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or authorized by the Administrator or the Trust from time to time, have no authority to act or represent the Administrator or the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Administrator or the Trust.
13. | E FFECTIVE P ERIOD AND T ERMINATION |
The Agreement shall commence on June 1, 2015 and shall continue for an initial term until May 31, 2016 (the Initial Term), and thereafter shall automatically continue for successive one year periods (each a Renewal Term); provided however, that at any time during the Initial Term or any Renewal Term either party may terminate the Agreement on sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any Fund shall in no way affect the continued validity of this Agreement with respect to the Trust or any other Fund. Upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph with respect to the Trust or any Fund, the Administrator shall pay the Sub-Administrator its compensation due for services rendered prior to the termination date, and shall reimburse Sub-Administrator for its costs, expenses and disbursements with respect to services rendered prior to the termination date. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Sub-Administrator will deliver the Trusts or such Funds records as set forth herein.
14. | N OTICES |
Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by confirmed facsimile, by overnight delivery through a commercial courier service, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other):
If to the Administrator:
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Attn: Ellen Needham, President
Facsimile: 617-664-4011
If to the Sub-Administrator:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, MA 02206-5049
Attn: Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel
Facsimile: 617-662-2702
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15. | A MENDMENT |
This Agreement may be amended at any time in writing by mutual agreement of the parties hereto. Each impacted Trust will be notified by the Administrator of any material amendment to this Agreement.
16. | A SSIGNMENT |
This Agreement shall not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior consent in writing of the other party, except that the Sub-Administrator may assign this Agreement to an affiliate that is the successor to all or a substantial portion of its business.
17. | S UCCESSORS |
This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrator and the Sub-Administrator and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
18. | D ATA P ROTECTION |
The Sub-Administrator shall implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Trusts shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Sub-Administrator receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, personal information shall mean (i) an individuals name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a persons account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individuals account. Notwithstanding the foregoing personal information shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.
19. | E NTIRE A GREEMENT |
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous representations, warranties or commitments regarding the services to be performed hereunder whether oral or in writing, including, without limitation, the agreements set forth in Schedule C hereto (as amended, modified or supplemented, the Prior Agreements). The parties agree that upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Prior Agreements shall be terminated.
20. | W AIVER |
The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.
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21. | S EVERABILITY |
If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the balance of the Agreement shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
22. | G OVERNING L AW |
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions.
23. | R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS |
This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, xerographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
24. | C OUNTERPARTS |
This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto on any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first written above.
SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen Needham |
|
Name: | Ellen Needham | |
Title: | President | |
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY | ||
By: |
/s/ Gunjan Kedia |
|
Name: | Gunjan Kedia | |
Title: | Executive Vice President |
Master Sub-Administration Agreement
SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
SPDR Index Shares Funds
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Russia ETF
SPDR S&P China ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME TM Japan ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap TM Japan ETF
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF
A-1
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF
SPDR S&P India ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Series Trust
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR Russell 3000 ETF
SPDR Russell 1000 ETF
SPDR Russell 2000 ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Value ETF
SPDR Russell Small Cap Completeness ETF
SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Value ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF
SPDR Global Dow ETF
A-2
SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF
SPDR S&P Bank ETF
SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Insurance ETF
SPDR S&P Regional Banking SM ETF
SPDR Morgan Stanley Technology ETF
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF
SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF
SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF
SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF
SPDR S&P Retail ETF
SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF
SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF
SPDR S&P Telecom ETF
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Momentum Tilt ETF
SPDR Russell 1000 Low Volatility ETF
SPDR Russell 2000 Low Volatility ETF
SPDR Wells Fargo Preferred Stock ETF
SPDR Barclays 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays 0-5 Year TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Intermediate Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Intermediate Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Long Term Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Issuer Scored Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Convertible Securities ETF
SPDR Barclays Mortgage Backed Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Aggregate Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays California Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays New York Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Short Term Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen S&P High Yield Municipal Bond ETF
SPDR Nuveen Barclays Build America Bond ETF
A-3
SPDR DB International Government Inflation-Protected Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term International Treasury Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Emerging Markets Local Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays International High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Investment Grade Floating Rate ETF
SPDR BofA Merrill Lynch Emerging Markets Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR BofA Merrill Lynch Crossover Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR S&P 500 Buyback ETF
SPDR MSCI USA Quality Mix ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Building & Construction ETF
SPDR S&P Computer Hardware ETF
SPDR S&P Food & Beverage ETF
SPDR S&P LeisureTime ETF
SPDR S&P Outsourcing & IT Consulting ETF
SPDR S&P 1500 Volatility Tilt ETF
SPDR S&P Commercial Paper ETF
SPDR S&P Agency Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Industrial Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Financial Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Corporate Utility Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays Zero Coupon Bond ETF
SPDR Barclays CMBS ETF
SPDR Barclays Global Convertible Securities ETF
SPDR Barclays Breakeven Inflation ETF
SPDR S&P Commercial Paper ex-Financials ETF
SPDR Barclays Floating Rate Treasury ETF
SSGA Active Trust
OPERATIONAL ETFS AND PORTFOLIOS
SPDR SSGA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF
SPDR SSGA Income Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Global Allocation ETF
SPDR Blackstone/GSO Senior Loan ETF
SPDR SSGA Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Core Equity ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Growth Equity ETF
SPDR MFS Systematic Value Equity ETF
SPDR SSGA Risk Aware ETF
A-4
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio
SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR SSGA Conservative Global Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Aggressive Global Allocation ETF
SPDR SSGA Conservative Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR SSGA Aggressive Ultra Short Term Bond ETF
SPDR SSGA Large Cap Risk Aware ETF
SPDR SSGA Small Cap Risk Aware ETF
SPDR SSGA US Minimum Volatility ETF
SPDR SSGA Global Managed Volatility ETF (formerly, SPDR SSgA Global Minimum Volatility ETF)
SPDR SSGA Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF
SSGA Funds
SSGA U.S. Government Money Fund*
SSGA Money Market Fund*
SSGA High Yield Bond Fund*
SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund*
SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund*
SSGA Emerging Markets Fund*
SSGA International Stock Selection Fund*
SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund*
SSGA U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund*
SSGA Prime Money Market Fund*
SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund*
SSGA Master Trust
OPERATIONAL PORTFOLIOS
SSGA Multi-Asset Real Return Portfolio
SSGA Income Allocation Portfolio
SSGA Global Allocation Portfolio
Blackstone / GSO Senior Loan Portfolio
SSGA Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Core Equity Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Growth Equity Portfolio
SSGA MFS Systematic Value Equity Portfolio
State Street Risk Aware Portfolio
State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical Portfolio
SHELF PORTFOLIOS
SSGA Conservative Global Allocation Portfolio
SSGA Aggressive Global Allocation Portfolio
A-5
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund*
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund*
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund*
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund*
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund*
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund*
State Street Strategic Real Return 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 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 Global Managed Volatility Fund*
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Equity Fund
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund*
State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund*
State Street Green Bond Fund
State Street ESG Emerging Markets Fund*
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund*
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index*
State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund
State Street Income Allocation Fund
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund
State Street Global Allocation Fund
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund
State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio
State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund
A-6
State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio
State Street Cash Reserves Fund
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund
State Street Current Yield Portfolio
State Street Current Yield Fund
State Street Conservative Income Portfolio
State Street Conservative Income Fund
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund
State Street Master Funds
State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio
State Street Money Market Portfolio
State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio
State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio
State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio
State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending TIAA-CREF Short Term Lending Portfolio State Street Navigator Securities Lending MET Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Portfolio
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Short-Term Bond Portfolio
* | Receiving blue sky services pursuant to Section 5(cc). |
A-7
SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE B
Notice Filing with State Securities Administrators
At the specific direction of the Administrator or the Trust, the Sub-Administrator will prepare required documentation and make Notice Filings in accordance with the securities laws of each jurisdiction in which Trust shares are to be offered or sold pursuant to instructions given to the Sub-Administrator by the Administrator or the Trust.
The Administrator shall be solely responsible for the determination (i) of those jurisdictions in which Notice Filings are to be submitted and (ii) the number of Trust shares to be permitted to be sold in each such jurisdiction. In the event that the Sub-Administrator becomes aware of (a) the sale of Trust shares in a jurisdiction in which no Notice Filing has been made or (b) the sale of Trust shares in excess of the number of Trust shares permitted to be sold in such jurisdiction, the Sub-Administrator shall report such information to the Administrator or the Trust, and it shall be the Administrators or the Trusts responsibility to determine appropriate corrective action and instruct the Sub-Administrator with respect thereto.
The Blue Sky services shall consist of the following:
1. | Filing of Trusts Initial Notice Filings, as directed by the Trust; |
2. | Filing of Trusts renewals and amendments as required; |
3. | Filing of amendments to the Trusts registration statement where required; |
4. | Filing Trust sales reports where required; |
5. | Payment at the expense of the Trust of all Trust Notice Filing fees; |
6. | Filing the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and any amendments or supplements thereto where required; |
7. | Filing of annual reports and proxy statements where required; and |
8. | The performance of such additional services as the Sub-Administrator and the Administrator may agree upon in writing. |
Unless otherwise specified in writing by the Sub-Administrator, Blue Sky services by the Sub-Administrator shall not include determining the availability of exemptions under a jurisdictions blue sky law or ensuring the proper application of any such exemptions. Any such determinations shall be made by the Administrator or the Trust or their legal counsel.
B-1
If the Administrator or the Trust has elected to deliver Trust share sales information to the Sub-Administrator via broker-dealer feeds, the Sub-Administrators processing of any such feeds is subject to the supervision and approval of the Trust and the following shall apply.
1. | Activation of any broker-dealer feeds, including transfer agent codes or broker codes, will commence as soon as practical after written instructions are received from the Trust. The Sub-Administrator will assume all sales from such feeds are Blue Sky reportable. |
2. | The Sub-Administrator will accept and pay Blue Sky fees based on all active and live direct broker-dealer feeds, as instructed by the Trust in writing. |
3. | The originating entity, and not the Sub-Administrator, is responsible for the accuracy of all broker-dealer feed information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Sub-Administrator will not be responsible for (i) reconciling any direct broker-dealer feeds with the Trusts accounting records, (ii) ensuring that omnibus suppressions are effected, (iii) the accuracy of any files transmitted from the transfer agent or broker-dealer systems or (iv) errors or omissions in sales data. The Sub-Administrator will not alter or otherwise manipulate or change the contents of any transfer agent or broker-dealer files routed to the Sub-Administrator. |
4. | The Administrator or the Trust will be responsible for ensuring that any direct broker-dealer feeds are deactivated from the main omnibus feed at the Trusts transfer agent as appropriate. The Trust acknowledges that all dropped and dead transfer agent or broker-dealer feeds will automatically be deactivated. |
In connection with the services described herein, the Trust shall issue in favor of the Sub-Administrator a power of attorney to submit Notice Filings on behalf of the Trust, which power of attorney shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.
B-2
EXHIBIT 1
LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, as of that (the Trust) on behalf of its currently existing series and all future series (the Funds), with principal offices at , makes, constitutes, and appoints BOSTON FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. (Boston Financial) with principal offices at 200 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169 its lawful attorney-in-fact for it to do as if it were itself acting, the following:
1. NOTICE FILINGS FOR FUND SHARES. The power to submit (in any format accepted) notice filings for the Funds in each jurisdiction in which the Funds shares are offered or sold and in connection therewith the power to prepare, execute, and deliver and file (in any format accepted) any and all of the Funds applications including without limitation, applications to provide notice for the Funds shares, consents, including consents to service of process, reports, including without limitation, all periodic reports, or other documents and instruments now or hereafter required or appropriate in the judgment of the Boston Financial in connection with the notice filings of the Funds shares.
2. TRANSMIT FILING FEES. The power to draw, endorse, and deposit checks and/or transmit electronic payments in the name of the Funds in connection with the notice filings of the Funds shares with state securities administrators.
3. AUTHORIZED SIGNERS. Pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney, individuals holding the titles of Managing Director, Vice President, Compliance Officer, Compliance Group Manager, Compliance Manager, or Compliance Fund Administrator at Boston Financial shall have authority to act on behalf of the Funds with respect to items 1 and 2 above.
The execution of this limited power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be revocable only upon receipt by Boston Financial of such termination of authority. Nothing herein shall be construed to constitute the appointment of Boston Financial as or otherwise authorize Boston Financial to act as an officer, director or employee of the Trust.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by and through its duly authorized officer, as of the date first written above.
[NAME] | ||
By: |
|
Name: |
|
Title: |
|
|
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of 20 |
Exh 1-1
Notary Public | ||
State of |
|
In and for the County of |
|
|
My Commission expires |
|
Exh 1-2
SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE C
Prior Agreements
| Administration Agreement dated as of February 15, 2002 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SPDR Index Shares Funds |
| Administration Agreement dated as of September 22, 2000 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SPDR Series Trust |
| Administration Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2012 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Active Trust |
| Administration Agreement dated as of January 1, 2013 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Funds 1 |
| Administration Agreement dated as of April 18, 2012 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSgA Master Trust |
| Administration Agreement dated as of February 28, 2000 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Institutional Investment Trust |
| Sub-Administration Agreement dated as of February 1, 2011 by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and State Street Institutional Investment Trust |
| Administration Agreement dated as of March 1, 2000 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Master Funds |
| Administration Agreement dated as of March 4, 1996 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust |
| Money Market Services Agreement dated as of September 1, 2010 by and between State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company |
1 | Note that this Agreement superseded the Money Market Services Agreement dated September 1, 2010 by and between SSgA Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company |
C-1
SUB-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
SPDR Index Shares Funds
OPERATIONAL ETFS
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF
SPDR S&P ® Emerging Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Russia ETF
SPDR S&P China ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P Global Infrastructure ETF
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIMETM Japan ETF
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Japan ETF
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF
SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF
SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF
SHELF ETFS
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF
SPDR S&P Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF
SPDR S&P India ETF
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF
[REDACTED]
As of December 15, 2015
2
ANNEX A
Fund |
Trading Symbol | |
SPDR ® STOXX ® Europe 50 ETF |
FEU | |
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 ® ETF |
FEZ | |
SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF |
RWX | |
SPDR S&P ® Global Infrastructure ETF |
GII | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF |
CWI | |
SPDR Russell/Nomura PRIME Japan ETF |
JPP | |
SPDR Russell/Nomura Small Cap Japan ETF |
JSC | |
SPDR S&P Russia ETF |
RBL | |
SPDR S&P China ETF |
GXC | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF |
GMF | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ETF |
GMM | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF |
GUR | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Latin America ETF |
GML | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF |
GAF | |
SPDR S&P World ex-US ETF |
GWL | |
SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF |
GWX | |
SPDR S&P BRIC 40 ETF |
BIK | |
SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF |
DWX | |
SPDR S&P International Mid Cap ETF |
MDD | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF |
EWX | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF |
RWO | |
SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF |
GNR | |
SPDR S&P International Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF |
IPD | |
SPDR S&P International Consumer Staples Sector ETF |
IPS | |
SPDR S&P International Energy Sector ETF |
IPW | |
SPDR S&P International Financial Sector ETF |
IPF | |
SPDR S&P International Health Care Sector ETF |
IRY | |
SPDR S&P International Industrial Sector ETF |
IPN | |
SPDR S&P International Materials Sector ETF |
IRV | |
SPDR S&P International Technology Sector ETF |
IPK | |
SPDR S&P International Telecommunications Sector ETF |
IST | |
SPDR S&P International Utilities Sector ETF |
IPU | |
SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF |
EDIV | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI IMI ETF |
ACIM |
Fund |
Trading Symbol | |
SPDR MSCI EM 50 ETF |
EMFT | |
SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF |
WDIV | |
SPDR MSCI EM Beyond BRIC ETF |
EMBB | |
SPDR EURO STOXX Small Cap ETF |
SMEZ | |
SPDR MSCI EAFE Quality Mix ETF |
QEFA | |
SPDR MSCI World Quality Mix ETF |
QWLD | |
SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Mix ETF |
QEMM | |
SPDR MSCI Australia Quality Mix ETF |
QAUS | |
SPDR MSCI Canada Quality Mix ETF |
QCAN | |
SPDR MSCI Germany Quality Mix ETF |
QDEU | |
SPDR MSCI Japan Quality Mix ETF |
QJPN | |
SPDR MSCI Spain Quality Mix ETF |
QESP | |
SPDR MSCI United Kingdom Quality Mix ETF |
QGBR | |
SPDR MSCI Mexico Quality Mix ETF |
QMEX | |
SPDR MSCI South Korea Quality Mix ETF |
QKOR | |
SPDR MSCI Taiwan Quality Mix ETF |
QTWN | |
SPDR MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF |
LOWC | |
SPDR EURO STOXX 50 Currency Hedged ETF |
HFEZ | |
SPDR S&P International Dividend Currency Hedged ETF |
HDWX | |
SPDR MSCI International Real Estate Currency Hedged ETF |
HREX | |
SPDR MSCI China A Shares IMI ETF |
XINA | |
SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF |
NANR | |
SPDR S&P Asia Pacific ETF* |
||
SPDR S&P Europe ETF* |
||
SPDR S&P Emerging Africa ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Emerging South East Asia ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Emerging GCC-Middle East ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Ireland ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Brazil ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P India ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Europe ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Latin America ETF * |
||
SPDR S&P Small Cap Emerging Middle East & Africa ETF * |
||
SPDR MSCI France Quality Mix ETF * |
||
SPDR MSCI Hong Kong Quality Mix ETF * |
||
SPDR MSCI Italy Quality Mix ETF * |
||
SPDR MSCI Switzerland Quality Mix ETF * |
||
SPDR STOXX ® Europe 50 Currency Hedged ETF* |
* | The Fund is registered but not operational |
Dated: December 15, 2015
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
2020 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006-1806
Tel. +1.202.373.6000
Fax: +1.202.373.6001
www.morganlewis.com
December 14, 2015
SPDR ® Index Shares Funds
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Re: | SPDR ® Index Shares Funds |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to SPDR ® Index Shares Funds, a Massachusetts voluntary association (commonly known as a business trust) (the Trust), in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on or about December 14, 2015 (the Registration Statement), with respect to the issuance of shares of beneficial interest, with $0.01 par value per share (the Shares), of the SPDR S&P ® North American Natural Resources ETF (the Fund), a newly created series of the Trust. You have requested that we deliver this opinion to you in connection with the Trusts filing of the Registration Statement.
In connection with the furnishing of this opinion, we have examined the following documents:
(a) | A certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as to the existence of the Trust; |
(b) | A copy, stamped as filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the Trusts Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated February 13, 2002, as amended July 1, 2004, and as amended August 1, 2007 (the Declaration); |
(c) | A certificate executed by the Secretary of the Trust, certifying as to, and attaching copies of, the Trusts Declaration, the Trusts Amended and Restated By-Laws dated February 13, 2002 and last amended August 26, 2015 (the By-Laws), and certain resolutions adopted by the Trustees of the Trust authorizing the issuance of the Shares of the Fund (the Resolutions); and |
(d) | A printers proof of the Registration Statement. |
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to the originals of all of the documents reviewed by us as copies, including conformed copies, the authenticity and completeness of all original documents reviewed by us in original or copy form and the legal competence of each individual executing any document. We have assumed that the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission will be in substantially the form of the printers proof referred to in paragraph (d)
Almaty Astana Beijing Boston Brussels Chicago Dallas Dubai Frankfurt Hartford Houston London Los Angeles Miami Moscow New York Orange County Paris Philadelphia Pittsburgh Princeton San Francisco Santa Monica Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Washington Wilmington
SPDR ® Index Shares Funds
December 14, 2015
Page 2
above. We have also assumed that the Declaration, By-laws and the Resolutions will not have been amended, modified or withdrawn with respect to matters relating to the Shares and will be in full force and effect on the date of the issuance of such Shares.
This opinion is based entirely on our review of the documents listed above and such investigation of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. We have made no other review or investigation of any kind whatsoever, and we have assumed, without independent inquiry, the accuracy of the information set forth in such documents.
As to any opinion below relating to the formation or existence of the Trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, our opinion relies entirely upon and is limited by the certificate of public officials referred to in (a) above.
This opinion is limited solely to the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as applied by courts located in Massachusetts (other than Massachusetts securities laws, as to which we express no opinion), to the extent that the same may apply to or govern the transactions referred to herein. No opinion is given herein as to the choice of law which any tribunal may apply to such transaction. In addition, to the extent that the Declaration or the By-laws refer to, incorporate or require compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), or any other law or regulation applicable to the Trust, except for the internal substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as aforesaid, we have assumed compliance by the Trust with the 1940 Act and such other laws and regulations.
We understand that all of the foregoing assumptions and limitations are acceptable to you.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, please be advised that it is our opinion that:
1. | The Trust has been formed and is existing under the Trusts Declaration and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a voluntary association with transferable shares of beneficial interest commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust. |
2. | The Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Trusts Declaration and By-laws and for the consideration described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts except that, as set forth in the Registration Statement, shareholders of the Trust may under certain circumstances be held personally liable for its obligations. |
This opinion is given as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update this opinion to reflect any changes in law or any other facts or circumstances which may hereafter come to our attention. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In rendering this opinion and giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
|
Code of Ethics
Effective: November 10, 2015 |
Table of Contents
1 Overview and Scope |
2 | |||
2 Statement of General Fiduciary Principles |
2 | |||
3 Definitions |
4 | |||
4 Requirements of the Code Applicable to All Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons |
8 | |||
5 Trading Provisions, Restrictions, and Prohibitions Applicable to Access Persons and Investment Personnel |
15 | |||
6 Additional Trading Requirements Applicable to Investment Personnel |
17 | |||
7 Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics |
18 | |||
Appendix A SSGA Legal Entities and Locations |
19 | |||
Appendix B Beneficial Ownership |
21 | |||
Appendix C Reporting Obligations |
23 | |||
Appendix D Specific Country Requirements |
25 | |||
Appendix E Security Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements |
35 | |||
Appendix F Designated Brokers |
38 | |||
Appendix G Contacts |
39 |
The following Related Policies are available on the Compliance Department Collaborate website:
Note: The related policies and information are subject to change from time to time.
| SSGA Inside Information Policy |
| SSGA Violation and Sanctioning Policy |
| State Street Standard of Conduct |
| State Street Corporation Political Activities Policy |
| State Street Global Anti-Corruption Policy |
| State Street Gifts and Entertainment Procedure |
| State Street Compliance Enforcement Procedure Global |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 1/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
1 | Overview and Scope |
This Code of Ethics (the Code) applies to (i) the employees of and certain designated contingent workers engaged at State Street Global Advisors, wherever located; (ii) officers of registered investment companies managed by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (SSGA FM), excluding registered investment companies for which SSGA FM serves as sub-adviser (the Funds) (such individuals specified in (i) and (ii), collectively Covered Persons); and (iii) any other persons as designated from time to time by the State Street Ethics Office (the Ethics Office), or their designee. SSGA FM and other advisory affiliates of State Street make up State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), the investment management arm of State Street Corporation (see Appendix A for a list of SSGA entities and locations). In certain non-US countries, local laws, regulations or customs may impose requirements in addition to those required by the Code. Covered Persons residing in a country identified in Appendix D are subject to the applicable requirements set forth in Appendix D, as updated from time to time.
Please note that in France the provisions of this Code are complementary to the provisions of State Street Global Advisors France, S.A.s (SSGAF) Internal Regulation as updated on July 1, 2011, and the other policies and procedures listed in Appendix D.
The Ethics Office administers this Code in coordination with SSGAs Global Chief Compliance Officer, and should be contacted if you have any questions concerning the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Code.
2 | Statement of General Fiduciary Principles |
SSGA, its subsidiaries and affiliates (see Appendix A) (collectively the Advisors, Our, or We) and the officers of the Funds owe a fiduciary duty to their advisory clients (including the Funds) and are subject to certain laws and regulations governing personal securities trading. Therefore, as a Covered Person, you have an obligation to observe the following principles, as applicable:
| At all times, avoid placing your personal interest ahead of the interests of the clients of the Advisors; |
| Avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and the activities of the Advisors clients; and |
| Do not misappropriate investment opportunities from clients. |
As such, your personal financial transactions and related activities, along with those of your family members (and others in a similar relationship to you) must be conducted consistently with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest with the Advisors clients or abuse of your position of trust and responsibility. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements concerning applicability of the Code to accounts associated with the Covered Persons.
When making personal investment decisions you must exercise extreme care to ensure that the prohibitions of this Code are not violated. We have developed this Code to promote the highest standards of behavior and ensure compliance with applicable laws. The Code sets forth procedures and limitations that govern the personal securities transactions of every Covered Person.
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 2/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
It is not possible for this Code to address every situation involving the personal trading of Covered Persons. The Ethics Office is charged with oversight and interpretation of the Code in a manner considered fair and equitable, in all cases placing the Advisors clients interests as paramount. No Covered Person shall recommend or cause an Advisors client account to take action or refrain from taking action for the Covered Persons own personal benefit. Technical compliance with the procedures, prohibitions and limitations of the Code will not automatically insulate you from scrutiny of, or sanctions for, securities transactions that abuse your fiduciary duty to any client of the Advisors. In addition to the detailed rules on personal securities transactions and other issues, the Code sets forth general principles that will apply even if specific rules do not address a specific situation.
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 3/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
3 | Definitions |
The definitions are designed to help you understand the application of the Code to all Covered Persons, and in particular, your situation. These definitions are an integral part of the Code and a proper understanding of them is necessary to comply with the Code. Please contact the Ethics Office (ethics@statestreet.com) if you have any questions. The specific requirements of the Code begin on page 8. Please refer back to these definitions as you read the Code.
A. | Covered Person includes employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), officers of the Funds who are not employed by the Advisors, and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office. Covered Person also includes certain designated contingent workers engaged at SSGA, including but not limited to consultants, contractors, and temporary help. Covered Persons are subject to the provisions of this Code. |
The personal trading requirements of the Code also apply to related persons of Covered Persons, such as spouses, domestic partners, minor children, adult children and other relatives living in the Covered Persons household, as well as other persons designated as a Covered Person by the CCO or the Ethics Office, or their designee(s). (Please see Appendix B for more information regarding beneficial ownership and Appendix D for regional definitions.)
B. | Categories of Covered Persons |
a. | Access Persons are those Covered Persons, who, |
i. | in connection with their regular functions or duties, (i) have access to nonpublic information regarding any of the Advisors clients purchase or sale of securities; (ii) have access to nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any of the Advisors clients; and (iii) other persons designated as Access Persons by SSGAs Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), the Ethics Office or their designee(s); or |
ii. | are officers of the Funds. |
b. | Investment Personnel are Access Persons who: |
i. | in connection with their regular functions or duties, make investment recommendations or decisions; participate in making investment recommendations or decisions; are responsible for day-to-day management of a portfolio; have knowledge of investment decisions under consideration; execute trades; analyze and research securities; |
ii. | manage or are managed by employees meeting the criteria in (i) above; and |
iii. | other persons designated as Investment Personnel by SSGAs CCO, the Ethics Office or their designee(s). |
c. | Non-Access Persons are Covered Persons who are not categorized as Access Persons or Investment Personnel. |
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C. | Employees are all officers, directors, and employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office or their designee(s). Such persons may include fund officers, interns, and others providing services to the Advisors. |
D. | Beneficially Owned Account |
The Codes provisions apply to accounts beneficially owned by the Covered Person, as well as accounts under direct or indirect influence or control of the Covered Person and include, but are not limited to:
a. | The Covered Persons own Reportable Accounts and Reportable Accounts beneficially owned by the Covered Person as described below; |
b. | The Covered Persons spouse/domestic partners/PACS 1 partners Reportable Accounts and the Reportable Accounts of minor and adult children and other relatives living in the Covered Persons household; |
c. | Accounts in which the Covered Person, his/her spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner, minor and adult children or other relatives living in their household have a beneficial interest (i.e. share in the profits even if there is no influence on voting or disposition of the shares); and |
d. | Reportable Accounts (including corporate Accounts and trust Accounts) over which the Covered Person or his/her spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner or other relatives living in the Covered Persons household exercises investment discretion or direct or indirect influence or control. |
See Appendix B for a more detailed discussion of Beneficially Owned Accounts and beneficial ownership. For additional guidance in determining beneficial ownership, contact the Ethics Office.
E. | Reportable Accounts are Beneficially Owned Accounts that have the ability to hold Covered Securities (see Appendix E). These can include, but are not limited to: |
| All brokerage 2 accounts including retirement and non-retirement accounts. This includes but is not limited to IRAs, RRSPs, UTMA and UGMA accounts. |
| The Self-Directed brokerage accounts offered to employees of the Advisors by State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM). |
| Accounts which are provided to employees into which their Employee Incentive Awards are deposited. |
| Employee Stock Ownership and Purchase Plans (ESOPs/ESPPs) |
| Retirement plans (e.g., 401(k)s in the United States and superannuation vehicles in Australia) in which the owner: (1) invests in Reportable Funds (i.e., investment products advised or sub-advised by SSGA); or (2) has the ability to transact and hold other Covered Securities requiring pre-clearance in Appendix E. Note: If the 401(k) or 403(b) is rolled over into an IRA, it is no longer considered a company-sponsored retirement plan and must be reported if it is a brokerage account, as outlined above. |
1 | PACS partner is a term for a domestic partner applicable in France. |
2 | For the purposes of this document, brokerage account means an account with a financial institution in which the account owner can hold and trade a wide variety of securities. Covered Persons should contact their financial institution(s) to verify whether or not their account(s) can hold Covered Securities. |
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Reportable Accounts do not include:
| Covered Persons personal bank accounts, government-subsidised (pension)-saving products, savings plans within the course of company pension schemes and educational savings plans which only allow unaffiliated open-end mutual funds, unit-investment trusts, or other registered commingled funds (such as IRC 529 Plans in the U.S.). |
| Pension accounts established under the Hong Kong regulation or the Singapore regulation unless the account has a capacity to invest in securities that are subject to the preclearance and reporting process. |
| Retirement plans (e.g., 401(k)s in the United States or superannuation vehicles in Australia) that are only invested in open-end mutual funds, UCITs, SICAVs, unlisted managed investment schemes not advised or sub-advised by SSGA. |
For greater clarity, all Reportable Accounts must be reported in StarCompliance regardless of whether they only hold securities which are considered exempt under the Code.
F. | Automatic Investment Plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. This includes a dividend reinvestment plan, and payroll and employer contributions to retirement plans. |
G. | CCO means the Global Chief Compliance Officer of SSGA. |
H. | Covered Securities are those securities subject to certain provisions of the Code. See Appendix ESecurity Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements for the application of the Code to the various security types and for a list of securities which are not Covered Securities. |
I. | Closed-end Fund means a registered investment company that raises capital only periodically, by issuing a fixed number of shares. The shares of the closed-end fund are typically traded on an exchange and their prices fluctuate throughout the trading day, based on supply, demand, and the changing values of their underlying holdings. Closed-end funds are also known as Listed Investment Companies in Australia, and Investment Trusts in the U.K. Closed-end funds do not include funds typically known as Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) organized as open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts. |
J. | Contracts For Difference (CFDs) are financial derivatives that allow investors to take advantage of prices moving up (long positions) or prices moving down (short positions) on underlying financial instruments and are often used to speculate on those markets. A CFD is a contract between two parties, typically described as buyer and seller, stipulating that the seller will pay to the buyer the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time. If the difference is negative, then the buyer pays instead to the seller. |
K. | Employee Incentive Awards means SSGA Performance Equity Plan (PEP) Awards in State Street Corporation (STT) stock, Deferred Stock Awards (DSAs), Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs), STT stock options which are granted to employees, and any other awards that are convertible into or otherwise based on STT common stock. |
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L. | EMG means the Executive Management Group of SSGA. |
M. | Fully Managed Account (also known as Discretionary Account) means a Beneficially Owned Account in which the individual has contractually authorized an independent third party broker or advisor to have full investment discretion over the account and trade securities in the account without prior consent from the Covered Person or their related person for each transaction. An account is not considered to be a Fully Managed Account until the Ethics Office has formally approved the account as such. Note: Fully Managed Accounts are reportable, although trade pre-clearance is not required. Additional certifications pertaining to activity in a Fully Managed Account may be required by Ethics from time to time. |
N. | IPO means an initial public offering of equity securities registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or a foreign financial regulatory authority. |
O. | Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration under certain provisions of the U.S. securities laws and/or similar laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). Private placements include certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, investments in family owned or privately held businesses and private company shares. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements. Please see Appendix D for regional definitions of Private Placement. |
P. | Reportable Fund means any commingled investment vehicle (except money market funds), or Exchange Traded Note (ETN) for which the Advisors act as investment advisor, sub-advisor, principal underwriter, or marketing agent. (Note: all ETFs and ETNs are reportable under the Code of Ethics. See Appendix E for reporting and pre-clearance requirements.) |
Q. | SSGA Compliance Department means all global SSGA compliance staff, including those in local offices, in charge of ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations in force worldwide and who report up to the Global Chief Compliance Officer of SSGA. |
R. | Spread betting is any of various types of wagering, such as on sports, financial instruments or house prices for example, on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple win or lose outcome. As an example, spread betting on a stock allows the participant to speculate on the price movement of the stock. |
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4 | Requirements of the Code Applicable to All Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons |
A. | Compliance with Applicable Securities Laws |
The Advisors are subject to extensive laws and regulations. As a Covered Person, you must comply not only with all applicable securities laws 3 , but all applicable firm-wide policies and procedures, including this Code, which may be, on occasion, more restrictive than applicable securities laws. Any person subject to this Code is responsible for compliance with these rules. Covered Persons residing outside the U.S. must also comply with local securities laws (see Appendix D for specific country requirements). In addition, Covered Persons must be sensitive to the need to recognize any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, of interest between personal activities and activities conducted for the benefit of the Advisors clients, whether or not covered by the provisions of this Code.
B. | Prohibited Conduct |
No Covered Person, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such Covered Person of a security held or to be acquired by a Fund, shall:
a. | Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund; |
b. | Make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
c. | Engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or |
d. | Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund. |
C. | Adherence to the SSGA Inside Information Policy and the State Street Standard of Conduct |
Covered Persons must adhere to the provisions of the SSGA Inside Information Policy, which governs the receipt and communication of material, non-public information (inside information) and prohibits the use of such information in violation of securities laws. The SSGA Inside Information Policy states that trading or recommending trading in any security in violation of securities laws while in possession of material, non-public information (insider trading) is prohibited. It is a violation of the SSGA Inside Information Policy for any Covered Person to engage in insider trading, including:
| trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of inside information; |
| communicating inside information to any other person (except to a direct manager or person authorized by the SSGA Legal Department to receive such information (a Designated Person) or other Covered Persons on a need-to-know basis with the prior approval of one of the Designated Persons).; and |
| recommending the purchase or sale of securities to which the inside information relates. |
3 | U.S. employees must comply with the applicable U.S. Federal Securities Laws. This includes the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the SEC under these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act and rules adopted there under by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury. |
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Inside information may include information about important events involving the Reportable Funds, such as, but not limited to, planned mergers or liquidations of Reportable Funds, or changes in the portfolio management team for a Reportable Fund.
Employees must also adhere to the provisions of the State Street Standard of Conduct, which addresses personal trading, inside information, and protection of confidential information, among other policies.
D. | Reporting Violations |
This language does not apply to Covered Persons in France and Italy. Please see Appendix D for the Reporting Violations section applicable in France and Italy. Covered Persons are required to promptly report any violation of the Code, and any amendments thereto, whether their own or another individuals, to the Ethics Office. Reports of violations other than your own may be made to the Ethics Office or the senior compliance manager in your region, or the CCO. Alternatively, you may contact the Network to report violations anonymously and confidentially (see Appendix G for contact information).
State Street recognizes that certain disclosures of confidential information to appropriate government authorities are protected by whistleblower and other laws. Nothing in this Code of Ethics is intended to or should be understood to prohibit or otherwise discourage such disclosures. State Street will not tolerate any discipline or other retaliation against employees who properly make such legally-protected disclosures.
E. | Certification of Receipt and Compliance |
a. | Initial Certification (New Covered Person) |
Each new Covered Person will be given a copy of this policy and the State Street Standard of Conduct. New employees will be given a copy of the State Street Standard of Conduct. Each new employees offer letter will include a copy of the Code and a statement advising the individual that he/she will be subject to the Code if he/she accepts the offer of employment. If, outside the U.S. due to local employment practices it is necessary to modify this approach, then the offer letters will be revised in accordance with local law. Within 10 calendar days each new Covered Person must certify that they have (i) read, understand, and will comply with the Code, (ii) will promptly report violations or possible violations (in France and Italy, Covered Persons will acknowledge they have the possibility to report violations or possible violations identified in the Reporting Violations section set forth in Appendix D as applicable to France and Italy); and (iii) recognize that an instance of non-compliance with the Code may be grounds for action under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal. Further rules apply to Covered Persons in Italy. Please see section Certification of receipt and Compliance in Appendix D as applicable to Italy.
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b. | Annual Certification (All Covered Persons) |
Each Covered Person is required to certify annually in writing that they have read and understand the Code within 30 calendar days following calendar year end. Each Covered Person must also certify that they: (i) have complied with the Code during the course of their association with the Advisor; (ii) will continue to comply with the Code in the future; (iii) will promptly report violations or possible violations (in France and Italy, Covered Persons will acknowledge they have the possibility to report the violations or possible violations identified the Reporting Violations section set forth in Appendix D as applicable to France and Italy); (iv) recognize that an instance of non-compliance with the Code may be grounds for action under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal.
F. | Reportable Funds Transactions and Holdings |
Covered Persons are subject to the same policies prohibiting excessive trading that apply to all shareholders in Reportable Funds. These policies, as described in the Reportable Funds prospectuses, are subject to change.
Excessive trading activity can raise transaction costs for the fund, disrupt the funds stated portfolio management strategy, require a fund to maintain an elevated cash position, and result in unwanted taxable gains for fund shareholders and reduce the funds long-term performance
Covered Person investments in Reportable Funds are also subject to the Short Term Trading policy described in Section V. B. of this Code. These transactions are also subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements described in Appendix E.
G. | Disclosure of Reportable Accounts and Holdings |
For details on the specific reporting obligations, see Appendix C.
a. | Initial Report |
Each new Covered Person must disclose all Reportable Accounts, and all holdings in Covered Securities within 10 calendar days of becoming a Non-Access Person, Access Person, or Investment Person. The report must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the new employee became an Access Person, Investment Person, or Non-Access Person.
Please note that any Reportable Accounts opened during the Covered Persons employment or engagement with SSGA must also be immediately disclosed in StarCompliance regardless of whether there is any activity in the account. Any Reportable Accounts newly associated with a Covered Person, through marriage, gift, inheritance, or any other life event, must be disclosed within 30 days of the event.
b. | Duplicate Statements and Confirms |
Each Covered Person is responsible for ensuring that their broker-dealer, trust account manager, or other entity through which they have a Reportable Account, sends directly to the Ethics Office paper statements and trade confirmations. Designated Brokers (see Appendix F) send electronic feeds to the Ethics Office. However, it is the responsibility of the Covered Person to
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verify the accuracy of these feeds through Quarterly Transaction Reports and Annual Holdings Reports. This applies to any Reportable Accounts (including Fully Managed Accounts) active during the Covered Persons employment or engagement with SSGA. In local jurisdictions where this is not standard market practice, the Covered Person shall be responsible for supplying the Ethics Office or their designee(s) with required duplicate documents. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements.
c. | Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Each Covered Person is required to submit a quarterly transaction report for and certify to transactions in all Covered Securities within 30 calendar days of calendar quarter end, even if they had no transactions in Covered Securities during the quarter. Each Covered Person shall also certify that the Reportable Accounts listed in the transaction report are the only Reportable Accounts in which Covered Securities were traded during the quarter for their direct or indirect benefit. For the purposes of this report, transactions in Covered Securities that are effected in Automatic Investment Plans or accounts approved by the Ethics Office as Fully Managed Accounts need not be reported.
d. | Annual Report |
On an annual basis, Covered Persons are required to make an annual update of their Reportable Accounts and all holdings in Covered Securities within 30 calendar days following calendar year end. Each Covered Person shall certify that the accounts and securities listed in the report are the only Reportable Accounts and Covered Securities in which they have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership and that all details are accurate and correct. The report must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.
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H. | Excessive Trading |
Excessive or inappropriate trading that interferes with job performance or compromises the duty that the Advisors owe to their clients will not be permitted. An unusually high level of personal trading is strongly discouraged and may be monitored by the Ethics Office and reported to the EMG for review. A pattern of excessive trading may lead to action under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal.
I. | Gifts and Entertainment |
All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the State Street Gifts and Entertainment Procedure and the gifts and entertainment section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.
J. | Political Contributions and Activities |
All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the State Street Corporation Political Activities Policy.
K. | Use of the Advisors Proprietary Information |
The Advisors investment recommendations and other proprietary information are for the exclusive use of the Advisors clients. Covered Persons should not use the Advisors proprietary information for personal benefit. Any pattern of personal trading suggesting use of the Advisors proprietary information will be investigated. Any misuse or distribution in contravention of the Advisors policies regarding confidentiality, proprietary information or the State Street Standard of Conduct is prohibited.
L. | Service as a Director/Outside Employment and Business Activities |
All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the business conflicts section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.
M. | Futures, Options, Contracts For Difference, and Spread Betting |
Covered Persons are prohibited from engaging in Contracts For Difference (CFDs) and spread betting. Covered Persons are also prohibited from buying or selling options and futures. An exception may be made for Covered Persons who have received employee options from a prior employer. In those instances, the exercising or selling of options received from the prior employer is subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.
N. | Initial Public Offerings |
Covered Persons are prohibited from acquiring securities through an allocation by an underwriter of an initial public offering (IPO). An exception may be considered for situations where the spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner of an Covered Person is eligible to acquire shares in an IPO of his/her employer with prior written disclosure to and written approval from the Ethics Office. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.
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O. | Private Placements |
Covered Persons must obtain prior written approval from the Ethics Office before participating in a Private Placement. The Ethics Office will consult with the appropriate parties in evaluating the request. To request prior approval, Covered Persons must provide the Ethics Office with a completed Private Placement Request form which is available on the Collaborate intranet page. See Appendix D for regional definitions of Private Placements.
If the request is approved, the Covered Person must report the trade on the Quarterly Transaction Report and report the holding on the Annual Holdings Report (see Section IV. H.) Private placements include and are not limited to certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, investments in family owned businesses, private company shares offered to employees. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements.
Covered Persons may not invest in Private Placements if the opportunity to invest in that Private Placement could be considered a favor or gift designed to influence the Covered Persons judgment in the performance of his/her job duties or as compensation for services rendered to the issuer. In determining whether to grant prior written approval for any investment in a private placement, the Ethics Office will consider, among other things, whether it would be possible (and appropriate) to reserve that investment opportunity for one or more of Advisors clients, as well as whether the opportunity to invest in the Private Placement has been offered to the Covered Person as a gift, or as compensation for services rendered.
P. | Investment Clubs and Investment Contests |
Covered Persons must obtain prior written approval from the Ethics Office before participating in an Investment Club. The brokerage account(s) of the Investment Club are subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code. Participation in an Investment Club with other SSGA employees requires special review and pre-approval by the Ethics Office. The Advisors prohibit Covered Persons from direct or indirect participation in an investment contest. These prohibitions extend to the direct or indirect acceptance of payment or offers of payments of compensation, gifts, prizes, or winnings as a result of participation in such activities
Q. | Shorting of Securities |
Covered Persons are prohibited from selling securities short. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.
R. | State Street Securities |
Certain employees of the Advisors are subject to the State Street Securities Trading Policy as administered by the State Street Corporate Legal Department. These employees must comply with this policy.
During certain trading windows, employees may be permitted to exercise Employee Incentive Awards without being subject to the blackout and open order rule. However, these transactions remain subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code at all times. Employees will be notified when a trading window commences. During this period, all employees remain subject to the SSGA Inside Information Policy, as well as the Personal Trading in Securities section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.
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S. | Adherence to the Designated Broker Policy |
Covered Persons located in the United States are required to keep their Reportable Accounts with one of the eleven approved brokers on State Streets Designated Broker list. The Designated Brokers provide the trading activity in each account through an electronic feed into Star.
The categorical exemptions to the Designated Broker requirement are:
a. | Fully Managed Accounts (also known as Discretionary Accounts. See definition above.) |
b. | Accounts that are part of a former employers retirement plan (such as a 401k). |
c. | Employees who are not US citizens and are working in the US on an ex-pat assignment or whose status is non-permanent resident. |
d. | Securities held in physical form. |
e. | Accounts that are part of a spouses retirement plan at their employer. |
In addition to the categorical exemptions above, under limited situations, Covered Persons who believe they have a hardship may be granted an exemption to the requirement to keep their Reportable Accounts at one of the Designated Brokers. Such Covered Persons may request an exemption to be considered by the Ethics Office by sending an email which explains the hardship to the Ethics Office at ethics@statestreet.com.
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5 | Trading Provisions, Restrictions, and Prohibitions Applicable to Access Persons and Investment Personnel |
A. | Pre-Clearance |
Access Persons and Investment Personnel must request and receive pre-clearance approval prior to effecting a personal transaction in all Covered Securities (see Appendix E). All pre-clearance requests must be made by submitting a Pre-Trade Authorization Form (PTAF) for the amount of shares to be transacted in StarCompliance.
Pre-clearance approval is valid for the same business day the approval is granted. Good-till-cancelled orders are not permitted.
Access Persons and Investment Persons are required to pre-clear donations and/or gifts of securities made.
Any pre-clearance request may be evaluated to determine compliance with the provisions of the Code relevant to the trade, or as market conditions warrant. As there could be many reasons for pre-clearance being granted or denied, Access Persons and Investment Persons should not infer from the pre-clearance response anything regarding the security for which pre-clearance was requested.
To manage potential conflicts of interest, the Ethics Office maintains a list of issuers whose securities (including options and futures) may not be traded by anyone subject to this policy. The Restricted List is integrated into the pre-clearance approval process.A security that you already own could be placed on the Restricted List at any time. If this happens, you will be unable to sell the security until it is removed from the Restricted List.
The contents of the Restricted List shall be considered inside information and is subject to the considerations of the Inside Information Policy.
By seeking pre-clearance, Access Persons and Investment Personnel will be deemed to be advising the Ethics Office or their designee(s) that they (i) do not possess any material, non-public information relating to the security or issuer of the security; (ii) are not using knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to any client portfolio for personal benefit; (iii) believe the proposed trade is available to any similarly situated market participant on the same terms; and (iv) will provide any relevant information requested by the Ethics Office or their designee(s).
De Minimis Exception
Transactions effected pursuant to the de minimis exception remain subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code ; however, they are automatically pre-approved due to their size. A de minimis transaction is a personal trade that meets one of the following conditions: A single transaction in a security with a value equal to or less than US $5,000 (or the local country equivalent) or multiple transactions in a security within a five business day window that have an aggregate value equal to or less than US $5,000. (See examples on page 16.)
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De minimis Transaction Examples
Status |
Transaction(s) |
Notes |
||
De minimis |
Day One: Buy $5,000 of ABC, Inc. | No subsequent transactions in five business days | ||
De minimis |
Day One: Sell $1,000 of XYZ Corp. Day Two: Sell $3,000 of XYZ Corp. Day Four: Sell $800 of XYZ Corp. |
Within five business days, less than $5,000 worth of XYZ Corp. is sold; all transactions are under the de minimis threshold. | ||
Not de minimis |
Day One: Buy $4,500 of PQR, Inc. Day Three: Buy $1,000 of PQR, Inc. |
Day Three transaction is not considered de minimis, as it brings the total for the five business day window over $5,000. |
Exempted Transactions
Pre-clearance is not required for the below list of transactions:
| Purchases or sales which are part of an Automatic Investment Plan where the investment decisions are non-discretionary after the initial selections by the account owner (although the initial selection requires pre-clearance). These include dividend reinvestment plans, payroll and employer contributions to retirement plans, transactions in Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOPs) and similar services. Initiation of an Automatic Investment Plan must be disclosed to the Ethics Office or their designee(s) in advance. |
| Transactions in Covered Securities for which the Ethics Office has determined pre-clearance is not required (please see Appendix E for a chart of Security Types and pre-clearance requirements). Subject to prior approval of the account from theEthics Office, transactions made in a Discretionary Account (also known as a Fully Managed Account). An account will not be deemed a Discretionary Account until the Ethics Office has approved the account as a Discretionary Account. |
| Transactions in educational savings plans which only allow unaffiliated open-end mutual funds, unit-investment trusts, or other registered commingled products (such as IRC 529 Plans in the U.S.). |
| Involuntary purchases or sales such as mandatory tenders, broker disposition of fractional shares, debt maturities. Voluntary tenders, transactions executed as a result of a margin call, and other non-mandatory corporate actions are to be pre-cleared, unless the timing of the action is outside the control of the Covered Person, or the Ethics Office has determined pre-clearance is not required for a particular voluntary transaction. |
| Covered Securities received via a gift or inheritance, although such Covered Securities must be reported in StarCompliance. |
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B. | Short-Term Trading |
All Access Persons and Investment Personnel are prohibited from profiting from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) of the same or equivalent Covered Security within sixty (60) calendar days. Transactions that result in a profit will be considered an instance of non-compliance and result in action under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal. Any profit amount shall be calculated by the Ethics Office or their designee(s), the calculation of which shall be binding. This provision does not apply to :
| Transactions in securities that are not Covered Securities such as money market funds (see Appendix E); |
| Transactions in ETFs, except the actively-managed SSGA ETFs where the Investment Solutions Group (ISG) is prohibited from buying and selling or selling and buying actively managed SSGA ETFs within 60 days (see Appendix E); |
| Transactions executed in Discretionary Accounts (also known as Fully Managed Accounts) that have approved by the Ethics Office; or |
| Transactions effected through an Automatic Investment Plan. |
6 | Additional Trading Requirements Applicable to Investment Personnel |
A. | Open Order Rule |
B. | Blackout Period |
Subject to the de minimis exception (see Section 5), Investment Personnel may not buy or sell a Covered Security that requires pre-clearance for their Reportable Accounts for seven calendar days before or after a transaction in the same or equivalent security in a client portfolio with which they are associated.
For fundamental strategies, if a Portfolio Manager receives pre-clearance authorization to trade a Covered Security that requires pre-clearance in his or her Reportable Account, and subsequently determines that it is appropriate to trade the same or equivalent security in his or her client portfolio, the Portfolio Manager must contact the Ethics Office prior to executing any trades for his or her Reportable Account and/or client portfolio.
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7 | Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics |
A. | Applicability of the Code of Ethics Provisions |
The Ethics Office, or its designee(s), has the discretion to determine that the provisions of the Code of Ethics policy do not apply to a specific transaction or activity and may exempt any transaction from one or more trading prohibitions in writing under limited circumstances if the transaction is not inconsistent with the purpose of the Code and does not amount to a waiver of a fundamental policy contained in the Code that has been adopted to meet applicable securities laws and applicable firm-wide policies and procedures. The Ethics Office, or its designee(s), will review applicable facts and circumstances of such situations, such as specific legal requirements, contractual obligations or financial hardship. Any Covered Person who would like such consideration must submit a request in writing to the Ethics Office.
B. | Review of Reports |
The Ethics Office will review and monitor the reports filed by Covered Persons. Covered Persons and their supervisors may or may not be notified of the Ethics Offices review.
C. | Violations and Sanctions |
Any potential instances of non-compliance with the provisions of the Code or related policies will be investigated by the Ethics Office. If a determination is made that an instance of non-compliance occurred, the issue will be addressed under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal. Material violations will be reported promptly to the respective SSGA Committees, boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds or relevant committees of the boards and impacted clients.
D. | Amendments and Committee Procedures |
As set forth in its charter, the Global Compliance Committee (the Committee) will review and approve the Code, including appendices and exhibits, and any amendments thereto. The Committee may, from time to time, amend the Code and any appendices and exhibits to the Code to reflect updated business practice or changes in applicable law and regulation. The Committee, or its designee, shall submit material amendments to the EMG for approval. In addition, the Committee, or its designee, shall submit any material amendments to this Code to the respective boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds, or their designee(s), for approval no later than six months after adoption of the material change.
E. | Recordkeeping |
The Ethics Office shall maintain code of ethics records in accordance with the requirements set forth in applicable securities laws. 4
See Appendix D for additional information relating to the administration and enforcement of the Code of Ethics in certain regions.
4 | In the U.S., record keeping requirements for code of ethics are set forth in Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. |
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Appendix A SSGA Legal Entities and Locations
Entity |
Location |
|
Managed Pension Funds, Limited | London, United Kingdom | |
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited | Sydney, Australia | |
State Street Global Advisors, Australia Services, Limited | Sydney, Australia | |
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. | Boston, MA | |
State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank And Trust Company | Boston, MA | |
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd | Tokyo, Japan | |
State Street Global Advisors AG | Zurich, Switzerland | |
State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited | Hong Kong, China | |
State Street Global Advisors France, S.A. | Paris, France | |
State Street Global Advisors GmbH | Munich, Germany | |
State Street Global Advisors Limited | London, United Kingdom; Milan, Italy; Brussels, Belgium; Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited | Dublin, Ireland | |
State Street Global Advisors Luxembourg Management Sarl | Luxembourg, Luxembourg | |
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited | Singapore, Singapore | |
State Street Global Advisors, Cayman | Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands | |
State Street Global Advisors, Inc. | Dover, DE |
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Entity |
Location |
|
State Street Global Advisors, Mauritius | Port Louis, Mauritius | |
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd | Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
State Street Unit Trust Management Limited | London, United Kingdom | |
State Street Ireland Unit Trust Management Limited | Dublin, Ireland |
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Appendix B Beneficial Ownership
The Code states that the Codes provisions apply to accounts beneficially owned by the Covered Person, as well as accounts under direct or indirect influence or control of the Covered Person. Generally, an individual is considered to be a beneficial owner of accounts or securities when the individual has or shares direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the accounts or securities. Pecuniary interest means that an individual has the ability to profit, directly or indirectly, or share in any profit from a transaction. Indirect pecuniary interest extends to, but is not limited to:
| Accounts and securities held by immediate family members sharing the same household; and |
| Securities held in trust (certain restrictions may apply) |
| A right to acquire Covered Securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable |
In addition, a Covered Person may be considered a beneficial owner of an account or securities when the Covered Person can exercise direct or indirect investment control.
Practical Application
If an adult child is living with his or her parents: If the child is living in the parents house, but does not financially support the parent, the parents accounts and securities are not beneficially owned by the child. If the child works for the Advisors and does not financially support the parents, accounts and securities owned by the parents are not subject to the Code, with the exception of UGMA/UTMA, or similar types of accounts, which are legally owned by the child. If one or both parents work for the Advisors, and the child is supported by the parent(s), the childs accounts and securities are subject to the Code because the parent(s) is a beneficial owner of the childs accounts and securities.
Co-habitation (domestic partnership or PACS): Accounts where the Covered Person is a joint owner, or listed as a beneficiary, are subject to the Code. If the Covered Person contributes to the maintenance of the household and the financial support of the partner, the partners accounts and securities are beneficially owned by the Covered Person and are therefore subject to the Code.
Co-habitation (roommate): Generally, roommates are presumed to be temporary and have no beneficial interest in one anothers accounts and securities.
UGMA/UTMA and similar types of accounts: If the Covered Person, or the Covered Persons spouse is the custodian for a minor child, the account is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. If someone other than the Covered Person, or the Covered Persons spouse, is the custodian for the Covered Persons minor child, the account is not beneficially owned by the Covered Person.
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Transfer On Death accounts (TOD accounts): TOD accounts where the Covered Person receives the interest of the account upon death of the account owner are not beneficially owned by the Covered Person until the account transfer occurs (this particular account registration is not common).
Trusts
| If the Covered Person is the trustee for an account where the beneficiaries are not immediate family members, the position should be reviewed in light of outside business activity and generally will be subject to a case-by-case review for Code applicability. |
| If the Covered Person is a beneficiary and does not share investment control with a trustee, the Covered Person is not a beneficial owner until the Trust assets are distributed. |
| If a Covered Person is a beneficiary and can make investment decisions without consultation with a trustee, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. |
| If the Covered Person is a trustee and a beneficiary, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. |
| If the Covered Person is a trustee, and a family member is beneficiary, then the account is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. |
| If the Covered Person is a settler of a revocable trust, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. |
| If the Covered Persons spouse/domestic partner is trustee and beneficiary, a case-by-case review will be performed to determine applicability of the Code. |
College age children: If a Covered Person has a child in college and still claims the child as a dependent for tax purposes, the Covered Person is a beneficial owner of the childs accounts and securities.
Powers of Attorney: If a Covered Person has been granted power of attorney over an account, the Covered Person is not the beneficial owner of the account until such time as the power of attorney is activated.
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Appendix C Reporting Obligations
A. | Duplicate Statements and Confirmations |
Covered Persons must instruct their broker-dealer, trust account manager, or other entity through which they have a Reportable Account, to send on a regular basis directly to the Ethics Office or their designee(s):
| a trade confirmation summarizing each transaction; and |
| account statements (e.g. monthly, quarterly statements). |
This applies to any Reportable Accounts opened during the Covered Persons employment or engagement with SSGA. In local jurisdictions where this is not standard market practice, the Covered Person shall be responsible for supplying the Ethics Office with required duplicate documents. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements.
B. | Initial and Annual Holdings Reports |
Covered Persons must file initial and annual holdings reports (Holdings Reports) in StarCompliance as follows.
a. | Content of Holdings Reports |
i. | The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Covered Person maintained a Reportable Account. Please note that all Reportable Accounts must be reported in StarCompliance regardless of whether they do not presently hold any securities or only hold securities which are considered exempt under the Code. |
ii. | The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security |
iii. | The date the Covered Person submits the report. |
b. | Timing of Holdings Reports |
i. | Initial Report No later than 10 calendar days after becoming an Access Person, Investment Personnel, or Non-Access Person. The information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Covered Person became an Access Person, Investment Person, or Non-Access Person. |
ii. | Annual Report Annually, within 30 calendar days following calendar year end and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to the date the report is submitted. |
c. | Exceptions from Holdings Report Requirements |
Holdings in securities which are not Covered Securities are not required to be included in Holdings Reports (please see Appendix E).
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C. | Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Covered Persons must file a Quarterly Transaction Report in StarCompliance with respect to any transaction during the calendar quarter in a Covered Security in which the Covered Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership: and
a. | Content of Quarterly Transactions Report |
i. | For Transactions in Covered Securities |
| The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved; |
| The nature of the transaction, (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
| The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected; |
| The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and |
| The date the report was submitted by the Covered Person. |
ii. | For Newly Established Reportable Accounts Holding ANY Securities |
| The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Covered Person established the account; |
| The date the account was established; and |
| The date the report was submitted by the Covered Person. |
b. | Timing of Transactions Report |
No later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. |
c. | Exception from Transactions Report Requirements |
Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan as well as transactions in securities which are not Covered Securities, and transactions effected in accounts which are not Reportable accounts, are not required to be included in the Quarterly Transaction Report (please see Appendix E).
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Appendix D Specific Country Requirements
(For Covered Persons located in offices outside of the U.S.)
Australia
From time to time the Responsible Entity (RE) of the Australian domiciled Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) may determine certain Covered Persons could be in possession of material, non-public information relating to one or more ETFs for which State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited is the investment advisor, and request a blackout period covering the securities be implemented, whether due to consideration of Australian Securities Exchange listing rules, the insider trading provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 or similar. Typically this may occur during the two weeks prior to the public announcement of income distributions for an ETF.
Upon receipt of a request from the RE, the Ethics Office, or their designee, will review the request and may initiate a blackout period over the relevant ETFs on such terms as are deemed appropriate. Covered Persons to whom a blackout period applies will be advised of the commencement, duration and other specifics of any such blackout period. Any trading in contravention of the blackout period will be treated as an instance of non-compliance with this Code.
United Kingdom
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules on personal account dealing are contained in the FCA Conduct of Business Sourcebook (COBS).
Under COBS, any of the Advisors based in the U.K. must take reasonable steps to ensure that any investment activities conducted by Covered Persons do not conflict with the Advisors duties to its customers. In ensuring this is, and continues to be, the case, the Advisors must ensure they have in place processes and procedures which enable them to identify and record any Covered Person transactions and permission to continue with any transaction is only given where the requirements of COBS are met.
France
At the date of this Code, Covered Persons of SSGAF are required in France to comply, in addition to the Code, with the following provisions:
1. | Laws and regulations |
| the Monetary and Financial Code, and in the particular the rules of good conduct provided in Articles L.533-10 of of the Monetary and Financial Code; |
| the General Regulation of the Financial Markets Authority, and in particular the organizational and good conduct rules provided in Book III of this Regulation; |
| Instructions, recommendations and decisions issued as the case may be by the French Markets Authority. |
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2. | Policies and procedures issued locally by SSGAF: |
| Provisions of the Internal Regulation, as updated on July 1, 2011 |
| Policy relating to management and the prevention of conflicts of interest, as updated on November 1, 2007. |
Further, as indicated in the Code, certain sections of the Code are not applicable in France, or are applicable in a modified version set forth below. References are to section headings used in the Code.
3. Definitions
O. Private Placement: In France, a Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration or which is not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under certain relevant provisions of French law and regulation and/or similar laws of jurisdictions outside of France (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). In France, the rules relating to Private Placements are set forth in Articles L.411-2 and D.411-1 et seq. of the Monetary and Financial Code.
4. Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons
In France, the requirements of the Code shall not apply to personal transactions entered into under a Discretionary Account management service where there is no prior communication in connection with the transaction between the portfolio manager and the Covered Person.
E. | Reporting Violations |
If a Covered Person in France has reason to believe that a violation of law or regulations relating to internal control procedures in the financial, accounting, banking or anti-corruption areas or that a violation of an interest vital to SSGAF or of the physical or moral integrity of its Covered Persons has been committed, he/she is encouraged to notify the Ethics Office so that SSGAF may carefully examine the facts and take corrective measures.
Covered Persons should identify themselves in order to allow SSGAF to obtain a complete report on the relevant facts as rapidly as possible. Nonetheless, if circumstances require, Covered Persons may communicate the facts anonymously.
The information furnished to the company by a Covered Person believing in good faith that his/her action is necessary to protect SSGAF from illegal or inappropriate behavior will be treated in a strictly confidential and secure manner to the extent allowed by law. Any person identified within the framework of the procedure for reporting violations will have a right to access, obtain further information, and if applicable, object to and correct the data regarding him/her.
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SSGAF will not take any sanctions or retaliatory measures against a Covered Person for reporting suspected violations in good faith. Failure to report will not give rise to any consequences for Covered Persons. However, an abusive use of the reporting procedure may in certain cases expose a Covered Person to sanctions.
H. Disclosure of Reportable Accounts and Holdings (for details on the specific reporting obligations, see Appendix C)
b. Duplicate Statements and Confirms
Each Covered Person in France is responsible for sending to the Ethics Office duplicate securities account statements and duplicate trade confirmations summarizing each transaction, including any Reportable Accounts opened during employment or engagement at SSGAF.
7. Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics
C. Violations and Sanctions
Any potential instances of non-compliance with the provisions of the Code or related policies by Covered Persons in France will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Covered Persons are invited to review the list of misconduct which may, among other violations, give rise to the disciplinary sanctions contemplated by SSGAFs Internal Regulation. If a determination is made that an instance of non-compliance has occurred, the issue will be addressed under the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal and enforcement actions may be imposed by the employer, SSGAF. Material violations will be reported promptly to the respective SSGA Committees, boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds or relevant committees of the boards and related clients.
In France, all sanctions will be notified in writing to the employee concerned, indicating the grounds for the sanction.
Prior to any sanction affecting the duties, career, remuneration or presence of the employee, the following procedure will be implemented:
| The employee will be convened to a prior meeting within the two-month period described in Article L.1332-4 of the Labor Code, by registered letter or by hand delivery against receipt. |
| This letter will state the purpose for the convocation and will indicate the date, place and time of the meeting, as well as the possibility for the employee to be assisted by a person of his/her choice from a list which can be consulted at the town hall of SSGA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex and/or the town hall of the employees domicile (if the employees domicile is located in the same department as the offices of SSGAF), or at the Labor Inspectorate located at SSGA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex. |
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| A preliminary meeting will be held during which the facts relating to the employees alleged misconduct will be presented to the employee and to the person assisting the employee and at which the employees explanations will be obtained. |
| As the case may be depending on the explanations given, a sanction letter will be sent by registered post, return receipt requested, at the earliest one full day and at the latest one month after the meeting. This letter should set forth the grounds for the sanction. |
When the behavior of an employee renders such actions indispensable, conservatory measures may be taken prior to implementing the procedure described above. No sanction may be taken until the procedure has been completed.
The following additional sections are added to Part 7 of the Code in regard to the Codes administration and enforcement in France:
F. Personal Data
In France, data obtained in the context of the administration and enforcement of the Code will be processed in compliance with the Computers and Personal Freedom Act of January 6, 1978, as modified by the Law of August 6, 2004. Pursuant to this law, Covered Persons have access, rectification and objection rights in regard to the data relating to them. They may exercise these rights by contacting the SSGAF Compliance Department. The Ethics Office will be notified of any Covered Persons who invoke the objection rights to provide broker statements to their local Compliance Department.
Certain recipients of personal data are located outside of the EU, in particular the following recipients: SSGA Compliance, Boston, MA, and StarCompliance Software, Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America. The following data will be communicated to such recipients: Covered Persons name, business phone number, business email address, name of brokerage firm, account number, name and amount of securities held in brokerage account. StarCompliance Software, Inc. has obtained and maintains a US-EU Safe Harbor Certification with respect to data protection. The transmission of data to recipients located outside of the EU will be made for the purpose of implementing and coordinating the rules contemplated by this Code.
G. Publicity and Entry into Force
This Code, which has been filed in France with the secretariat of the clerk of the Labor Court of SSGA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex and posted in compliance with the provisions of Articles R.1321-1 and R.1321-2 of the Labor Code, entered into force on December 1, 2009.
It will be provided to all Covered Persons and other relevant persons at the time of hire or arrival on the premises of SSGAF.
Material modifications and additions to these internal rules shall be subject to the same consultation, communication and publicity procedures.
The Code has been previously submitted to the Labor Inspectorate, and is displayed on SSGAFs premises.
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Appendix C- Reporting Obligations
A. Duplicate Statements and Confirmations
Each Covered Person in France is responsible for sending to the Ethics Office duplicate securities account statements and duplicate trade confirmations summarizing each transaction, including any Reportable Accounts opened during employment or engagement at SSGAF- specifically:
| a trade confirmation summarizing each transaction; and |
| account statements (e.g. monthly, quarterly statements). |
This requirement applies to all Reportable Accounts in which a Covered Person has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.
Germany
The German rules on personal account dealing are contained in the Securities Trading Act and specified in more detail by the BaFin circular 4/2010 (WA) MaComp Minimum Requirements for the Compliance Function and Additional Requirements Governing Rules of Conduct, Organisation and Transparency pursuant to Sections 31 et seq. of the Securities Trading Act (WertpapierhandelsgesetzWpHG) for Investment Services Enterprises.
The aforementioned rules cover
| persons who provide investment services directly themselves, as well as all persons who assist these employees by performing both support activities and subsequent control activities. Support functions are regularly performed in particular by research department, compliance department, back office, or IT support staff, assistants, or members of other support areas in an investment services enterprise. Staff members shall be regarded as employees and freelance workers as well as agency workers, temporary staff and interns/trainees at an enterprise; |
| persons who perform these activities without being employees of an investment services enterprise if they work for an enterprise to which activities or processes have been outsourced; and |
| those employees whose activities may give rise to conflicts of interest or who have access to inside information or other confidential information. |
In general, investment services enterprises shall use adequate resources and procedures that are suitable for preventing unlawful personal account dealing of employees. Enterprises are individually responsible for determining which of the employees covered perform activities that could give rise to conflicts of interest or which employees have access to compliance-relevant information by virtue of their activities. Management shall name a unit or the units in the enterprise that is/are entrusted with identifying and regularly monitoring the employees covered. Enterprises are also obliged to maintain an organisational structure that ensures that this unit is regularly informed of the existence of conflicts of interest and of inside and other confidential information within the enterprise.
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Enterprises shall use risk criteria to assess which areas and persons to include; for example, the volume of information available to investment advisers or tied agents may determine whether they are included.
F. Personal Data
In Germany, data obtained in the context of the administration and enforcement of the Code will be processed in compliance with the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz BDSG. In particular, section 32 applies in this context (data collection, processing and use for employment-related purposes). Employees personal data may be collected, processed or used to investigate crimes only if there is a documented reason to believe the data subject has committed a crime while employed, the collection, processing or use of such data is necessary to investigate the crime, and the employee does not have an overriding legitimate interest in ruling out the possibility of collection, processing or use, and in particular the type and extent are not disproportionate to the reason.
Switzerland
F. Personal Data
In Switzerland, personal data may only be processed lawfully. Its processing must be carried out in good faith and must be proportionate. Personal data may only be processed for the purpose indicated at the time of collection, that is evident from the circumstances, or that is provided for by law. The collection of personal data and in particular the purpose of its processing must be evident to the data subject. If the consent of the data subject is required for the processing of personal data, such consent is valid only if given voluntarily on the provision of adequate information. Additionally, consent must be given expressly in the case of processing of sensitive personal data or personality profiles.
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Italy
At the date of this Code, SSGAs Covered Persons are required in Italy to comply, in addition to the Code, with the following provisions:
Laws and regulations
| Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the Italian Financial Act), containing, inter alia, general provisions concerning investment services; |
| Legislative Decree No. 231 of 21 November 2007, as amended (the Anti-money Laundering Act), containing, inter alia, the duty to identify each client and subsequently record his data, as well as to keep a unified electronic archive and to notify any suspect transactions; |
| Regulation No.16190 of 29 October 2007, adopted by CONSOB (the Intermediaries Regulation), with reference to the investment services and the financial activities carried out in Italy; |
| instructions containing information duties and statistical reporting requirements, recommendations and decisions issued as the case may be by any Italian supervisory authorities, including CONSOB and the Bank of Italy. |
Further, as indicated in the Code, certain sections of the Code are not applicable in Italy, or are applicable in a modified version set forth below. References are to section headings used in the Code.
2. Statement of General Fiduciary Principles
Please note that in Italy, the Code does not necessarily apply to transactions of family members or persons in a similar relationship to you. Rather, the Code applies to your personal transactions and related activities, and any transactions of which you are a direct or indirect beneficiary.
In this regard, please also see this Appendix D Italy III. Definitions A. Categories of Employees Covered Person.
3. Definitions
A. Categories of EmployeesCovered Person: In Italy, a Covered Person includes employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office. Covered Person also includes certain designated contingent workers engaged at SSGA, including but not limited to consultants, contractors, and temporary help. Covered Persons are subject to the provisions of this Code. Persons related to an employee or a contingent worker, such as spouses, children and other relatives living in the employees or the contingent workers household are not covered by the Code, except to the extent the employee or the contingent worker is a direct or indirect beneficiary of transactions entered into by such persons.
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O. Private Placement: In Italy, a Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration or which is not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under certain relevant provisions of Italian law and regulation and/or similar laws of jurisdictions outside of Italy (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). In Italy, the rules relating to Private Placements are set forth in Article 100 of the Italian Financial Act, as implemented by CONSOB.
4. Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons
C. Reporting Violations
If a Covered Person in Italy has reason to believe that a violation of law or regulations relating to internal control procedures in the financial, accounting, banking or anti-corruption areas or that an instance of non-compliance of an interest vital to SSGA or of the physical or moral integrity of its Covered Persons has been committed, he/she is encouraged to notify the Ethics Office so that SSGA may carefully examine the facts and the Ethics Office may take corrective measures.
Covered Persons should identify themselves in order to allow SSGA to obtain a complete report on the relevant facts as rapidly as possible. Nonetheless, if circumstances require, Covered Persons may communicate the facts anonymously.
The Italian branch of SSGA will not take any sanctions or retaliatory measures against a Covered Person for reporting suspected instances of non-compliance in good faith. Failure to report will not give rise to any consequences for employees. However, an abusive use of the reporting procedure may in certain cases expose a Covered Person to sanctions.
D. Certification of Receipt and Compliance
With reference to Italy, further to the provisions set forth under the Code, the following shall apply.
The Code is displayed on the premises of the Italian branch of SSGA and constitutes an integral part of its disciplinary code.
7. Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics
C. Violations and Sanctions
The requirements of this Code have a binding value vis-à-vis the Covered Persons of the Italian branch of SSGA and are to be considered in addition to the provisions contained in the disciplinary code in force within the Italian branch of SSGA.
Any potential violation of the provisions of the Code or related policies by Covered Persons in Italy will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Violations of the Code are reported to the EMG. If a determination is made that an instance of non-compliance has occurred, a sanction may be imposed in accordance with the State Street Compliance Enforcement ProcedureGlobal and pursuant to the rules established by Italian Law and by the applicable national collective bargaining agreement.
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As discussed in the State Street Compliance Enforcement Procedure- Global, enforcement shall be differentiated and graduated based on the seriousness of the individual breaches, taking into consideration the objective circumstances, the intentionality, the existence of justifications, the recidivism and the possible repetition of the conducts concerned.
Enforcement may also apply to any supervisor who directs or approves such actions, or has knowledge of them and does not promptly correct them. Conduct which violates this Code may also violate laws and therefore subject the offending Covered Person to civil and criminal liabilities as well.
SSGA may also be subject to prosecution and fines for the conduct of its employees. Reimbursement of losses of damages deriving from any breach of this Code will be requested to the employees according to the procedures set forth by the applicable national collective bargaining agreement.
In Italy, prior to inflict to employee any sanction deriving from possible violations of this Code, the specific disciplinary procedure provided for by Law. No. 300/1970 (the so called Workers Statute) shall be implemented.
In particular, the Ethics Office shall notify in writing to the employee concerned the facts relating to the alleged misconduct and shall ask the employee concerned to furnish his/her justifications within 5 days from the receipt of such disciplinary letter.
The disciplinary sanction, if any, shall be adopted following the 5-days term granted to the employee to render his/her justifications.
The disciplinary sanctions shall be proportional to the employees behaviour in breach.
F. Personal Data
In Italy the personal data of the Covered Persons shall be processed in compliance with Legislative Decree n. 196 of 30 June 2003, concerning personal data protection.
Pursuant to Covered Persons have access, rectification and objection rights in regard to the data relating to them. They may exercise these rights by contacting the Ethics Office. The Ethics Office will be notified of any Covered Persons who invoke the objection rights to provide broker statements to their local Compliance Department.
Certain recipients of personal data are located outside of the EU, in particular the following recipients: SSGA Compliance, Boston, MA, and StarCompliance Software, Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America. The following data will be communicated to such recipients: Covered Persons name, business phone number, business email address, name of brokerage firm, account number, name and amount of securities held in brokerage account. StarCompliance Software, Inc. has obtained and maintains a US-EU Safe Harbor Certification with respect to data protection. The transmission of data to recipients located outside of the EU will be made for the purpose of implementing and coordinating the rules contemplated by this Code.
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Japan
To comply with local regulatory requirements in Japan, in addition to the other requirements of this Code, the following modifications are added for Japanese Covered Persons.
1. | Covered Persons in Japan are subject to a minimum holding period of 6 months regardless of whether a transaction would result in the Covered Person realizing a loss or profit. (Section V. B. ShortTerm Trading) This requirement applies to equities, equity warrants, convertible bonds and other equity related products, and does not apply to ETFs, mutual funds, and non-convertible bonds. |
2. | There is no de minimis exception available to Investment Personnel in Japan who work in the active equity group. (Section VI. A. Blackout Period) |
3. | If a Covered Person in Japan intends to deal with a Japanese broker (JSDA member only) for equities, equity warrants, convertible bonds and other equity related products, the Covered Person must obtain a special certification (Jibadashi-syoumei) from SSGA Japan compliance. |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 34/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Appendix E Security Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements
This list is not all inclusive and may be updated from time to time. Contact the Ethics Office for additional guidance as needed.
Security Type |
Covered Security? |
Pre-clearance
|
Subject to Short Term
|
Transactions and
|
||||
Equity securities (publicly traded) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
REITs (publicly traded real estate investment trusts) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
State Street stock (STT) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Money market mutual funds | No | No | No | No | ||||
Open-end mutual funds, UCITs, SICAVs, unlisted managed investment schemes not advised or sub-advised by SSGA | No | No | No | No | ||||
Open-end mutual funds advised and sub-advised by SSGA (except SSGA Money Market funds) | Yes | Yes |
See Section 4.F.
Covered Persons are subject to the same policies prohibiting excessive trading that apply to all shareholders in Reportable Funds. These policies, as described in the Reportable Funds prospectuses, are subject to change. |
Yes |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 35/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Security Type |
Covered Security? |
Pre-clearance
|
Subject to Short Term
|
Transactions and
|
||||
ETFs | Yes | Yes* |
No*
(*except the actively managed ETFs where the Investment Solutions Group (ISG) is prohibited from buying and selling or selling and buying actively managed SSGA ETFs within 60 days) |
Yes | ||||
ETNs | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | ||||
All closed-end mutual funds (also known as investment trusts in U.K. and listed investment companies in Australia) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
High Yield Bond securities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Corporate Bond securities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Municipal Bond securities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
U.S. Treasury securities and other direct obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government or other sovereign government or supranational agencies | No | No | No | No | ||||
US Agency securities, such as FHLMC and FNMA, and other debt obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government or other sovereign government or supranational agencies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
High quality short-term debt instruments, cash, bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit (CDs), commercial paper, repurchase agreements. | No | No | No | No | ||||
Transactions in Employer Stock Ownership Programs (ESOPs) and automatic investments in programs where the investment decisions are non-discretionary after the initial selections by the account owner. | Yes | The initial selection and any change in selection must be pre-cleared. | Yes | Yes, where Covered Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest in any Covered Securities held by the plan. |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 36/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Security Type |
Covered Security? |
Pre-clearance
|
Subject to Short Term
|
Transactions and
|
||||
Hedge Funds and other Private Placements | Yes | Yes*You must submit a completed Private Placement Request Form to Compliance for approval before participating and before entering a PTAF to either buy or sell. | Yes | Yes | ||||
Fixed insurance products | No | No | No | No | ||||
Educational Savings Plans (such as IRC Section 529 plans) which only allow unaffiliated collective investment schemes | No | No | No | No | ||||
Voluntary rights, warrants or tender offers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Company Stock Options received from State Street or a former employer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
Options (other than Company Stock Options received from employer) | Not permitted under the Code. | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||||
Futures | Not permitted under the Code. | n/a | n/a | n/a | ||||
Contract for Difference (CFD) and Spread Bets | Not permitted under the Code. | n/a | n/a | n/a |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 37/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Appendix F Designated Brokers
The Designated Broker policy applies to Covered Persons in the United States. See Section 4. S.
| Charles Schwab |
| Citi |
| E-Trade |
| Fidelity Investments |
| Interactive Brokers |
| Merrill Lynch |
| Morgan Stanley |
| Scottrade |
| TD Ameritrade |
| UBS |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 38/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Appendix G Contacts
Questions or Concerns about Policies or Situations
| The Ethics Office (ethics@statestreet.com) |
Actual or Possible Violations of Policy
| The Ethics Office (ethics@statestreet.com) |
| The Network (Confidential) |
333 Research Court, Norcross, GA 30092 USA
US and Canada | 1 888 736 9833 | |
Austria | 0 80 200 288 then 1 888 736 9833 | |
Australia | 1 800 08 7428 | |
Belgium | 0800 7 5651 | |
Cayman Islands | 1 888 736 9833 | |
China |
Telecom South: 10 800 110 0731 China Netcom Group: 10 800 711 0788 |
|
France | 0800 91 2790 | |
Germany | 0800 180 8934 | |
Hong Kong | 800 90 3272 | |
India | 000 800 100 1389 | |
Japan |
KDD: 00531 11 4442 Cable & Wireless IDC: 0066 33 801143 Softbank Telecom: 0066 33 112661 NTT: 0034 800 900131 |
|
South Korea | 00798 11 002 1599 |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 39/40 |
Code of Ethics | SSGACOE_Nov2015_1 |
Luxembourg | 800 2 7148 | |
Netherlands | 0800 022 7427 | |
Poland | 0 0 800 111 1730 | |
Singapore | 800 110 1607 | |
South Africa | 0800 981 281 | |
Switzerland | 0800 89 6872 | |
Taiwan | 00801 10 4147 | |
UAE | 0 800 121 then 1 888 736 9833 | |
UK | 0808 234 4889 |
State Street Global Advisors | ssga.com | 40/40 |
SPDR SERIES TRUST
SPDR INDEX SHARES TRUST
SSGA ACTIVE TRUST
SSGA MASTER TRUST
CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
I. | OVERVIEW |
The Board of Trustees (the Board ) of SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Trust, SSGA Active Trust and SSGA Master Trust (each, a Trust and, together, the Trusts ) has adopted this code of ethics (the Code ) applicable to Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trusts (each series of the Trusts, a Fund and, collectively, the Funds ), as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act ) (the Independent Trustees ).
The purpose of the Code is to help to ensure that the Independent Trustees of the Trusts place the interests of the Funds and their shareholders ahead of the Independent Trustees own personal interests. This Code has been adopted in recognition of the Independent Trustees fiduciary obligations to Fund shareholders and in accordance with various provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Code, however, does not address every ethical issue that might arise. It is important for the Independent Trustees to be sensitive to investments that may compromise their independence, directly or indirectly. The Code applies to appearance as well as substance. Always consider how any action might appear to an outside observer such as a regulator. If you have any doubt after consulting the Code, please contact the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer.
The Code is separate and distinct from the code of ethics that the Board has adopted as the Trusts code of ethics applicable to the Trusts and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., the Funds investment adviser (the Adviser ), and their officers, directors, and employees. It is the policy of the Trusts that all current, and any new, Access Persons (as defined in the Trusts code of ethics) of the Trusts who are not Independent Trustees shall be subject to the Advisers code of ethics. A violation of the Advisers code of ethics by an Access Person of the Trusts shall constitute a violation of the Trusts Code of Ethics and shall be reported to the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer. Reports filed by Access Persons of the Trusts under the Advisers code of ethics shall at all times be available to the Trusts.
This Code is administered by the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer of the Trusts (the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer ).
A. | Personal Investment Activities |
It is unlawful for an Independent Trustee in connection with his or her purchase or sale (directly or indirectly) of a Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund (as defined in Appendix A hereto) to:
| employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a Fund; |
| make any untrue statement of material fact to a Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to a Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; |
| engage in any act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a Fund; or |
| engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a Fund. |
Following notice to each of the Independent Trustees, a personal trading blackout may be put in place in connection with purchases and sales of shares of a Fund up until the release of certain information regarding such Fund to the public. Reasons for a personal trading blackout with respect to a Fund may include, but are not limited to: (i) an upcoming change in portfolio management; (ii) a planned reorganization of the Fund, including a merger into an existing Fund; or (iii) an anticipated dissolution/liquidation of the Fund. Please note that information in connection with a blackout period regarding a Fund is confidential and must not be discussed with, or disclosed to, anyone outside of the Adviser and the Board.
B. | Personal Trading Reporting Obligations |
Except as provided below, an Independent Trustee is ordinarily not required to report his or her personal securities transactions or identify his or her brokerage accounts to the Trusts or its representatives under this Code.
An Independent Trustee is required to deliver to the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer a transaction report containing the information set forth in Appendix B if the Independent Trustee actually knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as an Independent Trustee, should have known, that during the fifteen calendar day period immediately before or after a transaction by such Independent Trustee in a Covered Security (as defined in Appendix A , and including securities both directly and indirectly beneficially owned by such Independent Trustee) (i) a Fund purchased or sold such Covered Security or (ii) a Fund or the Adviser considered purchasing or selling such Covered Security. This provision is intended to refer to specific knowledge, not general awareness based on a Funds investment objective or underlying index.
Purchases or sales of securities:
(i) | which will not cause the Independent Trustee to gain improperly a personal profit as a result of such Independent Trustees relationship with the Trusts, or |
(ii) | which are only remotely potentially harmful to a Fund because the proposed transaction would be unlikely to affect a highly institutional market, or based on market capitalization of a security, or |
(iii) | which, because of the circumstances of the proposed transaction, are not related economically to the securities purchased or sold or to be purchased or sold by a Fund, and in each case which are previously approved by the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, which approval shall be confirmed in writing |
are permitted under the provisions of this Code.
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No reporting is required under this Code in respect of any account for which an Independent Trustee has contractually authorized an independent third party broker or advisor to have full investment discretion over the account and trade securities in the account without prior consent from the Independent Trustee for each transaction.
C. | Gifts and Entertainment |
For purposes of this Code, a gift is anything of value that is received without the recipient paying the retail or customary costs. Business entertainment includes, but is not limited to, business-related meals, social events, sports events, tickets and related travel.
An Independent Trustees may receive a gift or business entertainment in his or her capacity as an Independent Trustee, in their own discretion, so long as the Independent Trustee considers such gift or entertainment to be appropriate as to time and place, and reasonable in cost.
D. | Administration of Code |
| Review of Reports. The Code of Ethics Compliance Officer or Trustee Committee of the Board shall review any reports delivered by an Independent Trustee pursuant to this Code. |
| Investigations of Potential Violations. The Code of Ethics Compliance Officer shall report all potential violations of this Code by an Independent Trustee to the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer or Trustee Committee. The Trusts Chief Compliance Officer or Trustee Committee of the Trusts, with the assistance of the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, shall investigate any potential violation of the provisions of this Code. After completion of such investigation, the Trustee Committee shall determine whether a violation has occurred and, if so, make a recommendation to the Board as to any action to be taken in response thereto. The Code of Ethics Compliance Officer and/or the Board shall notify the President of the Trusts of any violations and the action to be taken in response thereto. Any member of the Trustee Committee who is alleged to have been involved in a violation shall be excluded from any such investigation and vote as to whether a violation has occurred or with respect to any action to be taken. |
| Recordkeeping. All records required to be maintained pursuant to this Code shall be maintained in accordance with applicable securities laws. |
| Amendments. Any amendment to this Code must be approved by a majority of the Trustees of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Code of Ethics Compliance Officer will periodically review this Code and is responsible for obtaining any required approvals before this Code is amended in a material respect. |
|
Annual Report. On at least an annual basis, (i) the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, in consultation with the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer or Trustee Committee, shall provide the Board with a written report that describes issues |
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that arose under this Code since the prior such report, including, but not limited to, information relating to material violations of this Code and any actions taken, procedures adopted or sanctions imposed as a result of such violations, and (ii) the Code of Ethics Compliance Officer shall provide the Board with a certification that the Trusts have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent the Independent Trustees from violating this Code. |
ADOPTED: November 12, 2015
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APPENDIX A
Definition of Covered Security and Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund
A. | Covered Security means any security, as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, except: |
1. | Direct obligations of the Government of the United States; |
2. | Bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and |
3. | Shares issued by U.S. registered open-end mutual funds. |
B. | Security Held or to be Acquired by a Fund means: |
1. | Any Covered Security which, within the most recent 15 calendar days: |
| Is or has been held by a Fund; or |
| Is being or has been considered by a Fund or the Adviser for purchase by a Fund; and |
2. | Any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security described in B(1) above. |
APPENDIX B
Transaction Report
| Date of the transaction: |
| Security Name: |
| Security Ticker/Symbol: |
| The interest rate and maturity date (if applicable): |
| Number of shares/principal amount of each Covered Security involved: |
| The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition): |
| The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected: |
| The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with or through which the transaction was effected: |
| Transaction Report Date (No later than thirty (30) calendar days after the end of a calendar quarter in which the reportable transaction occurred.): |